How to Use a Swiss Army Knife
Learn how to use the main features., Use the large blade., Unfold the small blade., Use the corkscrew., Open cans with the can opener., Identify the bottle opener., Find the reamer., Use the key ring., Pull the tweezers and toothpick from the end of...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn how to use the main features.
There is a wide variety of possible functions, but many of these are limited to expensive special-use knives.
If you're using a simple, standard Swiss Army knife, then you'll probably only be working with 4-10 basic tools.
Most Swiss Army knives include some combination of the following:
Large blade and small blade Corkscrew Can opener with 3 mm flat-head screwdriver Bottle opener with 6 mm screwdriver, plus wire stripper and bender Reamer and hole punchKey ring Tweezers Toothpick -
Step 2: Use the large blade.
This is the basic component of the Swiss Army knife.
This blade is usually about as long and thick as the knife handle.
Use it for almost anything that requires a knife.
Be sure to exercise knife safety: always cut the knife away from your body, and be very careful not to let the blade snap shut with your fingers in the way.
Cut your food, or gut a fish, or slice paper.
Carve your initials into a tree or whittle a piece of wood into another shape.
Cut anything that needs to be cut. , Your knife may or may not include a small blade.
It usually holds the same shape as the large blade, only slightly smaller.
Use it in situations that call for a more delicate touch. , Some Swiss Army knives include a metal corkscrew for opening wine bottles.Fold the corkscrew out so that it extends straight out from the knife – as though the knife body is the handle.
Use the knife-handle to twist the corkscrew into the cork, and pull firmly on the handle to remove the cork from the bottle.Be sure to remove the mini screwdriver first, if your knife includes this feature.
Not all Swiss Army knives come with a mini screwdriver. , This is not your modern twist-cut can opener: it is an old-school manual can opener.
Put the lip of the can into the cap of the can opener, then press the sharp bit into the lid of the can until it punctures through.
The tip of the can opener also functions as a 3 mm flat-head screwdriver!You can also use the tip of the can opener on Phillips-head screws, if you angle it to use the point instead of the flat breadth. , Use this to open bottles of your drink of choice.
The flat tip of the bottle opener also functions as a 6 mm flat-head screwdriver.
Use it when you need something larger than the 3 mm can opener screwdriver.
Look for the wire stripper and bender.
It is a small notch on the bottom of the bottle opener tool., This tool is also known as an awl.
Use it for punching holes in materials like leather or canvas, and for drilling (or reaming) holes into sturdier materials like wood.The tool is intentionally tapered so that you can enlarge a hole by digging deeper and scraping the sides with the sharp edge. , Find this hanging from the outside of your knife.
You can use this to clip the knife to your key-chain, your belt loop, or another handy location.
You can also attach other useful tools or survival necessities to the Swiss Army knife to keep them in the same place. , The end of the tweezers usually looks like a small knob of grey plastic, while the end of the toothpick is a small knob of tan plastic.
Make sure to wash the tweezers and toothpick after each use! -
Step 3: Unfold the small blade.
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Step 4: Use the corkscrew.
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Step 5: Open cans with the can opener.
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Step 6: Identify the bottle opener.
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Step 7: Find the reamer.
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Step 8: Use the key ring.
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Step 9: Pull the tweezers and toothpick from the end of the knife handle.
Detailed Guide
There is a wide variety of possible functions, but many of these are limited to expensive special-use knives.
If you're using a simple, standard Swiss Army knife, then you'll probably only be working with 4-10 basic tools.
Most Swiss Army knives include some combination of the following:
Large blade and small blade Corkscrew Can opener with 3 mm flat-head screwdriver Bottle opener with 6 mm screwdriver, plus wire stripper and bender Reamer and hole punchKey ring Tweezers Toothpick
This is the basic component of the Swiss Army knife.
This blade is usually about as long and thick as the knife handle.
Use it for almost anything that requires a knife.
Be sure to exercise knife safety: always cut the knife away from your body, and be very careful not to let the blade snap shut with your fingers in the way.
Cut your food, or gut a fish, or slice paper.
Carve your initials into a tree or whittle a piece of wood into another shape.
Cut anything that needs to be cut. , Your knife may or may not include a small blade.
It usually holds the same shape as the large blade, only slightly smaller.
Use it in situations that call for a more delicate touch. , Some Swiss Army knives include a metal corkscrew for opening wine bottles.Fold the corkscrew out so that it extends straight out from the knife – as though the knife body is the handle.
Use the knife-handle to twist the corkscrew into the cork, and pull firmly on the handle to remove the cork from the bottle.Be sure to remove the mini screwdriver first, if your knife includes this feature.
Not all Swiss Army knives come with a mini screwdriver. , This is not your modern twist-cut can opener: it is an old-school manual can opener.
Put the lip of the can into the cap of the can opener, then press the sharp bit into the lid of the can until it punctures through.
The tip of the can opener also functions as a 3 mm flat-head screwdriver!You can also use the tip of the can opener on Phillips-head screws, if you angle it to use the point instead of the flat breadth. , Use this to open bottles of your drink of choice.
The flat tip of the bottle opener also functions as a 6 mm flat-head screwdriver.
Use it when you need something larger than the 3 mm can opener screwdriver.
Look for the wire stripper and bender.
It is a small notch on the bottom of the bottle opener tool., This tool is also known as an awl.
Use it for punching holes in materials like leather or canvas, and for drilling (or reaming) holes into sturdier materials like wood.The tool is intentionally tapered so that you can enlarge a hole by digging deeper and scraping the sides with the sharp edge. , Find this hanging from the outside of your knife.
You can use this to clip the knife to your key-chain, your belt loop, or another handy location.
You can also attach other useful tools or survival necessities to the Swiss Army knife to keep them in the same place. , The end of the tweezers usually looks like a small knob of grey plastic, while the end of the toothpick is a small knob of tan plastic.
Make sure to wash the tweezers and toothpick after each use!
About the Author
Jessica Turner
A passionate writer with expertise in hobbies topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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