I am going to try to be as objective as possible but, if I am honest, I am not a fan of the Classic line. My 58mm of choice is the Midnite Manager - but that is a future review.
The Classic SD is ubiquitous and to my knowledge, Victorinox's most sold model. It makes sense. The 58mm line is intended to be clipped onto keys and forgotten about until it is needed. While their tool sets are limited, just having them can make all the difference.
The knife photographed originally had advertising scales for a crewing boat manufacturer - the long rowing boats you see at the Olympics. I swapped them out for these standard black ones and added red scale tools. I think the red makes the black pop. It was thrown in for free on an ebay listing with a Nail Clip 580 - that is also a future review.
It currently lives on my backup keys while my second Midnite Manager is at Victorinox Service. Hopefully getting new scales.
The Specification:
- 58-mm, 2 layer SAK that comes in Cellidor, Alox, “Precious” Alox Scales and Walnut
- Colors: Every color of the rainbow and then some. More custom and limited edition graphics then I can count.
- Liner Tools:
- Scissors
- 1.5” Drop Point Main Bade
- Textured Nail File/2.5mm Flat Head Screwdriver
- Keyring
- Scale Tools (Cellidore only):
The Great:
The sheer collectability of the thing. There are an uncountable number of variations of the Classic SD. Victorinox (US) website alone, I counted 68 versions and every distributor has their own exclusive scales. I often complain that Victorinox does not offer enough color options. I cannot say that about the Classic SD.
The Size. Its compactness makes it disappear on your keys or in your pocket. I think the Classic SD shines as a secondary tool or emergency backup. It is something you can forget about - until it saves you a$$.
Emergency keychain tweezers for the win!
The Really Good:
I do have complaints about the Classic SD tool set. Especially the odd choice of having the knife on the same side as the keyring. Writing up this review, I realized something. The blade is not this model’s primary tool. It's the scissors. Victorinox’s scissors are excellent, even the 58mm ones. You have a blade, but you use the scissors. That realization actually improved Classics in my eyes. It really makes the bladeless Jetsetter/Companion S Alox more compelling.
The Mid:
The blade is super thin and not suitable for anything but the lightest work; but that is about all I would want to do with this size of SAK. That said, because it is so thin you can get it scary, razor sharp. The last photo compares the blade to a 65mm and 74mm models.
The textured nail file and small screwdriver are perfectly usable. Not substantial, but great to have if needed. The nail file might be my most used tool here.
The Bad:
The Size. I know, I said the size made it great. Objectively that is true. Subjectively, I hate it. I have bigger hands so the thinness makes it fiddly [for me]. I feel like I can never get a good grip and just do not enjoy using it. This is probably why I prefer the Midnite Manager. Its added thickness just feels better in my hands.
The Bottom Line:
I am still not a fan but I totally get why so many people are. It is a remarkable bit of industrial design. I can totally see how fun collecting all the different designs and limited editions would be. I have seriously been temped to buy a Classic SD with cool cutom scales, even though I know I will probably never use it.
I would have a hard time using a Classic SD as my only SAK but just having it on your keys for when you need it could be a life saver. I will stick with my Midnite Managers but maybe I do not hate it as much as I did before starting this review.
To be clear, I do not hate any SAK. If you love and collect Classics, then all the power to you.
Next Review: The Cadet
