Victorinox, the maker of the famous Swiss Army Knives, makes a line of multi-tools, which use the name Swisstool. The Swisstools have garnered a reputation for being some of the highest quality multi-tools on the market. Like Victorinox's other products, they're Swiss made with obvious attention to detail using Swiss made steel.

Their most recent offering in the multi-tool market is the Swisstool Spirit series. The Spirit continues the Swisstool quality only being made with less bulk and lighter weight. The combination of quality and a minimalistic design has made the Spirit series a success for Victorinox.

To date, Victorinox has brought three Swisstool Spirit variations to the US market; the Spirit, Spirit S, and the Spirit X. All Swisstools, including the Spirit series, have locking tools for safety. The Spirit S differs in that it has a knife blade, which was conspicuously missing from the original Spirit, only having a serrated knife blade. The Spirit X variation replaces the serrated knife blade with scissors, but retains the plain edge knife blade of the Spirit S.

Unlike other multi-tools that have cast or metal injection molded tools, the tools on the Spirit appear to stamped and machined. So far, I have no had a problem with the screwdrivers rolling or bending.

Victorinox also offers the Spirit Plus, which includes a bit driver and bits. For those that use the bit driver tools, Victorinox has also begun offering a variation of the Spirit Plus with a ratchet feature. The MSRP for the Swisstool Spirit Plus Ratchet is $150 dollars.

The Swisstool Spirits retail for $100 dollars but can be found for a little more than half of that at major retail chain stores.

Find Victorinox Swisstools eBay!

Victorinox Swiss-Army-Knife SWISSTOOL-SPIRIT New

US $129.00

3d 16h 29m

Victorinox Swiss-Army-Knife SWISSTOOL-SPIRIT-PLUS New

US $189.00

3d 16h 29m

Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Multi-Tool w/ Pouch *NEW*

US $79.03

4d 14h 22m

Victorinox SWISSTOOL RESCUE multi tool. New, boxed

US $102.43

4d 20h 46m

Victorinox Swiss Army SwissTool CS Plus 53946 **NEW**

US $86.95

5d 2h 34m

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Sometimes in life things come too little, too late. That is definitely the case with Lou Alessi's PCH holster. It was his final IWB design to be made and is considered the pinnacle of IWB holsters by many people.

What makes the PCH unique is it's design. Typically, quality leather IWB holsters fall into two categories. The first is a clamshell-style of which the Summer Special is an example. Such holsters are made by bending a single piece of leather around a handgun and stitching it together at the rear of the holster. Clamshell-style holsters usually have the belt attachment loop(s) on the side so that it sits between the pistol and belt.

The second style of leather IWB holster is the pancake-style, made of two pieces of leather. Pancake-style holsters are stitched together to the front and rear of the holster, holding the handgun between the stitches. These holsters usually have the belt loops mounted fore and aft, making the holster's footprint on the gunbelt larger.

As a rule, clamshell-style holsters take less space on the belt and place the handgun higher on the body. Likewise, pancake-style holsters are usually slimmer but take up more belt space, making them difficult to use for skinny people. Pancake-style holsters also let the weapon ride lower on the body and are usually more stable due to having more holster area in contact with the body.

The Alessi PCH blends the two styles by using a clamshell design with an extra flap of material at the front of the holster. That extra material is ingenious because it makes the holster more stable and comfortable without making the holster as bulky as a pancake-style one. The PCH uses Summer Special-style belt loops.

Unfortunately, PCH holsters are hard to come by now because they rarely are available on the aftermarket. If you have a chance to buy one, however, you will not be disappointed.

Take a look at my other Alessi Holster reviews.

Find Alessi Holsters on eBay!

Alessi J-frame ankle holster RH

1 Bid

US $100.00

2d 37m

ALESSI IWB or POCKET Gun Holster WALTHER PPK PPK/S 380

15 Bids

US $26.00

2d 7h 59m

ALESSI inside waist MK9 codovan colored leather holster

1 Bid

US $.99

6d 1h 20m

NOS Lou Alessi Bodyguard Shoulder Holster 5" 1911 RH

US $300.00

25d 8h 37m

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Question: I'm in the market for a new multitool to EDC and don't know which one to buy. I've looked at the ones from Leatherman and the Gerber tools, but the choices seem overwhelming. Any advice is appreciated. -Robert in Indianapolis

Answer: As you've seen there are a myriad of options when choosing a multitool. The best one to EDC will depend on your needs. If size is critical, something like the Leatherman Squirt E4 or P4 will come in handy but will fit on to a key chain. If you want a tool that is more functional and can be clipped to your pocket, take a look at the Leatherman Kick or Fuse. They are a minimalist design without the bells and whistles. An aftermarket pocket clip can be added to the Kick making it quick to access.

If you're looking at a full-size multitool, then the Gerber tool is another brand to look at. They feature fast access to the pliers, if that is important. The SOG tool is also highly regarded, but I have no experience with one.

For an all-around tool, the Leatherman Wave or Charge would be hard to beat. They allow one-handed access to locking knife blades without opening the tool. It's like having a folding knife and multitool in one.

Of all the brands, the highest quality multitools, in my opinion, are the Victorinox Swisstools. The Swisstool Spirit is nice because it's a little bit lighter than the regular Swisstool but still has all of the same functions.

Decide what you need the tool to do then look at those recommendations. Any of the above tools will serve you well.

Find Multitools on eBay!

MICRA by Leatherman (Used) Pocket Multitool G913

7 Bids

US $11.50

3h 8m

LEATHERMAN CHARGE AL/ALX MULTITOOL LEATHER/NYLON SHEATH

US $137.19

3h 9m

NEW Multitool Tape Measure Flashlight Screwdriver Set

US $8.97

3h 12m

I.D. WORKS GUPPIE MULTITOOL NIB

0 Bid

US $35.00

3h 17m

Gerber Multitool

7 Bids

US $17.00

3h 18m

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The 2010 SHOT Show just ended on Friday, January 22. On the firearms front there were several new developments and interesting products coming to market. But for EDC gear, there were not as many new products as has been seen in years past.

Surefire, as always was present. They displayed the LX1 Lumamax as displayed in their 2009 Catalog. Maybe it will be available this year. Surefire is now advertising it as having a maximum output of 110 lumens and a length of 4.1 inches. The current L1 Lumamax is 65 lumens and 4.5" overall.

Some of the truly new lights from Surefire were the Z2-S and the Stratum. The Z2-S is an upgraded version of their Z2 combatlight with a max output of 150 lumens. The Stratum is essentially a remodeled Surefire 6P with three output settings; 5, 50, and 150. Not bad for a 6p-sized light, eh? It may be a little large for EDC, but would be a versatile tool on a lawmen's or soldier's belt.

Probably the most talked about Surefire present at the show was the Surefire M720 Raid. Made to install on any picatinny rail present on a handgun or rifle, the Raid borrows from previous technology found on lights such as the Vampire and X300. The M720V Raid has four white light settings, low, medium, and high. It also has an IR setting for use with night vision devices. The M720 and M720L are strictly white light devices with the M720L producing 350 lumens.

Noticeably missing was the UB3 Invictus.

Benchmade displayed their new cutlery wares, including the model 755 MPR Shane Sibert collaboration. Also of note was the 790 Subrosa, which is frankly Benchmade's take on the classic Chris Reeve Sebenza, having a blasted titanium frame-lock. The 172 is Benchmade's entry into the tactical tomahawk market. It's a good looking spike hawk made of 1095 with G10 scales on the haft. MY personal favorite from Benchmade was the new model 8600 Bedlman. It is scimatar inspired having a flowing, up-swept blade, and is an auto-axis, meaning it is classified as an automatic knife.

RAT Knives had two new products for this year. One was the Junglas, which is a large jungle machete, similar to the old RTAK knives produced by Ontario Knives and Newt Livesay. The other new product is a broadhead, which is presumably used to make a spear or arrows in a survival scenario.

Kabar had two new necks knives displayed at the SHOT show, both flat ground. One looked suspiciously like the Izula from RAT Knives.

Those were the noteworthy items from the 2010 SHOT Show.

On the exterior, the MSA Sordin ear muffs appear to be ordinary hearing protection. But there is much more to a pair of MSA Sordins than meets the eye.

The MSA Sordin Supreme headsets feature sound amplification technology that amplifies low-decibel sounds 3x while filtering out load sounds over 80 decibels. That makes them ideal for use in environments where loud noise is present but you still need to be able to communicate effectively with others or hearing a phone ringing.

Electronic sound amplification technology has been around for several years but Sordin has come close to perfecting it in their Supreme headsets. When wearing the headsets, the user can hear sounds directionally just as if hearing normally. For example, if worn while hunting the hunter can not only hear leaves crunching around him but can also hear distant gunshots and the direction that they came from.

As ear muffs go, the MSA Sordin Supremes are very comfortable. To make them even more comfortable, replacement gel seats are available.

In a previous post I reviewed the Surefire Sonic Defender earplugs that mechanically block loud sounds while allowing lower decibel sounds to reach the wearer's ear. They work alright compared to normal ear plugs, but are nothing like the MSA Sordin headsets. If you really need to hear with loud noise present, then the MSA Sordin Supremes are the clear choice.

I had previously posted that Spyderco was planning a new version of the Warrior knife. I am happy to say that they are now on dealer's shelves.

The knife is definitely reminiscent of the original Warrior knives, having lines that follow the original design. Specifically, you'll notice immediately the curved blade and finger grooved handle. But that's where the similarities end.

Unlike the original Warriors from Al Mar and REKAT, the Spyderco Warrior has a full tang with FRN handle scales. Functionally, there should not be much difference. The handle shape has been slightly changed, however, with an enlarged pinkie finger hook. The tang also ends in a protruding point vice the pommel spike of the earlier knives.

The knife retains the guard of the originals, which maintains a similar shape.

One of the prominent features of the Warrior series was coarsely made serrations on the spine of the blade. Protruding from the blade's rearward curve, the serrations were originally intended for trapping an opponent's limb until a finishing cut could be dealt. The Spyderco knife sports a more usual serration pattern, which raises questions to their intended use. Spyderco's website indicates that the knife was commissioned for Guy Rafaeli, who probably also had some design input. Perhaps Rafaeli and Spyderco felt that the serrations would serve more practical uses in maritime or emergency rescue environments while maintaining some of the knife's original design intentions. No matter, it is unlikely that the serrations would work as well for limb trapping as the original Warrior design.

An interesting aspect of Spyderco's Warrior is the blade material. It is manufactured from H1, which Spydecrco advertised as a rust-free austenitic steel. What that means in laymen's terms is that material is a ferritic alloy similar to more traditional knife steels, only with a modification that prevents it from rusting. That should be it ideal for use around water.

In conclusion, it is exciting to see a new revision of the classic Warrior knife released from a manufacture as respected as Spyderco. While their design strays from the original somewhat, it does maintain the spirit of the Warrior knife. The Warrior is selling online for around $260, which is not a bargain but not outrageous. I'd personally like to see Spyderco make another version of the Warrior in a less expensive steel to reduce the selling price. Overall, I'm happy to see the Warrior available again.

Find a Spyderco Warrior on eBay!

Spyderco Warrior (Plain/Serrated Edge) W/ Nylon Sheath

US $275.00

6d 5h 41m

Spyderco Warrior Fixed Blade H-1 Steel FB25PSBK **NEW**

US $245.95

22d 9h 18m

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Question: I am going to purchase a tactical defense pen but there are so many of them available now from companies like Surefire, Benchmade. What makes them different and which ones are best? - Jorge from Spokane, WA

Answer: Tactical pens have been on the market now for a few years. They've become popular because they turn an everyday item into a useful defense tool. Benchmade and Surefire both make high-quality tactical pens machined from aluminum. Benchmade offers an array of sizes if you have a certain size in mind. Surefire's two offerings are unique in that one has a window-breaker built into it, and the other has click-top pen activation, negating the need for a separate pen cap.

Also, take a look at the Timberline and Mil-Tac offerings that are a bit less expensive and extremely durable if overall size is not a concern.

If the above pens make your wallet ache, you are in luck. Taylor Cutlery of Taiwan has recently released two tactical pens under the Smith and Wesson and Shrade Knives trademarks. These pens offer two different style options and a variety of colors. Street price should be around $25.

Lastly, if you're looking for something out of the ordinary, take a look at the Spyderco Bali-yo. Essentially, it's a pen that can be flipped like a balisong knife, only without scaring your coworkers.

Fans of neck knives have been happy for the last year or so due to several extremely high-quality neck knives beginning to be manufactured. Like other kinds of knives, neck knives are generally made for a specific use or task. As wilderness or survival style knives have been gaining in popularity, it is no surprise that many of the new neck knives have been made for that genre.

One of the most commonly seen is the Becker Necker, a Becker Knife and Tool design made by Kabar. A similar knife was being made by for Becker by Camillus until they unfortunately went out of business. Kabar has picked up the slack and they are better than ever. The Becker Necker is 6.75" long with a 3.25" blade and 3.55" handle. It is made of 1095, an inexpensive high-carbon steel that is tough, holds a good edge, and sharpens easily. Due to its' .165" thickness, it is also the heaviest of the three I'm going to mention in this post at 2.5 oz. It has a street price of $35 which makes it a definite bargain.

Another neck knife that has gained a large following is the Randall's Adventure and Training Izula. Named after a South American ant, the Izula is up for any task you can throw at it. Made of 1095 and, having a flat grind, it is a good performer. Like the Becker, the Izula is .165" thick meaning you won't break it without really working at it. the Izula has a 2.88" blade and is 6.25" overall. It is a bit lighter than the Becker at 2 oz. The Izula has a street price around $55.

The newest of the bunch is the Bark River Knife and Tool Bravo 2 Necker. The Bravo 2 Necker is smaller than the previous two knives. It has a 2.5" blade and 3.5" handle. If stain resistance is a concern for you, the Bravo 2 Necker is made of 12c27 stainless steel that will be more rust resistant than the 1095 used in the Izula and Becker Necker. The Bravo 2 Necker also differs in that it has a convex edge which has a sharpening learning curve for those not familiar with convex edge sharpening. Proponents of convex knife edges argue that they have better edge holding.

The Bravo 2 Necker is the lightest of these three knives at 1.5 oz, due to it's size and .130" thickness. It is also the most expensive with a street price of $69.

If you are looking for a heavy duty neck knife any of these three will perform admirably. They are, in my opinion, three of the best neckers on the market right now. They all offer outstanding performance without emptying your wallet. Look over the specs of them and choose the one that fits your needs the best.

Question: I want to buy a Swiss Army Knife for my husband but do not know much about knives. What style should I be looking at and where can I buy one on sale or at a discount? - Mary, Mountain View, AR.

Answer: The term Swiss Army Knife does not refer to a brand but a style of knife. When someone says Swiss Army knife, they are generally referring to a non-locking pocket knife made by Victorinox or Wenger, both of which make Swiss Army style knives in Switzerland. Which of those brands or models you should be looking at will depend on your husband's use for the knife. Both companies make an extremely wide variety of pocket knives to fill almost any need, including one with a USB thumb drive in case your husband is a computer geek. Specifically, take a look at the Executive or Classic models. They are small but have the tools that most people want on a knife such as these. Also, if you feel that a multi-tool would be more appropriate, take a look at the Victorinox Swisstool.

Many department stores and online retailers offer Swiss Army knives at a discount. If not, they will usually place them on sale for holiday sales. Some knife dealers also offer custom Swiss Army knives with personalized engraving, if that is important to you. Also keep in mind, some models of the knives are available in colors other than red. Some of the other colors include black, orange, pink, and green.

Take a look at my announcement of the new official Swiss Army Knife.

When Lou Alessi passed away, the gun industry lost an icon and holster-making genius. Fortunately, his designs will live on through his holsters, which will be used for many years to come.

One of his popular IWB designs was the Talon. The Talon name came from it's use of a belt clip. Unlike lesser holsters, Alessi's Talon belt clip is very secure. There's no chance of the holster coming unclipped during the draw stroke. The Talon clip also allows the user easy donning and doffing.

Unlike many of the other designs on the market, the Talon is extremely thin. The holster is made from only one layer of leather. Being a clamshell design, it is stitched in the rear with a sight track molded into the front for a smooth draw.

The Talon was also one of the best values in Lou's line up, selling less than many factory-made leather holsters.

On the secondary market, Lou's holsters demand top dollar. The Talon, however, can still be found occasionally for a fair amount. With relatively large numbers of them having been made, they are not as rare as some of Lou's other holsters.

If you are lucky enough to own a Talon, or can find one reasonably priced, it will be a prized part of your carry gear that will give a lifetime
of service.