The Victorinox Classic SD has earned this title. As a desk jockey working his way through life, this little knife is the cornerstone of my everyday carry. It is 2-1/4″ long, 11/16″ wide, 5/16″ thick, and weighs 0.7 ounces.

It goes where I go*

This knife is a really, really useful key fob. Since I never leave the house with keys, I always have this knife with me. It adds negligible bulk and weight, which is very desirable in my book. So, the Classic SD jingles along with my keys until it is needed. The asterisk (*) is for when I go to a courthouse, airport, or anywhere I may get this little treasure confiscated.

It does a lot

Every tool serves a purpose in modern life. Don’t let the size fool you; this little workhorse can get the job done.

• Blade – The blade is 1-1/2″ long, but guess what? Outside of cutting food, it is all you need. If you think about things to cut: letters, cord, cardboard, tape, plastic bags, this blade is enough. The thin blade is great for slicing through cardboard and other tough materials.
• Scissors – I am not one of them, but some people find the scissors more useful than the blade. There are times when the scissors are the best tool for the situation, such as trimming thread, cutting paper, or opening a bag of food. Even though they look toy-like, these are fully functional scissors that can cut tough materials.
• Nail File/Screw Driver – This drives flathead and phillips screws. It’s a great little pry bar for staples and other light fasteners. The nail file works well; along with the scissors, you can trim your nails like a champ.
• Toothpick – I don’t use this on my teeth, but it is great for picking out lint from my knife and computer keyboard. Since it is plastic, it will not scratch delicate surfaces, or leave behind residue like fingers do.
• Tweezers – I probably use these the least, but they have been used to pull ticks, splinters, and other little annoying things.

It is stronger than it looks

The toughest jobs this knife has done was cutting zip ties and blister packs. They require force to cut, and it’s easy to put lateral stress on the pivot. There were times when I was sure I loosened the blade, but it still has no play to this day. I’ve dropped this knife (along with keys) several times on hard surfaces, and it just shrugs it off. What you see in the photos is the knife after years of carry and use… and I bought it second hand.

It’s low maintenance

Some people turn their nose at Victorinox steel, but I prefer it. For everyday cutting, the blade stays plenty sharp, and it is stupid easy to resharpen. You can use the most rudimentary sharpening tool to get a working edge on a Victorinox. You can even use the bottom of a mug, or the edge of a car window. I don’t baby this thing, it just gets used and touched back up on a ceramic rod. It’s stainless steel, so rust is a non-issue.

The price…

At around $20, the Classic SD is a little expensive relative to the cheapest Swiss Army Knives. However, you don’t need to play full price. Our friends at the TSA confiscate hundreds of these a day, and they turn up on eBay for a fraction of a new knife. Every Classic I have owned, or given to others, has been used. I just clean them up, sharpen them, and they are good for years of service.

It bothers no one

When you whip this knife out, no one is alarmed by it. It’s first and foremost a tool, so very few people can imagine it as a weapon. If you pair the Classic SD with a larger knife, it can come out to play when its big buddy should wisely stay unseen.

In conclusion

This knife should be as popular as a mobile phone. It offers a lot of practical performance in return for low maintenance, cost and space. For years it was the only knife in my pocket, and it never let me down. It’s not going to impress anyone with exotic materials or aesthetics, but its beauty lies within its functionality. Other knives get rotated in and out, but the Victorinox Classic SD is the knife I will always have with me.