Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet Multi-Tool Review
We’ve kept the Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet Multi-Tool at our side for months—here’s why it’s our pick for the most complete multi-tool
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet and all of its components. Using the ratchet to tighten cleats on a gravel shoe. Courtesy Chris Meehan
October 24th, 2026
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Our verdict
With 38 tools and functions, the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet is the most complete multi-tool we’ve tested. The separate ratchet and extension extend its capability beyond that of most other multi-tools, allowing it to drive hex and Torx screws and bolts, as well as any other bits the user wants to keep in the rack. This makes it useful for tasks that other multi-tools can’t take on, like modern bike repairs and opening up electronics.
We used the Victorinox Swiss Tool X and its ratchet in real-world tests in everything from repairing pedicabs and bikes to fixing windows and doors. We also used it in simulated tests to measure how well its pliers and cutting blades performed. It performed well in all these tasks.
While we praise the Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet for the number of tools it has and its ability to take on tasks that many other multi-tools can't, we also think some of it is overkill. For instance, it has five different widths of flathead screwdrivers—we think just three would be effective. With the extra multi-tool pieces, it’s bulkier and heavier than other multi-tools, and there’s also a lot more to keep track of. We should also note you can purchase the Swiss Tool X by itself and get its 26 tools.
In the end, this is a high-quality multi-tool kit. The micro ratchet allows you to do things you can’t with most other similar multi-tools, but it’s bulkier and we wouldn’t choose this if weight, space, and ease of use are priorities. Hence, the Leatherman ARC beats it out for our overall favorite. But, this is a multi-tool set that we’d keep in the top of a toolbox for quick and easy jobs where we don’t want to keep running back to the box for that one little tool we forgot.
Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet Multi-Tool
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Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet specifications
MSRP: $210
Number of tools: 38 (more bits sold separately)
Weight: 1 lb., 1 oz. (Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet), 10.2 oz. (Swiss Tool X only)
Closed length: 4.5"
Open length: 6.75"
Blade length: 2.75"
Blade material: Stainless Steel
Blade lock: Yes
One-hand operable: No
Included bits: Phillips 3, Torx 10, Phillips 0, Torx 15, Hex 3, Hex 4
Made in: Switzerland
Warranty: Lifetime Warranty (Swiss Tool X) / 2-year warranty (Accessories and leather sheath)
Comparison table
| Multi-Tool | MSRP | Weight | Tool Count | Tool Material | Blade Material | Locking Blade | Scissors | Screwdriver(s) | Bottle Opener | Ratchet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet | $210 | 16.1 oz | 38 | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Leatherman ARC | $250 | 8.6 oz | 20 | Stainless steel | MagnaCut steel | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Leatherman Wave Alpha | $200 | 8.3 oz | 18 | Stainless steel | MagnaCut steel | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Leatherman Wave Plus | $130 | 8.5 oz | 18 | Stainless steel | 420HC stainless steel | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Gerber Stakeout Spark | $80 | 5.4 oz | 10 | Stainless steel | 5Cr15MoV stainless steel | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Who is the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet for?
Those working on projects around the house or garage
Those who frequently fix equipment
What we liked
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet with all tools displayed. Courtesy Chris Meehan
The micro ratchet is great for working on smaller projects
Great overall quality and assortment of tools
Only multi-tool we tested with a corkscrew
Uses standard bits
What could be better
Multi-tool is more of a multi-tool kit with numerous, easy-to-lose smaller parts
Leather belt sheath has compartments for all the tools, but it’s huge, kinda like carrying a brick on your hip
Victorinox could have a better balance of tools and functions on the Swiss Tool X. For instance, we don’t need four flathead screwdrivers, but different-sized Phillips screwdrivers would be nice. Adding a hole to the awl/reamer would make it better for fixing boots and canvases.
Scissors could be more robust
Our testing protocols
Doing electrical work with the Victorinox Swiss Tool X. Courtesy Chris Meehan
Test 1: Blade and cutting performance
We tested the Victorinox Swiss Tool X blade in the same way we tested the blades of nearly 20 other multi-tools.
Before testing each blade we looked at them through a microscope, looking at the blade angle, bevel and sharpness. Then we ran them through a battery of tests to simulate real life uses and environments and gave each a score between 1 and 5 in each test. That included how well they sliced through 2 inches of foam, made multiple cuts through paracord and cardboard, and sliced into and carved 7/16-inch wood dowels—this allowed for a better apples-to-apples comparison than cutting through branches, which aren’t uniform throughout.
After all the other tests, we went back and cut the paracord again to see if there was any noticeable decline in cutting ability. Then we looked at the blade through the microscope again to determine if there was any damage to the blade after testing. We also compared the blades to a utility knife blade and an X-ACTO-style blade to see if they outperformed the multi-tool knives.
Test 2: Pliers, wire cutters, and gripping performance
We did a uniform test of the wire cutters across all multi-tools with them. We used them to cut and strip larger (12-gauge) and thinner (22–24-gauge) wires, and to cut spokes and bike cables. This tested their ability to cut hard and soft wires and whether or not they could actually strip wire without damaging stranded wires in particular.
To assess gripping performance we did real-world testing since we didn’t have access to torque and grip sensors to make an equal comparison. We used them to grip and tighten nuts and bolts in a variety of situations and sizes.
Test 3: Saw
Since Treeline Review started with backpackers, they’re still core to us and our values, and having a pocket saw is important in the backcountry. As such, we tested each saw on the same dowel we whittled into tent stake points and cut. With two rows of hungry teeth, the saw on the Swiss Tool X ripped through wood like a school of piranhas—and was among the best we tested.
Test 4: Carry, ergonomics, and daily use
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet nestles neatly into its sheath. Courtesy Chris Meehan
Testing the ergonomics of a multi-tool is a more subjective test than most of the others we did, considering it’s about the feeling of the tool in the hand, as well as the ease of accessing every tool or function within the multi-tool.
To test the Swiss Tool X’s ergonomics, we used it as an EDC tool over multiple days, carrying it in our pocket and using the sheath and complete Plus Ratchet tool set on a belt. During that time we used it for tasks including working on an electric bike motor, and vehicle repair.
Test 5: Durability and a season in the field
Our durability tests evaluated the most-used tools, particularly those most prone to wear and tear—like the knife, saw, and wire cutters. We relied on our observations and looked for any damage to the tools. We also evaluated whether there was any large damage to the body of the tools, and whether we noticed any changes in how the locks and hinges performed over time.
Test 6: Lock safety
To evaluate lock safety, we opened the knife and locked it in place then applied a significant (but not extreme) amount of force to the spine of the knife to see if it remained properly locked and whether it experienced any sort of failures. We repeated the test with other locking tools to see how well the locking mechanism works on each multi-tool. Hence we were able to evaluate the spine or back locks, frame locks, and liner locks of each tool.
Performance in the field
Victorinox’s Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet was among the top performers in every category. The knife and saw blades cut exceptionally well and the pliers and wire cutters were among the best in their class. With external access to tools, it’s quick and easy to change from one tool to another in a job. The ratchet and its ability to use normal bits is a great addition.
Blade and cutting
Carving a dowel into a tent stake with the Victorinox Swiss Tool X blade. Courtesy Chris Meehan
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X uses the classic blade styling that’s graced Victorinox’s knives since the introduction of the Swiss Army knife in the 1890s. There’s a reason for it: the plain-edge, stainless steel, drop-point knife had a sharp edge that performed very well across all of our tests, except for cutting through inches of foam. While it did well on that test it didn’t slice through as smoothly as blades like that on the Leatherman ARC or Wave. In the second paracord test, it didn’t seem to cut the paracord quite as easily as during the first test, either. Upon examining the blade pre and post-test, the blade didn’t appear to show any significant damage, although it looks like there was an imperfection in the initial sharpening of the blade.
Wire cutters and pliers
The needle-nose pliers made easy work of the springs on these gas line hose clamps. Courtesy Chris Meehan
Pliers on the Swiss Tool X are among the beefiest we tested. They were about the same as the Gerber Center-Drive Plus in terms of broadness and smaller than the Gerber Dual-Force, which has adjustable slip-joint pliers for bigger jobs. The jaws didn’t open quite as wide as those on the Leatherman ARC or Gerber Center-Drive Plus, but the teeth offered great purchase for turning bolts and gripping other things. The thicker metal of the needle nose on the Swiss Tool made getting into narrow spots a little more difficult. But it still worked well.
In terms of cutting and stripping thin and thick wire, the Swiss Tool X was among the top performers, rivaling the performance of the Leatherman ARC, our top overall pick. They were also among the top performers for cutting bike spokes. However, they didn’t perform as well when cutting bike cables and we had to use them multiple times to chop through all the braided strands of wire. Still, they are among the top performers in these categories.
Locking mechanism
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X is one of the few tools we tested with external access to all of the tools. Each folding tool locks securely when opened and releases with a sliding mechanism. It’s easy to lock tools into place for use and easy to grasp the sliding mechanism that allows you to release and fold them back into the handle.
With this locking system, each of the externally accessible folding tools on the Victorinox Swiss Tool X locks into place separately or together. Once locked in place we pressed against both the front and back of the tools to see if there was any give or play at the hinge and found the locking mechanism had no play and seemed very safe.
Tool access
Using the Victorinox Swiss Tool X scraper to remove gasket residue from a lawnmower engine. Courtesy Chris Meehan
With the exception of the pliers and wirecutters, all the tools on the Victorinox Swiss Tool X are available externally. This makes it easier and quicker to access them when working on a project that requires multiple tools. The separate ratchet and its bits, as well as the micro flathead screwdriver are also accessible separately from the main tool, while the separate corkscrew locks into the main body of the Swiss Tool X.
However, access to those tools is not as easy as it is on our top pick, the Leatherman ARC, and requires two hands and oftentimes some amount of fingernail to access and open. The joints for opening and closing everything but the pivot on the pliers are stiff by design and some tools seem redundant on the main tool body, which can make finding the right tool quickly harder.
Bit driver
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet uses the same types of bits that regular drills and screwdrivers use. This is a big plus. The case for the ratchet and bits also has space for more, making it easy for users to customize the bits they carry to their needs. We used the ratchet and bits to work on bikes, pedicabs, and around the house. For tools to carry on rides, see our Essential Mountain Bike Accessories guide.
Despite its minuscule size, we found the ratchet pretty robust. We wouldn’t choose it for a job that requires a lot of torque or to tighten hexagonal nuts—it doesn’t come with any sockets, either. But it’s a great alternative to a handheld screwdriver for many tasks.
Ergonomics
Doing maintenance on a hydraulic disc brake with the Swiss Tool X. Courtesy Chris Meehan
This device feels solid, but large and chunky in hand. I generally wear men’s large gloves and can’t fully close my fingers around the Swiss Tool X when fully closed. However, in testing it was easy to get a firm grasp around the tool for cutting, turning screws, piercing pipes, and more. The large handles also made it easy to grasp in plier mode, but the slick surface of the stainless steel made it a little more slippery than the G10 handles on the Leatherman Wave Alpha or the matte finish on the Leatherman ARC or Gerber Stakeout Spark, for instance.
The Swiss Tool X itself is among the heaviest and largest multi-tools we tested, and it feels like it in hand. While you can access the folding tools in the handles with the pliers closed—it’s more difficult to open them than on other multi-tools, like Leatherman’s ARC and Wave tools.
When adding the ratchet, corkscrew and handsome leather carrying case, it becomes a small, but well-designed brick of a toolset. The pouch is designed to hang on a belt and though it looks better than a Nokia 3310 or BlackBerry on a belt, it’s still honking big and heavy—just over a pound!
In terms of daily use, it works well and feels solid. Once you deploy a tool, it’s not going anywhere until you release the lock. The ratchet works fantastically. It’s simple, has the ability to use the extension in different ways making it a more functional tool for reaching into narrow spots or offering additional leverage with a longer arm.
Everyday utility
Fixing castors on a cart with the Swiss Tool X. Courtesy Chris Meehan
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet is the most complete multi-tool set we tested and it’s highly functional for everyday use for everyone from building superintendents and remodelers to sportspeople, bushcrafters, and outdoor adventurers. It can do just about everything, and some things other multi-tools can’t do. However, it’s big, heavy, and has multiple parts. If some of those pieces get lost, you lose that functionality. If you’re in the backcountry camping, biking or doing snowsports, it’s bigger and heavier than you’d normally like to carry. But it shines as a work, home, or overlanding-type tool.
Durability and construction quality
We’ve only had the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet for a few months, but from what we can tell and based on my 25+ years of using my older Victorinox multi-tool, the Swiss Tool X is well built, highly durable, and designed for longevity. In my time with that tool, I’ve used countless other tools, knives, and multi-tools and have damaged many and lost others, but the Spirit X is a workhorse that I keep coming back to and I’m sure the same is true of the Swiss Tool X based on its similar design and tools.
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet is something you’d gladly pass down to your kids or niece or nephew (when they’re old enough to not lose the individual parts). It’s a handsome tool in a great, well-designed pouch.
The stainless steel tools aren’t prone to rusting or oxidizing over time. Should you break an important tool, like the knife or scissors, however, you would have to send it back to Victorinox for a fix, since it is put together with rivets rather than screws or bolts.
Sustainability
Like most of the multi-tools we tested, Victorinox’s tools came in simple cardboard boxes with no plastic waste. In its 2024 sustainability report, Victorinox says all purchased electricity for its three Swiss operating sites came from renewable sources and that 79% of its direct suppliers underwent environmental, social, and governance risk analysis. Learn more about the company’s sustainability efforts in their latest 2024 report.
FAQ
Using the ratchet on the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet to adjust a hydraulic bike disc brake. Courtesy Chris Meehan
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Yes, the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet offers the largest number of tools that we tested. Considering that, it offers a great value compared to many of the other multi-tools that we tested.
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Yes, it comes with a ratchet, six bits, and the ability to add four more in the bit holder.
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The Swiss Tool X uses stainless steel, but Victorinox’s current product page does not specify the alloy grade. We haven’t independently confirmed the alloy in our test sample, however, the Swiss Tool X appears to be made of the same durable steel as other Victorinox tools I have used extensively.
Should you buy the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet multi-tool?
Buy if:
You need a multi-tool with the most functions
You’re looking for a multi-tool with some expandable capabilities
Size and weight don’t matter
Skip if:
You’re worried about losing small parts of a toolset
Lightweight and small size are a priority for your multi-tool needs
You want a multi-tool that solves most issues in a smaller, more compact toolset
You don’t need all the tools and multiple flathead screwdrivers of the Swiss Tool X
Where to buy the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet multi-tool
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet multi-tool has limited availability, but you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
Amazon
Pros: Fast, free shipping on eligible orders with Amazon Prime; delivery options depend on the item, seller, and address.
Victorinox
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the manufacturer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return due to a defect.
Advice on where to buy
In general for gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns.
Other multi-tools to consider
Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet vs. Leatherman ARC
MSRP: $250
Number of tools: 20
Weight: 8.6 oz
Closed length: 4.25"
Open length: 6.45"
Blade length: 2.76"
Blade material: MagnaCut stainless steel
Blade lock: Yes
One-hand operable: Yes
Included bits: Reversible Phillips/ flathead bit
Made in: US
While the Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet boasts 38 tools, making it the most complete multi-tool we tested, it still didn’t best the Leatherman ARC multi-tool as the best overall. The ARC has a better mix of tools that most people will use more often and they’re much easier to access. Some of the tools on the Swiss Tool X itself feel redundant. For instance, it probably doesn't need four or five different flathead screwdrivers.
Both multi-tools offer outside access to all the tools other than the pliers and wirecutters. But the ARC makes it really easy to access all the tools, including the blades, pliers, wire-cutter, and more with one hand. With the Swiss Tool X you usually need one hand to hold the body and the other to open the tool, thanks to the extra friction that holds tools closed or open.
The Leatherman ARC also is a singular tool. The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet includes a pouch, ratchet and bit holder as well as a separate corkscrew and mini screwdriver. It’s great having all of that added versatility to the multi-tool but it also means it’s easier to lose one or more of those tools over time.
Leatherman ARC
Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet vs. Leatherman Wave Alpha or Leatherman Wave Plus
MSRP: $200 (Alpha)/ $130 (Plus)
Number of tools: 18
Weight: 8.26 oz
Closed length: 4.04"
Open length: 6.25"
Blade length: 2.88"
Blade material: MagnaCut stainless steel (Alpha)/ 420HC stainless steel (Plus)
Blade lock: Yes
One-hand operable: Blades, saw, and file can be opened while the Wave is closed. The scissors on the Wave Alpha can also be used while it is closed.
Included bits: Eyeglass screwdriver, Phillips #1-2 & 3/16" screwdriver
Made in: USA
The Leatherman Wave is now available in two forms: The Wave Alpha and the Wave Plus. The Alpha has a MagnaCut blade, G10 composite handles, and a slightly different toolset from the Wave Plus. Its upgraded blade and handles add $70 to the price.
The Wave Alpha is another top choice for a multi-tool, albeit a more limited one than the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet. With a reversible flathead/ Philips head drive and a reversible mini-screwdriver among its 18 tools, the Wave has a great set of tools for everyday use.
With the external ratchet and bit set as well as the corkscrew and mini flathead screwdriver the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet offers more versatility, especially when it comes to driving Allen and Torx screws. But it comes at the price of having a much heavier and larger set of devices in the Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet.
If you need something lighter and more compact, go with the Wave Alpha or Plus. If you need a multi-tool that can do more and aren’t worried about size, weight and tracking multiple small pieces, Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet is a better tool.
Leatherman Wave Alpha
Leatherman Wave Plus
Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet vs. Gerber Stakeout Spark
MSRP: $80
Number of tools: 10
Weight: 5.4 oz
Closed length: 4.5"
Open length: 6.3"
Blade length: 2.5"
Blade material: 5Cr15MoV stainless steel
Blade lock: Yes
One-hand operable: Somewhat
Included bits: None
Made in: China
The Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet and Gerber Stakeout Spark are two different multi-tool beasts. The Gerber Stakeout Spark is more of a specialist tool for camping while the Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet is more ideal for everyday work and a complement to a toolbox.
That’s most evident in weight and size differences. The Gerber Stakeout Spark weighs about a third as much as the Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet kit and just over half as much as the Swiss Tool X alone.
The Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet is great for a variety of things like working on handyman jobs, bikes, electrical and residential things. The Gerber Stakeout Spark is more purpose built for camping and doesn’t even have a screwdriver bit. But it does have some unique tools like a stake puller, a ferro rod and multiple attachment points, like a belt clip and carabiner attachment.
If you need a camping multi-tool the Stakeout Spark is ideal for you. If you need a versatile multi-tool that can do more than others, go with the Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet.
Gerber Stakeout Spark
Why you should trust us / About the author
I’ve relied on multi-tools for decades, using them for everything from car and home repairs to bike work, camping and more. One of my favorites, which I use weekly—if not daily—I’ve had since I was a mountain guide in Colorado in 2001. Over the years I’ve collected a number of them and keep them in strategic places like the console of my car, the bag I keep in my pedicab, whichever backpack or activity tub I’m using the most in the season. So I’m well versed in what to look for and how to use the various parts of a multi-tool.
As one of the first reviewers for Treeline Review, starting in 2019, I’ve covered a lot of outdoor adventure gear across multiple activities, among them hiking, camping, climbing and mountain biking.
Beyond my work with Treeline Review, I have authored multiple outdoor guidebooks. My most recent Falcon Guide, "Colorado’s Best Front Range Adventures: The Greatest Hiking, Climbing, Paddling and More From Denver to Colorado Springs and Fort Collins," arrived in Spring 2021. In it, I cover the region's best hiking, biking, climbing, and rafting. I’m also the author of Falcon Guides’ "Climbing Colorado's Fourteeners: From the Easiest Hikes to the Most Challenging Climbs" and edited Justin Lichter’s excellent guide to thru-hiking titled "Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker's Guide To Ultralight Hiking And Backpacking." This experience has helped me become a first-rate gearhead and product tester.
I have 20-plus years of exploring, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, climbing, guiding, and playing in the wild. I worked with National Geographic and their mapping division in developing their Colorado 14ers Map Pack Bundle. I’ve written about hiking and climbing for Elevation Outdoors, including stories about Colorado 14ers and outdoor apps to boost adventures.
In addition, I’ve written columns about ultralight hiking and gear for Backpacker, gear reviews for Treeline Review, Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, Popular Science, and other publications, including Elevation Outdoors, 5280, and more.
At Treeline Review, we strive to offer unbiased reviews to help you find the best product for the price. Treeline Review doesn’t accept sponsored content, native advertising, or paid reviews. I am not sponsored by any companies, nor are any of my family members sponsored by, employees of, or ambassadors of any of the companies in this review.
Find more of Chris Meehan’s reviews on his Treeline Review author page.
