I bought this XAVT knife from Amazon and received it just this week. I had previously owned the XLT and people always commented on the size of that knife, but the XAVT blows it away.
Just before I opened the box, I wondered whether it would really be that much larger than the XLT. Well, I wasn't disappointed. In fact, it put a smile on my face. The XAVT is absolutely HUGE. The XLT is just over 1-1/2" in width, while the XAVT is 2-1/2" wide. It has every tool you could ever imagine needing, and more you probably wouldn't consider. Be prepared for others commenting on this thing when you remove it from your pocket. This knife is insane - and I mean that in the best possible way.
It also has a very nice LCD displaying the time and all manner of other functions. The alarm may not be loud, but it isn't disappointing, either - it's perfectly acceptable (comparable to what you might hear from a digital watch). And the display - most notably, the digits and symbols - will light up in a really nice blue when the button on the side of the knife is pushed and held for a couple of seconds.
Which leads me to the next thing: Victorinox did a nice job with that button on the side of the knife which operates the functions shown on the LCD display. The button is actually in the shape and color of the Victorinox symbol and is integrated so nicely into the side of the knife, that I didn't even recognize it was a button to begin with. I discovered it only by accidentally placing pressure on it. It was a very creative touch and Victorinox did a great job.
The knife is quite weighty, and very solid, and arrived in perfect condition from Amazon, so I have no complaints. The box it arrived in was damaged, but the knife was fine. And I wouldn't be concerned too much about the box - it's not a nice leather-type box; rather, the box is cheap and probably something I'd throw away, anyway, so no real loss there.
The red sides of the knife are slightly textured - different from the smooth finish found on the XLT. But it was just fine, because I actually prefer the textured finish. Prior to receiving it, I wasn't sure if I'd like it - I thought maybe the textured sides of the XAVT wouldn't look good or feel good in my hand, but I was pleasantly surprised. The texture is a very fine grain and actually allows for more of a "tooth" or grip when holding it, which is preferable - to me, anyway - and becomes more important especially when taking into consideration the size of the knife. Not to mention, the texture will hide any hairline scratches and wear better.
The knife has an LED light, as well. It's surprisingly bright for a little LED, and the button on the light is easy to operate and clicks on and off, so no constant pressure is required to use it. The light is also in a great location, nested among the other tools, so when holding the knife, it's very comfortable and natural to turn the light on and off with a flick of the thumb.
Victorinox spent time paying attention to the details here, because I quickly found out that the little tiny screwdriver that's stored in the corkscrew (and removable, by the way) will actually serve to open up the battery compartment associated with the LCD display, as well as the battery compartment for the LED light. Again, nice touch. And it makes changing batteries a snap.
I don't really know what else I can say about the knife, other than all the tools are of high quality. They're solid and will see a lot of use from me.
Some people complain that the knife is too big to use or carry in a pocket. I say, "Nonsense!". I realize every one is different, but for me, this knife is extremely practical from a usability standpoint, and I carry it in my pocket everyday and will continue to do so.
The only thing I can't quite figure out about the knife - and this has more to do with Victorinox's motives for what tools they chose to integrate - is why, on the underside of the knife, they have two hook tools of the same shape and size right next to each other, and two small flathead screwdrivers of the same shape and size right next to each other. What's the purpose of having two of the exact same tool in immediate proximity of each other, in the same knife? And then to do it twice (once with the hooks, and again with the screwdrivers)? Makes no sense to me, unless there's a purpose behind it that I'm unaware of, and in which Victorinox failed to reveal. I believe they could've (and should've) capitalized there and integrated two different, additional tools by making one of the hooks and one of the flathead screwdrivers on the underside of the knife, each something else. But again, maybe it's not merely an oversight. Maybe there is indeed a reason for their decision in designing it that way...
...Maybe the two flathead screwdrivers side by side (which are half an inch or so apart) when being used together, serve as a divot repair tool on the golf course; and maybe the two hooks side by side (which are also half an inch or so apart from one another) when being used together, either double your load carrying capacity or simply offer more stability in carrying a bag or pulling on something. Who knows? Just an idea.
So besides that minor (but understandable) quibble, is there anything I would change or add to the XAVT? In short, yes, there is:
- DESIRED IMPROVEMENTS:
1.) I'd make all the tools truly lockable. In other words, when they open up, they should all lock in place, and then have a separate release mechanism of some sort (not just pressure on the tool itself) in order to close them. This would make the knife much safer to use (it's not dangerous, per se, in its current state, but there is a risk, especially when using the blades, and locking tools would make the knife even more stable and secure).
2.) I would also like to see a three-position, ratcheting feature (clockwise, counter-clockwise, and locked) on the screwdrivers that accept the changeable bits.
3.) I'd like to see them make the integrated (and removable) tweezers larger overall and diamond coated so they have some real grip. (For the time being, maybe I can file the inside surfaces of the tweezers a bit, so they're not so smooth and will grip onto things better).
4.) I'd like to see a higher quality, harder, less flexible plastic used for the toothpick.
5.) And I'd like to see an integrated compass of some sort. It wouldn't have to be digital necessarily - even analog (and maybe that would be better). But small and integrated into one of the sides.
Would adding these four features/changes increase the complexity, length, weight, and price of the knife, slightly? Yes, it would. But I don't care. Anyone who is prepared to pay this much for this knife and carry it around in their pocket will find value in locking tools, ratcheting drivers, and a better set of tweezers and toothpick; and won't care about a few more millimeters of length, a few more ounces of weight, and a few more bucks. It all would make the knife even better.
6.) If I were Victorinox, I would also make a really nice black leather pouch for the XAVT. They have one for the XLT, but not the XAVT. And they shouldn't make some cheap, junky, leather pouch, but a really nice one with a snap of some sort (NO Velcro!). Something worthy of a $250 knife and their flagship multi-tool.
7.) I'd also like to see this knife come with the choice of blue for the side color (as they offer on a few of their other knives), not just the standard Victorinox red, while keeping the same texture on this XAVT.
There are other little additions I'm certain I could think of that would be nice to see integrated into the XAVT (e.g.: a removable blade sharpener; and/or a removable Swedish FireSteel (for building fires)).
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- CONCLUSION:
So there you have it. I'm pretty good at looking at products and seeing where and how improvements could be made, and nothing is perfect, so I often have suggestions. But apart from the desired improvements I listed above, this knife is a marvel in so many ways. It's feature-rich, uses high quality materials, has great construction and solidity, and looks and feels great. I couldn't imagine a better, more flexible knife or all-around multi-tool for anyone who loves to camp, hike, hunt, fish, pursue hobbies, or make repairs. The XAVT would even come in handy for a soldier, come to think of it. Quite frankly, I think just about anybody would benefit from this do-it-all knife!
It's expensive; but to me, worth every penny. And since I've had long-term experience with my Swisschamp XLT, I have no reason to believe that the XAVT won't hold up just as well and serve me long term. I'm very happy with this knife.
Highly recommended.