Victorinox Swiss Tool BS Review
Active Gear Review is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
I have to admit I am a bit of a tool hoarder. I love tools so much that my garage is completely filled with them. That fascination started early. As a kid I remember staring at the classic Swiss Army Knives, imagining all the things I could do with one. When I finally got my first, I took it straight into the woods and felt like I could handle anything. That same interest has stuck with me, and over the past few weeks I have enjoyed revisiting it while putting the Victorinox Swiss Tool BS to use outdoors.
Victorinox has a long and well established history. With more than 140 years in business, the company has built a reputation for durability and thoughtful design. Founded in 1884, its knives became standard issue for both Swiss and American military personnel. The red knife with the white cross is now recognized around the world. These tools are known for their stainless steel construction and for packing a wide range of functions into a compact form. In addition to the traditional pocket knife, Victorinox now produces multitools like the Swiss Tool BS.
I spend a lot of time outdoors, from hunting to skiing and just about everything in between. Having one reliable tool that can help solve problems or simply make tasks easier is an easy choice to carry. The Victorinox Swiss Tool BS stood out right away because of how many features it includes in a single, compact design.
About the Victorinox Swiss Tool BS
The Victorinox Swiss Tool BS is a full size multitool constructed entirely from stainless steel and designed for durability in field use. It features a black oxide finish that reduces glare and helps resist corrosion and visible wear over time. The tool is built with tight tolerances, giving it a solid feel with minimal flex or movement during use. Each implement locks into place once opened, providing added stability and safety when applying pressure.
All the Tools!
At the center of the tool are the needle nose pliers, which also incorporate hard wire cutters and a crimping section for more demanding tasks. Surrounding these are a wide range of fold out tools, including large and small flathead screwdrivers, a Phillips screwdriver, scissors, a wood saw, and a metal file. The file includes both coarse and fine surfaces, along with a metal saw edge for cutting through tougher materials. A straight edge blade is also included for general cutting tasks.
Pliers
On Side of Tools
Additional features include a reamer for drilling or enlarging holes, a chisel for light shaping or scraping, and a multipurpose hook that can assist with carrying or pulling tasks. The bottle opener and can opener are integrated into the design and double as functional drivers for added versatility. Many of these tools are accessible from the outside of the multitool, allowing for quicker deployment without needing to fully open the pliers.
The handles are designed with slightly rounded edges to improve comfort during extended use, while still maintaining a firm grip. The tool also includes a ruler etched into the side of the handle for quick measurements in the field. Overall, the Swiss Tool BS is built to combine a broad range of functions into a single, compact platform while maintaining strength, precision, and ease of use.
Thoughts on the Victorinox Swiss Tool BS
By carrying the Victorinox Swiss Tool BS in my pocket, it became clear how often a tool like this actually gets used. One of the best examples was during a three day yurt trip in the Colorado mountains with my family, where it handled a wide range of small but important tasks throughout the trip.
Carrying the Swiss Tool was straightforward whether in a pocket or on a belt. The rounded edges made it comfortable in a pocket, which quickly became my preferred method. Having it readily available made a noticeable difference. The more accessible it was, the more often I used it. That convenience has carried over into daily use as well, including at work. One of the biggest time drains in any project is searching for the right tool, and having multiple functions in one place helps eliminate that.
Will Be Included In All Road Trips
Victorinox Swiss Tool BS Ease of Use in the Field
Ease of use stood out, especially when accessing the tools. The outside accessible tools were simple to pull out and did not require excessive force or awkward positioning. It never felt like I was going to lose a fingernail trying to get to a blade or screwdriver, which can be an issue with some multitools. Everything opened smoothly and consistently, making quick tasks easier to handle. During the yurt trip, I used it for meal prep, minor repairs, and helping with fishing, all without needing to track down separate tools.
Meal Prep
Practical Tool Selection
The overall tool set focuses on practical functions. I consistently used the pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, and saw. With 27 tools included, each one appears to serve a clear purpose. Compared to other multitools that include less practical features, this one avoids unnecessary bulk and weight, which makes it easier to carry regularly.
Memorable Use and Learning Moments
One of the more memorable moments was using the tool to teach my 9 year old son basic knife safety. Over the course of the trip, he became comfortable using the blade for simple tasks like whittling marshmallow sticks. The blade held its edge well through repeated use, and the saw was also effective for cutting small branches.
Gathering Marshmallow Sticks
Functionality of the Victorinox Swiss Tool BS
In terms of functionality, the Swiss Tool BS handled a wide range of tasks in a short period of time. These included fixing coat hangers in the yurt, preparing food, adjusting a grill knob, releasing fish, straightening and removing hooks, cutting kindling, opening packages, and making a quick binding adjustment. These are all small tasks individually, but together they highlight the value of having a capable multitool on hand.
Putting the Pliers to Use
Nice Cutthroat Released
Finish and Break In
One minor issue was related to the black oxide finish. As noted in the instructions, some initial wear is expected. During the first few uses, a small amount of residue transferred onto my hands. This was temporary and stopped after a short break in period, after which the finish remained stable.
Specs on the Victorinox Swiss Tool BS Taken From Victorinox
- Number of tools: 27
- Material: Stainless steel
- Finish: Black oxide for reduced glare and added wear resistance
- Tool type: Full size multitool with locking implements
- Pliers: Needle nose with integrated wire cutters and crimper
- Blade: Straight edge knife blade
- Saw: Wood saw and metal saw with file surfaces
- Drivers: Multiple flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
- Additional tools: Scissors, reamer, chisel, bottle opener, can opener, multipurpose hook
- Tool access: Many tools accessible from the outside
- Locking mechanism: All tools lock into place during use
- Carry system: Nylon belt pouch included
- Measurement: Ruler etched into handle
- Country of origin: Switzerland
Final Thoughts on the Victorinox Swiss Tool BS
The Victorinox Swiss Tool BS stands out as a well built and highly functional multitool that focuses on practical use rather than unnecessary extras. Throughout use, it proved to be reliable across a wide range of everyday and outdoor tasks, with a tool selection that consistently felt relevant and well thought out.
The overall construction gives it a solid, dependable feel, and the locking tools add confidence when applying pressure. Ease of access, especially with the outside tools, makes a noticeable difference in day to day use and encourages you to reach for it more often. It is a tool that fits naturally into both outdoor settings and regular daily use without feeling out of place.
While there is a short break in period with the black oxide finish, it is minor and does not impact long term performance. Once past that, the tool settles in and continues to perform as expected.
At its core, the Swiss Tool BS delivers exactly what it is designed to do. It brings together a wide range of useful tools into a single, durable platform that is easy to carry and dependable when needed. For more info or to pick one up for yourself, visit victorinox.com or amazon.com.
