Key ring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe Farmer model at the top has the reamer extending from the end of the handle, rather than the middle as shown on the Huntsman below; (photo\/Jim Cobb)<\/p>\n
Now, truth be told, a keyring isn\u2019t really what I\u2019d consider to be a tool, more just a feature. But Victorinox counts it as a tool in its list, so I\u2019ll do the same.<\/p>\n
If I had my druthers, the one change I\u2019d make to the Huntsman is its tool layout. The reamer\/punch\/awl is located on the underside and unfolds such that it sticks out from the middle of the handle. While this arrangement works well for the corkscrew sitting next to it, the reamer would be much better served if it opened like the knife blade and unfolded at the end of the handle. That would give the user better control.<\/p>\n
As a bonus, the reamers on Swiss Army knives happen to work great for scraping sparks from ferrocerium rods for firestarting. While that can be done with the Huntsman\u2019s configuration, it\u2019d be easier with the reamer at the end of the handle.<\/p>\n
Materials and Design<\/h3>\n
The knife blade is thin and easy to maneuver. These shavings are perfect for firestarting; (photo\/Jim Cobb)<\/p>\n
The Huntsman is considered a medium-sized pocket knife in the Victorinox lineup. The handle is 3.6 inches long. It\u2019s about 0.75 inch high and 0.75 inch thick. The listed weight is 3.4 ounces, which matches what I found with my postal scale.<\/p>\n
Victorinox uses a proprietary Martensitic stainless steel for many of its knives, including the Huntsman. It has great corrosion resistance and takes a pretty decent edge. But it is a softer steel, thus you might find it dulls more quickly than some other steels with frequent use.<\/p>\n
The handle scales are the typical plastic found on traditional Swiss Army knives. It\u2019s durable and holds up well to both use and pocket wear. The Huntsman is available in nine different handle colors, including a few camouflage prints. Personally, I\u2019m not big on using a camo print for my knives, as if I set it down or drop it, I want it to stand out so I can find it easily.<\/p>\n
Like many slip-joint pocket knives, the blades and other tools on the Huntsman are accessed via nail nicks. However, a few of these were difficult to access, more so than I\u2019ve seen on other Swiss Army knives. This isn\u2019t a huge problem to overcome, but it was definitely noticeable.<\/p>\n
The wood saw makes the job of notching branches very easy; (photo\/Jim Cobb)<\/p>\n
Over the last 4 weeks or so, I\u2019ve played around with almost all of the tools on the Huntsman. We\u2019re not wine drinkers, so the corkscrew remains untested. However, I have little doubt that it would be up to the task. I do recall one instance during my misspent youth where we used the corkscrew on whichever Swiss Army knife I was carrying to open a bottle of very cheap wine. It must have been good stuff, as that\u2019s about all I remember from that evening.<\/p>\n
Outside of the large knife blade, the wood saw is the tool I\u2019ve used the most. It really works well for making notches and such. It\u2019s no Silky Saw by any means, but for a tool you can carry just about anywhere, the Huntsman\u2019s saw is outstanding.<\/p>\n
The tweezers have never been a true highlight on a Swiss Army knife, and that holds true with the Huntsman. They\u2019ll do okay with small splinters, but beyond that, you\u2019re going to want to get something a little stiffer. The toothpick does okay with getting bits of steak or pork chop unstuck.<\/p>\n
The scissors work great on paracord, which saves a little wear on the knife blade over time; (photo\/Jim Cobb)<\/p>\n
The Huntsman\u2019s scissors are small, but are perhaps a little more robust than they appear. I used it to cut up some paracord, and there were no problems at all. The scissors made short work of the cordage, and they sprang open easily after each cut.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d never want to rely on a folding knife\u2019s screwdriver for a major repair, but the ones on the Huntsman are about as good as you\u2019ll find anywhere else.<\/p>\n
I think one of the best performance features of the Huntsman is its familiarity. Many of us have used one or another flavor of Swiss Army knife before. Getting the Huntsman in hand, you know going in what to expect in terms of feel and heft. It\u2019s not awkward nor clumsy. It\u2019s as familiar as an old friend.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s With the Hook?<\/h3>\n
The multipurpose hook does well as a pot lifter when you\u2019re in camp; (photo\/Jim Cobb)<\/p>\n
One tool that puzzled me for a bit is the multipurpose hook. This is a tool that debuted in 1991 and has stuck around ever since. It\u2019s also been called a parcel hook. I did a little digging and learned the original intended use of the hook was to help carry packages wrapped with string. The idea is you open the hook, hang the parcel from it, and then use the knife as something like a handle for carrying.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a neat idea, but the last time I remember getting a box or parcel wrapped with string was about 40 years ago at a mom-n-pop bakery. However, that doesn\u2019t mean the tool has no practical use today. It can serve as an ersatz marlinspike for busting tight knots. Doing so might take a little creative maneuvering to get the hook into the right spot, but it works.<\/p>\n
In camp, it works fairly well with lifting pots off the fire if said pot has a bail. It\u2019s not ideal, as your hand is directly over the heat, but it does the job. The hook can also be used to pull stakes when it\u2019s time to break down the tent.<\/p>\n
Who Needs This Knife?<\/h2>\n
The Huntsman is a practical choice for campers and hikers who want plenty of functionality in one compact pocket knife; (photo\/Jim Cobb)<\/p>\n
The Huntsman is an ideal pocket knife for those who spend a fair amount of time in camp or on the trail. It might not qualify as an ultralight option for those who cut handles from their toothbrushes, but for the rest of us it works great.<\/p>\n
Is it the very best Swiss Army knife on the market? That\u2019s a tough claim to make, but you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find one better suited for use beyond where the sidewalks end. Given the $52 price and tremendous functionality of the Huntsman, it\u2019s an incredible value.<\/p>\n
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