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Wenger EVO 81
by bilbobaginz
After trying the 'waiter' version of Wenger's product range, an item I bought specifically for the kitchen, I felt it only right to buy a second version for the bathroom. The EVO81 is the perfect device for such a setting. With a nail file, pair of scissors, small knife, screw-driver (cross-head), tooth-pick/tweezers, and keyring, this ... variety combines several of the more necessary bathroom apparatus with a few of the least. There are many applications for the components, but several of them I found unnecessary solely due to the area I used the device - the bathroom.
All of the components are built into the main body of the device. Unlike the Waiter, this body is much smoother, sleeker, and adopts a completely different - more visually appealing - shape. It's a shape which fits the hand excellently. Corrosion-resistant paint coated metal forms the body which is cold to the touch, but which allows fingers to grip comfortably, separate to the thumb (which sits neatly at the top end of the device). You are able to grip the EVO81 firmly, handy when you're trying to cut through something thick or awkward with the small knife - a component which extrudes 1.5" (37mm) from the body, at the front end. When using other components, the body makes it simple and safe to do this due to its ambit-dexterous design (back-to-front grip pattern).
The nail file is effective at trimming down nails, even when they are already quite short. Due to the durable stainless steel it is made from, the file remains un-worn, and if used correctly this should always be true. The scissors are clumsy and unpredictable at first, and nothing can be cut accurately. But after spending some time getting used to them it becomes far easier. Though they aren't very strong, the scissors are great for opening toiletry packaging, cutting thread, bandages, and plasters. Be careful, they are sharper than they look - especially when first used. The screw-driver is useful outside of the bathroom, it's good quality, but due to the width of the body of the EVO81 it won't fit into tight spaces (where the screws are usually hiding). As I mentioned in my previous review of the Waiter, the tooth-pick and tweezers are pretty pointless - although in the bathroom they can become useful plucking eye-brows, and poking teeth before a brush. They still get easily lost and make the product more difficult to clean properly!
I think the EVO81 is very well made, and it has advantages over other models by Wenger. The body is more attractive and easier/safer to grip, and all of the items are useful - excluding none - when the product is stationed in the bathroom. I recommend having a few of these around the house, in different forms/varieties as they always come in useful one way or another. There are so many obscure tasks that you would find difficult to think of - but when they occur this product really shines through the situation. Every home is better with a Wenger device!
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Victorinox 09023 Outrider
by chrisheels
- The Knife -
Over the years I have owner a large range of swiss army knifes used for travelling, garening and as a general tool around the house. I have owned the tiny little ones which are great for trimming nails and several of the larger versions. In my opinion this model is by far the most useful and doesn't ... overcomplicate with tools you don't need.
----Features---
The main blade is a large locking blade about 11cm in length. The lock means that the knife stays in position when you inevitably slip trying to cut something too thick. Although it isn't perfect as a locking blade and there is still a chance of the blade closing, the lock is an essential safety feature which makes using the blade far easier.
Possibly the most used attachment on my knife is the corkscrew. I keep the knife in the kitchen draw so it's ideal when I want wine and can't find my proper corkscrew. There is no lever to pull a cork out of a bottle but a good tug does the job easily.
A can opener is a vital component for travelling, as ring pull type cans are rarely availbale when backpacking. There is a certain knack to using this type of can opener, but I'm confident I could beat a regular tin opener!
The scissors are useful for cutting thread, nails or smaller items. They use a small springy strip of metal to open after making a cut so are not suitable for strong cutting as this metal can bend.
The Nail File and Toothpick are slotted into the plastic sides of the knife. In my case these are incredibly easy to loose and the plastic toothpick is never very appealing to use.
The woodsaw is useful for cutting larger things where the knife cannot be used. It will blunt eventually, but has lasted me and often been usefull for getting through small tree branches.
The one item I don't think I have ever used is the reamer/wire stripper (apart from as a small pokey implement, for which it is perfect). I am sure it is a good reamer, but have yet to find myself in a situation where a good ream is required.
Another addition is the keyring allowing the knife to be secured to your keys or belt. Very useful if like me you find it impossible to keep track of your posessions.
In my opinion, the above included features are more than adequate and they are of a decent size on this knife to make them useable. Other swiss army knifes include magnifying glasses, pens and suchlike. I think these are less useful and make the knife bulkier than necessary. This Outrider is an ideal compromise between functionality and size.
---Build----
The Outrider is made by Victorinox who are the well known swiss army knife brand (and easily the best). The knife is well made and has aged well. The tools all pull out easily and have shown no deterioration. I'd advise keeping the knife clean and oiling ocassionally to avoid corrosion in the long term.
The knife is made from stainless steel and plastic, making it lightweight and durable.
---Price---
The Outrider is available on amazon for £26.32 which is very good value for a top quality swiss army knife. I believe I paid more like £30 which I thought was more than reasonable.
---Summary---
A compact, lightweight, high quality swiss army knife. It contains all the essential tools and none of the gimmicky add ons. Well priced and good value.
---Tip---
Remember if getting a swiss army knife for travelling to put it in hold luggage. I've lost a few of the small ones by leaving them in my pocket!
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Victorinox Climber
by evyarad
I have had a Victorinox Climber since I was a 13 year old scout (I am now a twenty something scout leader). The model is one of the simplest in the Victorinox range, containing the core, most used features and leaving out the more obscure (which I rarely need and just take up space and weight). The features it retains include the main ... blade (less than three inches long and non-locking so can be legally carried in public without a specific reason) which probably sees the most use of all the features. This is fairly thin metal and seems to blunt fairly quickly but can likewise be sharpened quite fast. Because of its thinness the blade does also pick up nicks and burrs if you use it on hard materials but is well suited to lighter tasks such as cutting sisal or rope. If you want to cut anything more heavy duty, you'd want to look at a sheath knife anyway, not a swiss army knife.
The other blade is smaller and suited to lighter work, cutting fruit or the like. There is also a small pair of scissors which are very handy and cut well. I have found that the small spring in them can pop out of it's socket after a few years of use and whilst easily returned is quite annoying. The screwdriver is mounted with the bottle opener (and apparently a wire stripper that I have never used) and is very robust and easy to use, handy for when you need screws loosening and you haven't got a proper screwdriver (or likewise when there's beer to be drunk and you find yourself without a bottle opener). The can opener is functional, if slow to use, and is mainly a backup if my can opener breaks or is forgotten on camp - the end if it is meant to he a smaller size screw driver but I have never used it. The same can be said for the corkscrew, a good backup but awkward to use full time. There's also some sort of hook and a blunt blade with a hole in (apparently a reamer and sowing eye) that I have we never had the need to use.
The body of the knife is red plastic, that sits well in the hand and stands up alright to tough handling. The body also houses a set of tweezers and a toothpick. On the whole the knife is easy to use and hard to break. A good starting knife ( I have since switched to the rival Wenger brand as their blades seem to hold their edge better but retain the Victorinox as a back up).
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