The knives are super handy, and I have different uses for the small and large ones. I use the small blade for all the messy or tough jobs. If I get a package covered in that ridiculously sticky packing tape, I'll always use the small blade without a second thought because I know it's going to get covered in that gummy residue. It's also the blade I use for tasks that I know will dull the edge, like cutting through tough plastic zip ties or the hard plastic straps on a heavy box. I'm essentially sacrificing the small blade's edge to keep the large one in perfect condition. I use the large blade for clean tasks only, so it's always sharp and ready to go when I need precision. When I'm out on a hike and want to slice up an apple or some cheese for lunch, I know the large blade is clean and hasn't been used on anything gross. It's also what I use when I need a truly clean cut, like slicing through a new piece of cordage without fraying it or neatly opening an important letter. I always have one perfectly sharp, clean blade ready when it really matters, and another knife for the dirty stuff.
I like to use the toothpick to clean out my phone charger port. It's plastic, so you won't fry the electronics or hurt yourself. With a good light source, gently insert the toothpick and carefully scrape along the back wall of the port, away from the delicate charging pins. Use a light scooping motion to pull out the compressed gunk, and give it a quick blast of compressed air can to clear out any remaining dust.
The flathead is great as a screwdriver, but I use it for all sorts of other tasks, too. It's perfect for easily popping the tab on a drink can, prying open a key ring to add a new key, getting into the tight battery compartments on remotes, or even breaking the vacuum seal on a new jar of jam. Instead of hurting your nails or trying to get a short nail under the edge, the flathead can make these tasks painless. The flat head gives you leverage, so you don't need to use brute force. For a drink can, for example, just slide the tip of the screwdriver under the tab right near the hinge and apply gentle upward pressure. Always point the tool away from your body in case it slips. It's also a good idea to use the right-sized flathead for the job, like the smaller one for more delicate tasks, and to give it a quick wipe-down before and after using it, especially around anything you're going to eat or drink.
One of the most overlooked yet incredibly useful tools on a Swiss Army Knife is the reamer, or as it's more commonly known, the awl. It's that sharp, pointy tool that's not quite a blade and not quite a screwdriver. It's great for prepping a surface for drilling. When I've tried to drill a hole on a smooth surface, the drill bit sometimes walks and skitters across the surface before it bites in. The awl makes sure this doesn't happen. Instead of marking your spot with a pencil, take the tip of the awl, place it exactly where you want your hole, and give it a firm press and a little twist to create a dimple in the material. This tiny guide hole can seat the tip of your drill bit and keep it exactly where it needs to be as you begin to drill. It's great for starting screws in a finished piece of wood, too, as it helps the threads bite without splitting the surface. Just be sure the piece you're marking is secure, and always keep your other hand safely out of the way!
One clever use for a SAK that many people overlook is using the hook to fix a slipped bike chain. If your chain comes off while riding, you can use the hook to pull the chain back onto the gear safely. There's no need to get your hands covered in grease at all. Just guide the chain into position and gently rotate the pedal forward. It's quicker, cleaner, and surprisingly more efficient. Despite being a small tool, it demonstrates the versatility of these tools.
I discovered my Swiss Army knife's file tool is perfect for smoothing rough drywall anchors and fixing sticky door hinges during home inspections. Just last week, I used the small blade to carefully strip wire casings while installing new light fixtures, which saved me from having to run back to my truck for specialized tools.
I've found the flat-head screwdriver on my Swiss Army knife to be perfect for cleaning grout lines between tiles - just angle it at 45 degrees and gently scrape away the grime. When cleaning baseboards, I use the bottle opener hook to get into those tricky corners where dust builds up, but be careful not to scratch the paint!
I discovered that the small screwdriver on my Swiss Army knife makes an amazing emergency phone stand when I'm watching product demo videos during business trips. I just flip it out at a 45-degree angle, lean my phone against it, and boom - perfect viewing angle without having to carry extra accessories.
Generally speaking, the toothpick in my Swiss Army knife has become my go-to for resetting those tiny electronic buttons on office equipment like routers and printers when they freeze up. I also use the tweezers to grip and organize small cables in my workspace - total game-changer for keeping my desk tidy without spending money on expensive cable management solutions.
Phone stand — Snap the knife's key ring attachment and the small screwdriver over the corner of your phone for a mini phone stand. Just feed the key ring through your phone's case, and now it's at the same perfect angle for hands-free video calls or movies. Pro tip: Make sure the phone's screen is face up to prevent accidental damage when placed face down. Emergency seatbelt cutter - On rare occasions, you may need to cut a seatbelt in an emergency (whether you're a driver or passenger), the tiny blade on the Swiss Army knife can serve the purpose. Just be careful that you are using it to cut only the belt, not any other items as well. Safety tip: Get comfortable with it in a safe environment. Wine opener replacement - If you don't have a corkscrew in the house, gently remove the cork from your wine bottle with the nail puller. It's not as easy as a specially designed corkscrew, but in a pinch, it does the job. Pro-tip: Be consistent in the pressure you apply and try not to break the cork into the bottle. Screwdriver for automobile interior repairs - When your car's dashboard rattles or when a small screw falls out, use the flathead screwdriver to tighten it up. The small size means you can even bring it in on the road for tight spots that a larger screwdriver doesn't fit into. Tip: Be sure to turn the screw the right way when tightening to avoid stripping. Mini hammer - When you have a solid, durable knife, the butt of the Swiss Army Knife handle can function as a mini hammer (with emphasis on "mini"). It does the job for lightly tapping fingernails or quickly adjusting in a tight space. Note: Do not use this on delicate items—it's a tool, not a sledgehammer.
As a Swiss national with a small collection of Swiss Army knives that I accumulated since I was a Boy Scout in Zurich, I found three interesting and fun hacks to utilise a basic Swiss Army knife in your daily life. For these three hacks, I have used the Victorinox basic knife, called Huntsman: 1. Loosen and open up a tight knot with the corkscrew Have you ever struggled to open up a tight knot, such as on your shoes? Solution: 1. Open your corkscrew in your Swiss Army knife. 2. Take your knot and slowly screw the corkscrew into it between the knot. Make sure you do not pierce through the rope that makes up the knot, but go through the gap. 3. Once the corkscrew has a grip on a part of the knot, pull on it and loosen the knot. 4. Now, unscrew the corkscrew and open the knot. Pro-Tip: Ensure the spiral of the corkscrew is larger than the rope, as you do not want to damage the string, but rather loosen it. That means skinny cords are more suitable for the corkscrew, and if you have a thick rope, feel free to use the chisel or multipurpose hook to loosen the knot's gap. 2. Can opener with small screwdriver to peel oranges or use as a staple remover Do you want to peel an orange or remove a staple, but worry about having smelly nails from the peeled orange or not having a staple remover around? Solution: 1. Open the tool "can opener with small screwdriver" in your Swiss Army knife. 2. Take your orange and push the can opener into the orange skin. With a straight line, go down the orange. Make sure you only go skin deep and not into the orange. 3. For the staple opener, use the same tool and turn your paper so that the back side of the staple is visible. 4. Insert the small screwdriver underneath the bent staple and straighten it. 5. Turn your paper over again and carefully remove the staple. Pro-Tip: Make sure to wipe the can opener dry after peeling the orange, so the Swiss Army knife lasts longer. 3. Smartphone stand with the multipurpose hook Want to have a stand for your smartphone, but don't have one? Solution: 1. Open the multipurpose hook and turn the Swiss Army knife so that the hook points downward. 2. Carefully lay the Swiss Army knife on the table with the hook, so that it stands by itself on the table. 3. Lean your smartphone on the Swiss Army knife and enjoy watching your videos. Pro-Tip: If the smartphone slips down, ensure you use a non-slip surface, such as a textile or leather surface.
I advise my clients who frequently need to film themselves with their phones. I call it the the Emergency Phone Stand Open the large blade and corkscrew at perpendicular angles. Boom—instant phone stand for video calls or watching movies. Pro tip: The corkscrew angle adjusts for portrait or landscape mode. I discovered this during a client pitch when my laptop died. Saved the meeting, landed the account.
Use the corkscrew to toasty a marshmallow when you forget the stick. It sounds crazy until you try it. Just turn it like a bottle of fluff and when it is done put it over the fire and turn it slowly to get that nice golden brown. It puts you in better control than a stick does, and the audience will be in the mood of being confused to amazed when yours appears out unburned. Or use your mini screwdriver that is in the corkscrew and fasten your sunglasses on the fly. That little thing is the best thing to fit those impossible screws than any other thing in your bag. Work on a tray, or other light surface just in case the screw falls because when it is lost it is lost.
The tiny grey tweezers are great for pulling out splinters or small glass shards. The flathead screwdriver fits most screen frame fasteners and can also tighten door hinges or open paint cans. It's small but strong. And in a pinch, the little blade works great for cleaning under fingernails after a messy job. Just be gentle, tilt it sideways, and scrape out the grime.