The Swiss Army Knife --SwissCard lite( Made By Victorinox)
Review By M.A.K( The Expedition Team)
Namaste,
When I set out to review adventure gear for my website, I knew I had to start with the tool I consider most essential-one that’s been a constant companion on my treks and has, at times, been crucial for survival. Naturally, my thoughts went straight to the Swiss Army knife and the various multi-tools I own.
Over the years, I’ve built up a respectable collection of Swiss Army knives and continue to add to it. Out of all the models I own, my favorite is the credit card-sized SwissCard Lite. I have the red version, but it’s also available in blue and black.
According to the official Victorinox website, the SwissCard Lite retails for around $40.
In India, prices on e-commerce sites are typically ₹4,000 and above-though I do hope these are genuine and not Chinese copies being sold as originals.
Design and Portability
The SwissCard Lite is almost exactly the size of a credit card, making it incredibly lightweight and easy to carry. Weighing just 26 grams, it slips effortlessly into any hiking bag or even a wallet. Here are the dimensions:
Height: 4 mm
Length: 82 mm
Width: 55 mm
Weight: 26 g
Specifications
Item number: 0.7322.T2
Country of origin: Switzerland
Material: ABS/cellidor
Blade lockable: No
One-hand blade: No
Number of features: 13
Available colors: Red, Blue, Black
Functions
The SwissCard Lite packs 13 (4 included for screwdriver) functions into its slim profile:
-
Small blade
-
Pressurized ballpoint pen (perfect for jotting down important notes, like emergency contacts)
-
Straight pin
-
Tweezers
-
Ruler (3 in / 7.6 cm)
-
Mini LED light (red LED in the red model)
-
Magnifying glass (3x)
-
Screwdriver with four functions: 3 mm, 5 mm, Phillips 00/0, Phillips 1/2
-
Scissors
Performance and Real-World Use
Let me share a couple of stories illustrating just how useful this tool can be.
During a winter expedition in Siberia, I was gifted some omul fish by a fisherman at Lake Baikal. That night, after setting up camp, I realized my main knife was packed away in another bag. Fortunately, I had my SwissCard Lite handy. Despite its small size, the blade did a surprisingly good job cleaning the fish. In extremely cold conditions and with gloves on, the small blade was a bit tricky to handle, so I eventually fetched my larger knife. Still, the SwissCard’s blade remained sharp and effective, even after years of use.
Another memorable moment occurred on a Trans-Siberian train journey from Irkutsk to Novosibirsk. A fellow passenger was struggling to fix his wife’s purse chain. Although he had a knife, it wasn’t quite right for the job. Without a word, I handed him my SwissCard Lite. He used the scissors to repair the chain, and both he and his wife were grateful for the help.
These experiences underscore the Swiss Army knife’s value: having a compact, versatile tool on hand can make a real difference in unexpected situations.
A Few Cautions
Do not carry the SwissCard Lite in your carry-on luggage when flying or in places with strict rules on sharp objects-you may have to surrender it.
The tools are sharp; keep them away from children unless supervised.
Long-Term Impressions
As someone who travels frequently, from train journeys to remote treks, I’ve found the SwissCard Lite consistently useful. After several years of use, it has maintained its sharpness. However, I have noticed that the blade and pin no longer fit as snugly in the case, so I use a bit of tape or a rubber band to keep them secure.
While the SwissCard Lite is on the pricier side, its quality and utility make it a worthwhile investment for long-term use-especially if you take good care of it.
If you found this review helpful and would like to support my work, consider buying a coffee or using my Amazon or Flipkart affiliate links to order your gear. It won’t cost you anything extra, but it helps me continue providing honest reviews of adventure equipment, some of which can be quite expensive.
Thank you for reading, and happy adventuring!
