The 10 Best Swiss Army Knives For Outings or Everyday Life

The Fieldmaster is a medium-sized Swiss Army knife that’s a great all-rounder with 15 functions gained via 9 distinct tools. (Creative types may even be able to devise more than 15 functions, but that’s how many Victorinox claims.)

The Fieldmaster works well as a camping and outdoor knife thanks to its saw, small and large blades, and can opener, but its screwdrivers and scissors are ideal for everyday use, making this a solid choice for almost anyone.

The tool I find myself most grateful for at odd times is the tweezers, which have helped me fiddle with small parts on fix-it jobs and pull tiny cactus spines out of my hands while hiking.

The most affordable SAK may also be the most widely owned: the Classic SD. Slim and small, this knife weighs under 1 ounce and is less than 1 inch thin, so it slips easily into a pocket or bag.

Three of the tools fold out from the body: the small stainless steel blade, which flicks out via nail nick, the scissors, and nail file. You also get a plastic toothpick and tweezers hidden behind the scales, which get used more often than you would imagine.

While the Classic comes in—of course!— the classic red that’s been around more than 100 years, there are nine alternate colorways. Simply said, this is the perfect SAK for everyday life, and won't set you back an obscene amount.

While any SAK is better than none when venturing into the wilderness, the Ranger 79 M Grip stands apart from others in significant ways, making it more practical. Most obvious is its polyamide scales with rubberized grip pads, which makes it easy to keep a firm hold on your tool while wearing gloves or dealing with wet conditions.

The large blade, which comes with an oversized thumb hole enabling one-handed operation (like many modern pocket knives), is clutch when your other hand is occupied with a task. The wood saw, another nod to this knife’s intended use, is complemented by a can opener, screwdrivers, punch/awl, and corkscrew to round out the offerings.

The blade locks out firmly, making it more useful for difficult cutting and prying tasks around camp. This is a larger SAK and it’ll feel heavier in your pocket, but the bigger tools and increased capabilities are worth a few extra ounces.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks changed air travel drastically—almost overnight—now making it impossible to carry on one’s trusty pocket knife or Swiss Army knife in most countries.

While TSA specifically prohibits most Swiss Army knives, the Jetsetter (per the name) is designed to be air travel-friendly by omitting the usual blade, and equally important, any sharp tools other than scissors.

Obviously, the functionality is limited on this streamlined option, but you still get the very useful scissors, a magnetic combo tool that includes bottle opener and Phillips screwdriver, toothpick, and tweezers. If you’re checking a bag, any Swiss Army knife can fly below the deck, but if you’re traveling light, the Jetsetter is the best tool you can carry that won’t raise red flags in security.

If you’re looking for a tiny SAK that won’t weigh down your pants or your keychain, this slim version of the classic knife is just over half an ounce and 0.2 inches thin.

You get the essentials: a small blade, tiny scissors, and a nail file with a flat-head screwdriver tip. There’s also a small key ring attached for hook up to a bag or keychain, ensuring this SAK is always with you when you need it, particularly if you don’t like pocket-carrying.

The textured aluminum (Alox, in Victorinox terminology) adds grip, making it easier to hold this miniscule tool, even for larger hands.

People value a Swiss Army knife for the many tools it packs in a small form factor, but that small size can make these gadgets unwieldy for more demanding tasks, especially for folks with larger hands.

If you’re shopping for a SAK for bigger jobs and/or bigger hands, the WorkChamp XL is one of Victorinox’s biggest and most feature-packed tools.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or tradesman, the WorkChamp XL can save you from running to your toolbox for every little task with its 31 listed functions. I won’t list every one of them here, but there’s a focus on actual tools with lots of drivers and cutting tools for wood, metal, and wire. Perhaps the most useful inclusion that doesn’t show up in most smaller SAKs is a small pair of pliers.

While it shares the same basic design as traditional SAKs, the Rescue Tool is an oversized, capable take on the SAK purpose-built for emergencies and first responders.

Victorinox developed the Rescue Tool with first responders, and in addition to everyday tools such as toothpick and screwdrivers, there are specialized rescue implements like a glass saw, seatbelt cutter, and glass breaker. The Rescue Tool comes with a canvas pouch for belt carry, but it’s also a great addition to a “go bag” or vehicle emergency kit.

There is no shortage of options when it comes to modern folding pocket knives, but Victorinox’s Evoke BS Alox is a Red Dot Design Award-winning entry into the everyday carry category.

Unlike SAKs, this isn’t a multi-tool with lots of small tools—it is just a classic drop-point blade that flips out and locks via a secure lockback mechanism. There’s a thumb stud for easy one-hand operation, but it’s removable if you prefer.

There’s a lanyard hole and stainless steel pocket clip, but that's about it. This is designed to be an affordable, stylish pocket knife from the folks that make Swiss Army knives.

The original Swiss Army knife was made for a different time. While the utility of a blade and scissors haven’t gone away, modern technology demands updated functions from a multi-tool.

Victorinox’s Cyber Tool M meets those needs with an electronics-minded 32-function SAK packed with specialized bits and wire tools. You still get a can opener and corkscrew, but the highlights here are a bit driver with interchangeable bits, a wire cutter, and wire crimper. This is a specialized option—perfect for the electronics hobbyist or computer professional who wants their most-used tools at-hand at all times.

First introduced in 1997, the Swiss Card puts 10 functions into a unique credit-card size package that breaks sharply from the classic SAK design.

Only 4 mm thick, it’s technically a few times thicker than your average credit card, but the SwissCard Classic stows seven essential tools in a supremely thin package you can stash in a pocket or wallet. Believe it or not, the card weighs less than 1 ounce but includes a small blade, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, pin, file, and pen.