Totally agree that the Rambler is a more than equal alternative to the Minichamp with it’s (IMHO) poor tool spec. However, think the Manager with its additional “emergency” pen beats them both. Great reviews mate, keep them coming!!
I love the Mini Champ and have both celidor (scales swapped to get rid of the pen) and Alox models. They get paired with the contrasting scales on whatever larger SAK I'm carrying. For me, the "cuticle pusher" is a great little poking/prying tool, and the ruler is more of a depth guage. I also prefer having a separate nail cleaner and small flat screwdriver. My hobbies often leave my fingernails dirty and I don't like using a sharp blade to clean them. I have several Classic SDs and a couple Ramblers but I always miss the nail cleaner tip when carrying them. Some people say the Mate/Vagabond is a good compromise but, to me, they both fall short without the nail cleaner. I sold my Swiss Champ because I found I didn't use several of the tools at all, but I do use every tool in the Mini Champ pretty regularly. For it's size I think it's one of the most impressive SAKs available. I even bought one for my friend's birthday recently.
Dude, 😅 we’ve all watched so many Victorinox reviews online that we all know you were suggesting the “cuticle pusher” is actually a cocaine spoon. Someone made that funny comment once and it just stuck. We’ve been watching too many Victorinox videos lately, let’s be honest.
Mini champ for me. Package opener is safer and doesn't dull your main blade and the backup blade in case the main blade breaks. Plus the space pen. Plus the cuticle pusher, which doubles as a very effective prybar/screwdriver/ear wax remover. Plus, the ruler with small screwdriver tip. Nothing keychain size beats it. And yes, I EDC the Mini Champ as my main blade/Multitool.
I have both an Alox Minichamp and a Manager that I modded to replace the scales with Titanium ones to effectively become an Alox Rambler (which does exist but is sadly no longer sold). I couldn’t be happier with my “Alox Rambler”, it is so thin that I completely forget that I have it. I believe you can pretty much do everything with a Rambler that you can with a Minichamp. Sure, the Minichamp might be able to do some things slightly better but to me it’s not worth the extra size. For me, there’s no question, I prefer the rambler. That said, here are some things I think is better about the Minichamp: The cuticle pusher can be used as a large flathead driver and a pry tool or spudger, good for those things that are too tough for your nails. The second blade can be kept sharp and clean, perhaps used for food. The box opener can keep the other blades from getting dull so quickly and also as a scraper and hook.
I love that small Phillips. It even works on a lot bigger screws than I expected (if they are not very tight). And just recently, I partially disassembled two laptops that had recessed Phillips screws with my Jetsetter. They would have been too small and too deep for the SD tip.
I am in agreement with you on this subject. I use small key chain type multitools partly as supplemental sort of first aid tools in my outdoors first aid kit. Did smile when you mentioned traciotomies but it's mostly a lot less dramatic than that, thorn/wood splinters and stingers from irate insects. I'm going to retire my Wenger SD in the role and I think a Rambler would be fantastic.
I think the mini champ was originally a medical tool. Cuticle pusher was for measuring powder or pills. And the package opener was for field surgery kinda stuff etc
I replaced the pen scale with a toothpick scale which reduced the thickness of the minichamp and got rid of a tool I would never use for one I would. Been carrying a Rambler for over 30 years but gonna give this modified minichamp a shot.
Is there a way to add a file to the back of the ruler from the MiniChamp? That would mean we could eliminate the MiniChamp file/nail cleaner and that worthless scoop thing and save space (Thinner). Be more along the size of the Vagabond but way more useful and lighter than the MiniChamp! In fact, just bring back the VagaBond!
I love the Rambler. As someone who does a lot of work with electronics, I find the 58mm combo tool to be invaluable because the phillips works in size 0 and even in some 00 size phillips screws. Also, it's magnetized which is very helpful. That said, I do find the Alox version of the Minichamp to be tempting...
You can also use that tiny magnet as a compass if you connect a hair strand thin piece of string in the middle of your Rambler.. the knife will eventually spin around & point to "true north". For me, the Minichamp just has too many useless tools on one side. Rambler all day !
In places where it’s illegal to carry a lot of knives the mini champ may be someone’s only knife. So having an extra blade you keep especially sharp for emergencies is more useful than you might think. Also if you’re only carrying a small multi tool then the extra thickness between the two models makes no difference. If you have other EDC I get what you’re saying.
IMO, basically, the minichamp is an MD's knife. (cf. "cuticle pusher", "orange peeler", quasi-scalpel) Edit: I forgot one: the "how-big-is-the-tumor - scaler"
Totally with you on the ruler layer being a waste of space on the Minichamp. At the end of the day if you want a ''nail picker'' can't you just use the tip of the blade anyway?? The Rambler and it's other incarnations including pens/lights (Manager/Midnite Manager) are sufficient imo.
I don't own either one of those knives, and I think I'd have a tough time choosing between the two. But I think I would lean a little more towards the Rambler. Cheers, buddy!
It’s not emergency blade😂 it’s a letter opener. Same shape letter openers have always had. Oddly the SAK website also says it is for opening letters. Not operating on people 😆 it would open a plastic package as well though
The manager or signature I think us better than the ramblers but the rambler is very close behind. I always thought the Mini champ was a bit silly but got one.. but it was cheap and I like to collect and use them 🤷♂️. It turns out I really like it. I tend to use my small victorinox for more medical things and it suits that really wall. The extra very sharp knife is good, tweezers, I use the cuticle pusher more for extracting splinters and such anything you need to add some presher to. I very rarely have clean hands when at work so a blunt, clean ish tool is really handy. I like to have a pen hence why I like the manager and signature, and I want the flat screwdriver but always preferred to have the nail cleaner on the old ones as with the scissors it's a great tool for cutting your nails. And the orange peeler is quite good, I do peel oranges with a knife so do use it. Bt the really good bit is the front edge is shaped to use as a scraper gret for getting sticky stuff of things and genrally prodding thing with a shaper edge that isn't your knife. Finally the bottle opener is very important, I don't like bulky keys so only ever have a small victorinox on them, I can open a bottle with many things but a dedicated tool is genrally better. And more things now use tiny Philips screws for batter compatments, which the nail cleaner can open by the new style flat can't but the proper little Philips dose really well.
I have had on my keychain a minichamp from the first year of production! That one had six blades the later ones have eight blades! I would like to tell you that i have used every item on the minichamp daily! But i haven't. If fact it has come in handy for one or two odd jobs but most of it hasn't! But its the same story with any high tool swiss army knives? I mean how much of the swisschamp is used? But i am on minichamp three now and it comes everywhere with me! I cant remember the date they were first invented my guess would be early 90s but its got some amazing cool factor comments from people and i bet ive had a dozon or so want to buy one over the years? Strangely its females who seem to love them most???
I'm sorry your wrong,I have the mini champ on my keys and it's fabulous. Been on there 2 months,not used it yet but my cuticles are in a growth period I recon they will be pushed back imminently. So there.👍😜🤣🤣☘️
Very important to push cuticles regularly. Apparently some people cuticles grow over the mail so that’s why pushers are a thing but I don’t know if it’s an emergency.
not really a fan of any 58mm stuff. 74mm stuff is more practical and now it's all discontinued. My Nail Clip 580 is decent and way better than a Classic SD for grooming.
The cool thing about the philips head/ bottle opener is that the tip is magnetic. Very useful imo.
Totally agree that the Rambler is a more than equal alternative to the Minichamp with it’s (IMHO) poor tool spec. However, think the Manager with its additional “emergency” pen beats them both.
Great reviews mate, keep them coming!!
Den stift kann man an jedem kleinen victorinox anbringen.
I love the Mini Champ and have both celidor (scales swapped to get rid of the pen) and Alox models. They get paired with the contrasting scales on whatever larger SAK I'm carrying. For me, the "cuticle pusher" is a great little poking/prying tool, and the ruler is more of a depth guage. I also prefer having a separate nail cleaner and small flat screwdriver. My hobbies often leave my fingernails dirty and I don't like using a sharp blade to clean them. I have several Classic SDs and a couple Ramblers but I always miss the nail cleaner tip when carrying them.
Some people say the Mate/Vagabond is a good compromise but, to me, they both fall short without the nail cleaner.
I sold my Swiss Champ because I found I didn't use several of the tools at all, but I do use every tool in the Mini Champ pretty regularly. For it's size I think it's one of the most impressive SAKs available. I even bought one for my friend's birthday recently.
I went for the midnite manager for the torch and the pen. Love the combo tool and scissors but I generally use my EDC for for those.
Dude, 😅 we’ve all watched so many Victorinox reviews online that we all know you were suggesting the “cuticle pusher” is actually a cocaine spoon. Someone made that funny comment once and it just stuck. We’ve been watching too many Victorinox videos lately, let’s be honest.
Mini champ for me. Package opener is safer and doesn't dull your main blade and the backup blade in case the main blade breaks. Plus the space pen. Plus the cuticle pusher, which doubles as a very effective prybar/screwdriver/ear wax remover. Plus, the ruler with small screwdriver tip. Nothing keychain size beats it. And yes, I EDC the Mini Champ as my main blade/Multitool.
I’m sorry but what on earth do u use the baby ruler for?
@@ritagasper1958measuring the thickness of another SAK to order pivots for a custom hack job 93mm, of course!
I have both an Alox Minichamp and a Manager that I modded to replace the scales with Titanium ones to effectively become an Alox Rambler (which does exist but is sadly no longer sold). I couldn’t be happier with my “Alox Rambler”, it is so thin that I completely forget that I have it. I believe you can pretty much do everything with a Rambler that you can with a Minichamp. Sure, the Minichamp might be able to do some things slightly better but to me it’s not worth the extra size. For me, there’s no question, I prefer the rambler.
That said, here are some things I think is better about the Minichamp: The cuticle pusher can be used as a large flathead driver and a pry tool or spudger, good for those things that are too tough for your nails. The second blade can be kept sharp and clean, perhaps used for food. The box opener can keep the other blades from getting dull so quickly and also as a scraper and hook.
I agree and i left this same comment on Jon Gadget's channel. Rambler is a far better option for a keychain knife, which rarely anyone's "main knife".
I love that small Phillips. It even works on a lot bigger screws than I expected (if they are not very tight). And just recently, I partially disassembled two laptops that had recessed Phillips screws with my Jetsetter. They would have been too small and too deep for the SD tip.
It’s definitely nice to have.
I am in agreement with you on this subject. I use small key chain type multitools partly as supplemental sort of first aid tools in my outdoors first aid kit. Did smile when you mentioned traciotomies but it's mostly a lot less dramatic than that, thorn/wood splinters and stingers from irate insects. I'm going to retire my Wenger SD in the role and I think a Rambler would be fantastic.
I think the mini champ was originally a medical tool. Cuticle pusher was for measuring powder or pills. And the package opener was for field surgery kinda stuff etc
I think the ‘ruler’ is a depth gauge - makes sense if you look at the measurement layout - thanks for a great vid
I replaced the pen scale with a toothpick scale which reduced the thickness of the minichamp and got rid of a tool I would never use for one I would. Been carrying a Rambler for over 30 years but gonna give this modified minichamp a shot.
Agreed! Minichamp needs a redesign!
Is there a way to add a file to the back of the ruler from the MiniChamp? That would mean we could eliminate the MiniChamp file/nail cleaner and that worthless scoop thing and save space (Thinner). Be more along the size of the Vagabond but way more useful and lighter than the MiniChamp! In fact, just bring back the VagaBond!
I love the Rambler. As someone who does a lot of work with electronics, I find the 58mm combo tool to be invaluable because the phillips works in size 0 and even in some 00 size phillips screws. Also, it's magnetized which is very helpful. That said, I do find the Alox version of the Minichamp to be tempting...
Having a small Phillips is definitely handy working with electronics. I e used it quite a bit onpedals and my amps
You can also use that tiny magnet as a compass if you connect a hair strand thin piece of string in the middle of your Rambler.. the knife will eventually spin around & point to "true north". For me, the Minichamp just has too many useless tools on one side. Rambler all day !
In places where it’s illegal to carry a lot of knives the mini champ may be someone’s only knife. So having an extra blade you keep especially sharp for emergencies is more useful than you might think. Also if you’re only carrying a small multi tool then the extra thickness between the two models makes no difference. If you have other EDC I get what you’re saying.
IMO, basically, the minichamp is an MD's knife. (cf. "cuticle pusher", "orange peeler", quasi-scalpel)
Edit: I forgot one: the "how-big-is-the-tumor - scaler"
They certainly adapted the “emergency” blade from their earlier doctor’s and pharmacist’s knives.
Rambler has the best tool set for the money. I give them as gifts
Totally with you on the ruler layer being a waste of space on the Minichamp. At the end of the day if you want a ''nail picker'' can't you just use the tip of the blade anyway?? The Rambler and it's other incarnations including pens/lights (Manager/Midnite Manager) are sufficient imo.
I don't own either one of those knives, and I think I'd have a tough time choosing between the two. But I think I would lean a little more towards the Rambler. Cheers, buddy!
Trick question. The SAK Manager reigns supreme!
Pete you can’t say you’re having a bad day when you are talking about Swiss Army Knives.
It’s not a package opener. As you say there is already a knife. It’s an orange peeler and it works brilliantly.
It’s not emergency blade😂 it’s a letter opener. Same shape letter openers have always had. Oddly the SAK website also says it is for opening letters. Not operating on people 😆 it would open a plastic package as well though
I have started to modify an Alox MiniChamp, but I'm not completely sure yet which tools will stay and which ones will go.
Would love to see it when it’s done.
Like the Swisschamp for the 91mm, they just grabbed every 58mm tool and shoved them onto one knife.
Is it possible to use the cuticle pusher as a large screwdriver? Could you make a video showcasing it, if possible?
I’m sure it would be possible with a slight modification. I’ll see what I can do.
I think the Manager is the perfect medium between the two, seeing as the Rogue, Mate, and Vagabond have been discontinued
The manager or signature I think us better than the ramblers but the rambler is very close behind.
I always thought the Mini champ was a bit silly but got one.. but it was cheap and I like to collect and use them 🤷♂️.
It turns out I really like it.
I tend to use my small victorinox for more medical things and it suits that really wall.
The extra very sharp knife is good, tweezers, I use the cuticle pusher more for extracting splinters and such anything you need to add some presher to. I very rarely have clean hands when at work so a blunt, clean ish tool is really handy.
I like to have a pen hence why I like the manager and signature, and I want the flat screwdriver but always preferred to have the nail cleaner on the old ones as with the scissors it's a great tool for cutting your nails.
And the orange peeler is quite good, I do peel oranges with a knife so do use it. Bt the really good bit is the front edge is shaped to use as a scraper gret for getting sticky stuff of things and genrally prodding thing with a shaper edge that isn't your knife.
Finally the bottle opener is very important, I don't like bulky keys so only ever have a small victorinox on them, I can open a bottle with many things but a dedicated tool is genrally better. And more things now use tiny Philips screws for batter compatments, which the nail cleaner can open by the new style flat can't but the proper little Philips dose really well.
Rambler has nice combo of tools on it, that Chinese stiletto is cool.
I think it is too. I was joking it has a few blemishes but it works perfectly. It’s mall ninja tacticool at its finest.
Rambler is a good one! 🤗❤😊
LOL " Most likely a package with your next knife delivery in it." Wait do we know each other?
Would like an Alox rambler...
Off the Mini Champ id take the package opener if it was any good peeing oranges!
I carry a Rambler every day
I have had on my keychain a minichamp from the first year of production! That one had six blades the later ones have eight blades! I would like to tell you that i have used every item on the minichamp daily! But i haven't. If fact it has come in handy for one or two odd jobs but most of it hasn't! But its the same story with any high tool swiss army knives? I mean how much of the swisschamp is used? But i am on minichamp three now and it comes everywhere with me! I cant remember the date they were first invented my guess would be early 90s but its got some amazing cool factor comments from people and i bet ive had a dozon or so want to buy one over the years? Strangely its females who seem to love them most???
I want one of the original Minichamp without the Phillips. I think they’re a bit more refined looking.
I'm sorry your wrong,I have the mini champ on my keys and it's fabulous. Been on there 2 months,not used it yet but my cuticles are in a growth period I recon they will be pushed back imminently. So there.👍😜🤣🤣☘️
Very important to push cuticles regularly. Apparently some people cuticles grow over the mail so that’s why pushers are a thing but I don’t know if it’s an emergency.
"Cuticle pusher" = coke spoon, LOL
That Siletto needs to grow up. Not nearly long enough!
I'm going with the Midnight Manager! Best of both world!
Yes adding the pen to the Ramble puts it over the top. I didn’t have one handy that’s why we got the Rambler. The stiletto is just hilarious.
Rambler is the winner. Minichamp has too many tools and it's too thick
Agreed.
The alox minichamp and rambler are the same thickness at 10mm.
@@devolution000 even my alox one is a bit ticker than 10mm
not really a fan of any 58mm stuff. 74mm stuff is more practical and now it's all discontinued. My Nail Clip 580 is decent and way better than a Classic SD for grooming.
Executive is one of my favorites for around the house.
Will miss the 74mm size
@@swizzarmygrizz I always have about 3-4 knives at my immediate disposal and one of them is always a Victorinox Executive. My most reached for knife.
If they made a Compact, that actually was compact, then I would be all over it. There is still the Cadet and Bantam.
We knives are made in China 🤷🏽♂️