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A Swiss Army knife is a small, handy tool that’s perfect for fishing trips. It helps you cut tangled fishing line, tighten loose screws on your reel, and fix many other problems. Many fishermen say this little red tool has rescued their fishing days. It was first made in the 1890s for Swiss soldiers, but outdoor lovers quickly discovered how useful and tough it is. Whether you fish once in a while or go all the time, having a good Swiss Army knife makes fishing easier, safer, and more fun.
7 Best Swiss Army Knives for Fishing – Our Top Picks
1. Victorinox Fisherman
The Victorinox Fisherman Swiss Army Knife is a useful tool for fishing and outdoor activities. It’s small, lightweight, and easy to carry around. It’s made with strong stainless steel that won’t rust and can handle being dropped. The blades come sharp and stay sharp for a long time. The fish scaler can also scrape wood or work as a fork in a pinch. The scissors are sharp enough to cut fishing line and other materials. The hook is great for pulling up tent stakes when you’re camping. This knife is a great companion for fishing trips and camping adventures.
Pros
- Strong, durable build quality
- Very sharp scissors and blade
- Great as gift for fishing enthussiasts
Cons
- Corkscrew is not quite a usefull function when fishing
2. Victorinox Angler
The Victorinox Angler Swiss Army Knife is a handy tool for fishermen who want something small, tough, and useful on fishing trips.
It has strong pliers that help you remove hooks from a fish’s mouth. The pliers can also cut fishing line. To do this, open the pliers slightly, place the line between them, and they’ll easily cut through any type of fishing line.
If you like to enjoy a glass of wine while fishing, there’s a corkscrew to open the bottle. You can also use the corkscrew to untangle messy fishing line. Like other Swiss Army knives, this one has replaceable parts like tweezers and a toothpick.
The built-in fish scaler has another clever use: if a fish swallows the hook, you can slide the scaler along the fishing line until you reach the hook, then push it out of the fish’s throat.
The Victorinox Angler is a great choice for fishermen. However, it’s missing one important feature: scissors, which is why it ranks second.
Pros
- It has strong pliers
- Nice fishing feature: the Fish Scaler
- It’s pocket-friendly and easy to carry in a tackle box or on a key ring
Cons
- It lacks scissors; when fishing, a pair of scissors is essential.
3. Victorinox SwissChamp
The Victorinox SwissChamp is a great tool to bring on fishing trips. This large Swiss Army knife has 33 different functions, and several are perfect for fishing.
When you hold it, it feels solid and sturdy. It’s bigger than a small everyday knife, but the extra size means you get many more tools. It weighs 6.5 ounces. You can use it for fishing, camping, or everyday tasks at home.
The fish scaler is very useful – you can clean fish with it or remove hooks from a fish’s throat. The SwissChamp also has sharp scissors for cutting fishing line or fabric. It comes with two blades: a regular-sized one for general tasks and a smaller one for detailed work.
If you want to cook a meal outdoors during your fishing trip, this knife is helpful. It has a wood saw to cut firewood and a can opener for canned food. There’s also a bottle opener and corkscrew for drinks – whether you want juice or wine.
Pros
- It has a variety of tools to choose from
- Has a decent price tag
- Easy to attach to your belt or backpack using the key ring
Cons
- It is bulky; some might consider it too heavy.
4. Victorinox Fieldmaster
The Victorinox Fieldmaster is a popular Swiss Army knife that many outdoor lovers consider one of the best for camping, fishing, and hiking. It weighs only 3.5 ounces and has 15 different tools.
The scissors and blades get the most use. They’re great for cutting fishing line, fabric, or cleaning fish. The small saw can even cut through branches up to 2 inches thick, which is impressive for its size.
When eating canned food on fishing trips, you could open cans with the blade, but that will make it dull over time. The built-in can opener solves this problem. There’s also a Phillips screwdriver, which may be helpful depending on what fishing gear you bring.
Overall, the Victorinox Fieldmaster is a reliable and practical multi-tool that works well for fishing, outdoor activities, and everyday tasks. It’s not the biggest or fanciest tool available, but it’s versatile, durable, and simple to use.
Pros
- Blades and saws are very sharp straight out of the box.
- It is versatile for outdoors.
- It is easy to use and practical
Cons
- Some might argue that this Swiss Army Knife is too small
5. Victorinox Huntsman
The Victorinox Huntsman is another excellent Swiss Army knife for fishing. While it looks like the Fieldmaster and has similar tools, it’s different in its own way.
The large blade, small blade, and saw are all very sharp and stay that way for a long time. You can use the saw to cut small branches for a campfire, the small blade to remove a fishing hook from your clothes or clean a fish for cooking. The Huntsman handles all these tasks well.
The scissors and tweezers are more useful than you might expect. The multipurpose hook makes it easy to remove hooks from freshly caught fish.
The Huntsman comes in many colors and designs because it’s so popular. This Swiss Army knife is a classic tool that will last for years. It also makes a great gift for friends or family who enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, or other outdoor activities.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Perfect gift for your family or friends
- Has every tool you need for any outdoor activity
Cons
- Sometimes the tools at the bottom might be hard to open.
6. Victorinox Deluxe Tinker
The Victorinox Deluxe Tinker Swiss Army Knife is a compact, versatile tool for everyday tasks and outdoor activities, such as fishing, camping, or hiking.
The knife has two blades: one large and one small for cutting fishing line, rope, or bait. It also has scissors that work smoothly for clean cuts, plus both Phillips and flathead screwdrivers (built into the can and bottle openers). One of the best features is the pliers, which are just the right size for removing hooks deep in a fish’s mouth. However, because they’re small, they’re not meant for heavy-duty jobs. The pliers also help you safely straighten a bent hook without hurting your fingers. When it’s time to eat, the can opener works on canned food, and the bottle opener handles drinks.
Overall, the Victorinox Deluxe Tinker is a great addition to your fishing gear and should prove useful on your next fishing adventure.
Pros
- Excellent toolset for outdoors
- Reasonable price for value
- Mid-sized Swiss Army knife
Cons
- A wood saw would be a great addition.
7. Victorinox Ranger 91mm
The Victorinox Ranger is a great Swiss Army knife for fishing, bushcraft, or any outdoor activity. It has 21 functions and weighs 3.8 ounces. This sturdy, versatile knife includes two blades, scissors, a wood saw, a metal saw, and a metal file, making it especially useful outdoors. It also has multiple screwdrivers, a can opener, a bottle opener, a wire stripper, a corkscrew, a hole punch, a hook remover, tweezers, a toothpick, and a key ring. With all these tools, the Ranger feels like a compact toolbox you can carry anywhere.
On a fishing trip, the Victorinox Ranger proves its value in simple, practical ways. You can cut or trim fishing line, prepare bait, adjust gear, and open canned food, all with one tool. If you need to cut branches for a campfire or open a bottle of fine wine, the Ranger is ready. Its tools are easy to access and simple to use, even for beginners.
Pros
- It has a wide range of tools
- Its sturdy, compact and perfect for outdoors
- Great addition to your fishing gear
Cons
- Some might dislike the price tag
What to Look for Before Buying a Swiss Army Knife for Fishing
Before buying a Swiss Army knife for fishing, think about a few important things to make sure you get the right tool. Not all Swiss Army knives are the same, and some work much better for fishing than others.
- Fishing-specific tools – The fish scaler and hook remover. These make cleaning fish and removing hooks much easier without needing extra tools in your tackle box.
- Good cutting tools – You want both a large blade and a small blade so you can pick the right size for each job. Use the large blade for bigger tasks and the small blade for detailed work like trimming fishing line or bait. Look for sharp, stainless steel blades because they resist rust and stay sharp longer, which matters when you’re around water.
- Tools for handling line and gear – Scissors and screwdrivers let you quickly trim fishing line or tighten loose screws on lures or tackle boxes. Many fishing knives include a multipurpose hook or small ruler so you can measure your catch right away.
- Size and Weight – A SAK for fishing should fit easily in your tackle box or pocket without being too heavy, especially since you’ll be carrying other gear. Smaller knives are easier to carry but have fewer tools. Larger knives have more functions but weigh more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is a Swiss Army knife useful for fishing?
A Swiss Army knife puts several tools in one small package. For fishing, it can cut line, trim bait, open food cans, fix small gear problems, and help with basic fish cleaning.
2. Which tools are most important on a fishing Swiss Army knife?
The most useful tools are a sharp blade, scissors, fish scaler, hook remover, screwdrivers, and tweezers. These handle most common fishing tasks.
3. Can I cut fishing line with a Swiss Army knife?
Absolutely. The blade or scissors work great for cutting fishing line quickly.
4. Is a Swiss Army knife good for removing fish hooks?
Models with a hook remover make it safer and easier to take out hooks, especially small ones or hooks that are stuck deep.
5. Can I clean a fish with a Swiss Army knife?
You can clean small and medium-sized fish using the blade and fish scaler.
6. Will a Swiss Army knife rust near water?
Quality brands like Victorinox use stainless steel that won’t rust easily, but rinsing and drying the knife after fishing helps keep it in good condition.
7. Can it help fix fishing gear?
Yes. Screwdrivers tighten loose reel screws, scissors fix tangled line, and blades cut damaged cord or netting.
8. Is a Swiss Army knife enough for all fishing needs?
It covers most basic needs when fishing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the best Swiss Army knife for fishing means understanding what you really need when you’re near the water. A good Swiss Army knife won’t replace all your fishing gear, but it’s a very helpful backup tool that makes many small tasks easier and faster. When fishing, you want a knife that’s reliable, easy to carry, and rust-resistant, since it will often be around water and outdoor conditions.
The most important features to look for are useful, practical tools. A sharp blade is essential for cutting fishing line, trimming bait, or cleaning small fish. Scissors are also very useful, especially for cutting braided line or making clean cuts without using the main blade. If possible, fishing-specific tools like a fish scaler or hook remover are a big plus, as they make handling fish safer and easier. Small extras like tweezers, screwdrivers, and bottle or can openers may seem minor, but they can be very helpful on long fishing trips.
Overall, the best Swiss Army knife for fishing is one that fits your fishing style and feels comfortable to carry. With the right Swiss Army knife in your pocket or tackle box, you’ll stay prepared, organized, and ready for the common situations that come up on the water.
Hi, I’m Johnny, the chief editor at Svetools.com. Since I was a kid, DIY has been my thing – playing around with all sorts of tools, from power tools to classic wrenches. I started the Svetools blog to share my love for DIY and all things a house Handyman should know. Whether it’s product reviews or essential how-to’s articles, I cover it all. Need assistance or have a question? Hit me up using the details on our contact us page.