Are you curious about the Victorinox Classic SD? Read on to learn more about this compact Swiss Army Knife and how it compares to the Victorinox Rambler.
It’s incredibly handy having a small knife as part of your EDC. When it comes to small pocket knives, Victorinox’s Swiss Army Knives are the classic.
In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on the Victorinox Classic SD to help you decide if it’d be a good knife for your everyday carry. I’ll also compare it to the Victorinox Rambler.
Quick Take
The Victorinox Classic SD is an awesome little multi-tool with very few cons. If you’re looking for a knife for small everyday tasks like opening packages, it’s a fantastic option.
If you don’t mind having a knife that’s a little bulkier, you can opt for the Rambler which has all of the Classic SD features plus a few additional features.
What Tools Are on the Classic SD?
The Classic SD is indeed a Swiss Army Knife. Here are its functions:
- Small blade
- Scissors
- Nail file
- Screwdriver
- Key ring
- Toothpick
- Tweezers
That’s a lot of functionality in a very small package!
What I Like
The Classic SD is a fantastic little knife. I wear it on my keyring every day. To be honest, I mostly use it for opening packages which it’s very handy for. However, I have found some of the other features to come in clutch.
The scissors are a real stand-out feature. You can use them to open plastic packages, cut the tags off of clothing, cut paper and cardboard, cut thread or fishing line, etc.
I’m kind of blown away by how strong the scissors are even though they’re so small.
Speaking of small, this knife is tiny, and I love that about it. It has a very small footprint which is exactly what I need for my everyday carry. I haven’t had any trouble taking into a music venue or even the DMV.
It’s a very small, utilitarian-looking knife. It’s not weapon-like. You can’t bring it in your carry-on when flying, though, because there is a blade.
The purpose of a toothpick is pretty obvious, and it is a helpful addition. I use it pretty frequently. Obviously, it’s not sanitary to put the toothpick back in the sheath unwashed so make sure you wash it. Even if it’s just in a bathroom sink with hot water and a drop of hand soap.
The tweezers are a feature I don’t use much, but they’ve been super helpful when I’ve needed them. I’ve even used them to remove a splinter in my finger. It saved me a lot of discomfort not having to worry about being unable to remove a splinter when I wasn’t at home.
It’s a thoughtful addition that this knife includes a nail file. The file works surprisingly quickly and well. It’s not as convenient as using nail clippers, but it does the job just fine.
I haven’t used the screwdriver much as I usually have a bigger one handy when I need it, but I can say that the screwdriver on the Classic SD does function well for its size.
Another great thing about the Classic SD is that it comes in tons of different colors. You can find everything from translucent colors to camouflage to knives with a shamrock or the star of David on them.
I chose the classic red with the white logo, but I also have a hunter green one because someone I know found it on the ground and gave it to me.
Room for Improvement
There are very few cons to the Classic SD. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the tweezers and the toothpick might get lost. I lost the toothpick once, only to find it under my car seat weeks later.
I’m not sure how it got lost, but I’m guessing it could’ve fallen out of its holder when I was putting the knife in my pocket.
Luckily, you can buy tweezer and toothpick replacement packs if you lose either of them.
Another small con is that the blade folds out on the side of the keyring. This makes the blade a little more difficult to use when it’s on a keychain. It’s not a big deal, but it’s a small thing that could be improved.
Classic SD vs. Rambler
The Rambler is the next size up from the Classic SD. It’s not much bigger than the Classic SD, yet it adds a few more features.
The additions of a bottle opener, Phillips head screwdriver, and wire strippers are nice.
The bottle opener is solid, as is the additional screwdriver.
The screwdriver is magnetized which is a very thoughtful feature considering that you may be using it with very small screws that could easily get lost.
Note that while you can use the flathead screwdriver on the Classic SD for some Phillips head screws, it’s nice to have designated Phillips and flathead options. Plus, the Phillips head on the Rambler is on the tip of the bottle opener so it doesn’t take up much space at all.
The wire strippers are questionable, as there’s no size adjustment on them. Though I suppose they would work well for pullback wire.
The blade on the Rambler opens on the opposite side of the keyring which is nice.
One con is that the Rambler only comes in red. It would be nice to have some additional options. Preferably some more muted colors.
Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the upgrade from the Classic SD to the Rambler. The size and price differences are small, but the additional features are handy.
Questions About Swiss Army Knives
Here are the answers to some questions you may have about the Classic SD, the Rambler or Swiss Army Knives in general.
Can You Bring a Swiss Army Knife on a Plane?
Unfortunately, you can’t bring a Swiss Army Knife on a plane unless it’s in a checked bag.
What’s the Difference Between the Classic SD and the Rambler?
The Rambler has all of the features of the Classic SD plus a bottle opener, Phillips head screwdriver and wire strippers.
What Does SD Stand For?
SD stands for screwdriver.
Where Are Swiss Army Knives Made?
They’re actually made in Switzerland!
My Recommendation
The bottom line is that the Classic SD is a great quality Swiss Army Knife that’s actually made in Switzerland, and the quality shows. It’s small and has a small price tag, but it has a lot of great features.
It’s not a heavy-duty survivalist knife, but it’s an awesome little multi-tool for everyday use. If you don’t mind spending a little more and having a slightly bigger knife, you should opt for the Rambler.
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