Victorinox Ranger

The Victorinox Ranger is i believe the only five layer model in the officers line up ? And this means you do get all the back layer tools from the swisschamp ,although you will need the mini screwdriver and pin as extras ! This model is very like the famous master craftsman, that was used by NASA on board the shuttles in the 80s , the only difference being the substitute of the corkscrew for a Philips screwdriver! Sadly Victorinox discontinued that model some time back for some reason? The Ranger is a great choice if you cant decide between the Huntsman or Mountaineer as you get both in this model ! Alittle bulky for pocket carry though ? This model comes in red only and there are two versions ,one plan red one ,this model that HH have with camping printed on the front scale for some reason ? The Ranger is a very tool dence package with as said all the back tools but it doesn't have a proper philips driver on it so like so many models from Victorinox is really showing its age ? Especially when nearly every screw is a Philips now a days ! yes the can opener can be used but its a compromise! I would much prefer the old Master craftsman model to this is as near as i could get ! Dropped a star for that reason only Service from HH was again red hot with standard delivery arriving next day !

In my work as a shoemaker and life as a gardener and all-round maker, I feel naked without this knife. Keeping it razor sharp with a gatco sharpener and having added small serrations to one blade of the scissors, I use it to cut everything from thick soling leather to delicate linings. The various screwdrivers, file and scissors allow me to change threads and needles on sewing machines, remove the burr from needles and trim threads from the work. The hook is useful for pulling threads and leather thongs through tight gaps. The end of the file/saw is perfect for marking and scoring leather, metal and wood, and the small chisel makes the perfect slots for certain flat buckle tongs, and the metal wings on many fasteners such as turn locks and magnetic catches. The wood saw has got me out of trouble often - from cutting holes for pipes in floor and skirting boards to keying thick leather ready for gluing. After nearly 15 years of daily use for work, and the opening of many hundreds of bottles and cans, my blades are wearing thin - oh for some carbon steel - and the eventual replacement for this knife will surely come from heinnie. Luckily I have been able to replace the handle shells and scissor spring approximately every two years, necessitated by wear and tear, keeping this knife ever ready. Of the victorinox officers' knives, this is the largest that has no vacant spaces on the back, making it feel like a really compact, efficient option. It is my daily helper and occasional saviour. If victorinox made a pocket bicycle tool of this quality, I would surely feel utterly complete!

I took it on a trip to Costa Rica and it turned out to be more useful than I expected. It's legal almost everywhere in the world, and does lots of different things: trimming finger nails (mine and missus' too), cutting thick string, opening coconuts. Tough and durable.

A great tool for your bag or in a pouch(too big for pocket). Same quality as always, had mine for more years than I can remember.