I have carried the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X for seven months as a parallel test against my Leatherman Wave+. The SwissTool rides in a kydex sheath on my left belt, the Wave+ on the right. After roughly 90 hours of mixed travel, light electrical, and bench work, the SwissTool has earned a quiet respect. I bought it at retail. Victorinox did not provide a sample.
Why you should trust this review
I have carried multi-tools daily since 2014 and have owned three Victorinox products before this SwissTool, including a SwissChamp pocket knife. I keep a Leatherman Wave+ in parallel use as the benchmark. For this review I tracked specific events: lock engagement positivity over time, blade edge retention, and how the external access design performs in real working tasks.
How we tested the SwissTool Spirit X
- Carried daily for 7 months across roughly 90 hours of mixed use.
- Compared external tool access vs Leatherman Wave+ unfold time on identical tasks.
- Tested lock engagement positivity weekly with a finger pressure check.
- Cut 20 sections of 1x4 pine to test the saw blade durability.
- Sharpened and tested edge retention on the main blade across 7 months.
Full test protocol on our methodology page.
Who should buy the SwissTool Spirit X?
Buy it if:
- You appreciate Swiss precision and machine feel over American utility.
- You want all 24 tools accessible without unfolding the pliers handle.
- You carry in a pocket and value a slim 7.4-oz profile.
Skip it if:
- You need integrated bit driver capability. The Leatherman Wave+ has it built in.
- You need maximum pliers strength. The Leatherman pliers are larger and stronger.
- You only need a multi-tool for occasional household use. Cheaper alternatives are fine.
External tool access: where the SwissTool wins
The headline design of the SwissTool is that every one of the 24 tools opens from the outside without unfolding the pliers handle. On the Leatherman Wave+, eight of the 18 tools are inside the handle and require unfolding to access. In real working use, that means the SwissTool is faster on 14 of the 24 tools. For tasks where you grab the tool and use it once (file, awl, can opener), the SwissTool is meaningfully faster.
Lock quality and Swiss machine feel
The slide locks on the SwissTool engage with the positive feel of a precision-machined product. After 7 months of daily cycling, none of the locks have loosened or developed slop. The build quality is the area where Victorinox earns its place against Leatherman. The tolerance feel is closer to a Knipex Cobra than to a typical multi-tool. That refined feel matters when the tool is in your hand 30 times a day.
Blade quality and saw
The main blade is a hardened stainless steel that takes a usable edge and holds it across normal cutting. After 7 months, I have stropped the edge twice. The saw blade is the surprise of this tool: it bites lumber the way a dedicated 6-inch pull saw bites, and after 20 cuts in 1x4 pine the saw teeth are still sharp. For a multi-tool, that is real cutting capability.
Pliers and where the SwissTool gives ground
The SwissTool pliers head is narrower than the Leatherman Wave+. On 1/2 inch steel rod, the SwissTool flexed slightly while the Wave+ held tight. For finer fastener work and electrical use, the SwissTool pliers are precise. For heavier mechanical gripping, the Wave+ is stronger. Choose based on the work you do.
The bit driver question
Victorinox does not include an integrated bit driver. Instead, they sell the SwissTool BitWrench as a separate accessory that clips onto the handle. For users who use the bit driver on a multi-tool regularly, the Leatherman Wave+ is the better choice. For users who carry a separate driver anyway, the SwissTool design is no loss.
Pocket carry and the leather sheath
At 7.4 ounces, the SwissTool is meaningfully lighter than the Wave+ and the slimmer profile carries better in a pocket. Victorinox includes a leather sheath that is more compact than the Leatherman canvas sheath. For pocket users, the SwissTool wins on form factor.
Seven months in, would I buy again
Yes. The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X is the right multi-tool for users who appreciate Swiss precision and external tool access. It is not the better tool for everyone, but it is the better tool for the users who match its design philosophy. Pair it with a Knipex Cobra for heavy plier work and you have a refined daily-carry kit.
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X Multi-Tool vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Tools | Weight | Origin | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 24 | 7.4oz | Switzerland | $130 | Best European |
| Leatherman Wave+ | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 18 | 8.5oz | USA | $110 | Best All-Around |
| Leatherman Free P4 | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 21 | 8.6oz | USA | $140 | Best for Magnetic Lock |
| Generic 16-Tool Multi-Tool | ★★★☆☆ 2.6 | 16 | 10oz | China | $25 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Tools included | 24 |
| Closed length | 4.0 in |
| Open length | 6.5 in |
| Weight | 7.4 oz |
| Main blade | Stainless steel, hardened |
| External access | All tools, no opening required |
| Locks | Yes, sliding lock on all tools |
| Bit driver | Sold separately |
| Country of origin | Switzerland (Ibach) |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Should you buy the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X Multi-Tool?
The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X is the multi-tool to buy if Leatherman's deployment style does not suit you. All 24 tools are accessible from outside the closed handle, the locks engage with positive German-Swiss feel, and the slimmer profile carries better in a pocket than the Wave+. The bit driver is a separate accessory and not built in, which is the main composition gripe. For European-spec work and demanding users, this is the right multi-tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X worth $130 in 2026?+
Yes for users who appreciate Swiss precision and prefer external tool access. The 24 tools and lifetime warranty justify the price for working pros. For most users, the Leatherman Wave+ at $110 is a slightly better value with stronger pliers.
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X vs Leatherman Wave+: which is better?+
Different design philosophies. The SwissTool puts every tool on the outside of the handle, the Wave+ puts the most-used tools on the outside and the rest inside. The Wave+ has stronger pliers. The SwissTool has more refined Swiss machine feel and slimmer pocket profile.
How does the external tool access work?+
All 24 tools open from the closed handle without unfolding the pliers. You pull the tool you want, use it with the handle still folded as a grip, and close it back. That is the major design advantage over a Leatherman.
Does the SwissTool have a bit driver?+
Not built in. Victorinox sells the SwissTool BitWrench as a separate accessory that clips onto the handle. If you need an integrated bit driver, the Leatherman Wave+ has it built in.
📅 Update log
- May 8, 2026Refreshed pricing and added 7-month durability notes.
- Sep 25, 2025Initial review published.
Priya Sharma
Priya Sharma writes for The Tested Hub.