Since 1997, I have owned a Victorinox Bantam Swiss Army Knife.  It was given to me as a gift from a manufacturer’s rep for an electronics manufacturing company and I used it a lot over the years.  Since Victorinox still manufactures this model, I thought a product review was in order.

This model comes with a blade, a combination tool, tweezers, and a toothpick.  The combination tool can perform several tasks but is primarily used as a bottle or can opener.  It also has a flat-head screwdriver tool and a wire stripper, but these are less prominent uses for the tool.  Having a set of tweezers handy is more valuable than you might think, especially when it comes to removing stickers or needles in desert climates.  All this in a nice rounded package that is just the right size for adult hands.

In my experience, I use the blade most of the time and it has stood up well to use.  The stainless steel shows no signs of corrosion or pitting, even after almost seventeen years of use.  The length and width of the blade are the right dimension for what I use it for, mostly around the home and in my office.  Normally I don’t take it with me camping, hiking, or biking because of its Achilles Heel.

The biggest problem with the Bantam is has limited practical value because it lacks tools.  The Tourist is only slightly larger but contains more useful tools that really come in handy.  The Bantam is better than nothing, but these days there are other tools out there that do more and are contemporary designs.  Perhaps the classic design of traditional Swiss Army Knives is contributing to this model’s limited value as a multi-tool.

Pros:  Classic design and excellent quality, this tool stands the test of time

Cons:  Only three tools limits its value and functionality

The strange thing about this Swiss Army Knife is that I love it and have used it regularly since I got it.  However, I would only recommend it as a novelty and not as a daily carry item.  Like the Buck 759-series, it is a well-made and cool tool that is hampered by its limited features.  That said, I hope to keep mine until the day I die.

Rating:  5/10

Click here to buy the Victorinox Swiss Army Bantam Pocket Knife, Red