Cap Lifter

CAP LIFTER

The Cap Lifter, like so many other Swiss Army tools, is designed to do more than just one thing. This tool started out as the simple flat head screwdriver found on both the original soldier knife and the more deluxe officers knife. Over time the screwdriver evolved to include the cap lifter. Eventually the write stripper was added to give us the "modern" Cap Lifter tool.

See Also: The Combo Tool which combines a Cap Lifter with a Can Opener.

Description

Victorinox

Description

58mm Cap Lifter

Found on a handful of 58mm models, this Victorinox tool works as a nice cap lifter, despite its small size. Since 1997, Victorinox has added a small wire stripper immediately beyond of the cap lifter portion of the tool. At the end of the tool is a screwdriver. Some models have a flat headed screwdriver tip (see the Rover) while others sport a phillips head screwdriver tip (see the Rally). These tips are magnetic.

84mm and above Cap Lifter

Both the Victorinox (pictured) and Wenger larger Cap Lifters look remarkably similar today. The front of the tool is blunt and flat. This makes it an excellent screwdriver for large sized flat head screws. The bottom side curves slightly upwards and then drastically down with a small hook at the end. This is used to hook the edge of a bottle cap, and then pry up. Just behind the hook is a small notch. This notch can be used to strip wires.

On 91 mm (and 93mm Alox) Victorinox Models, the lifter stops (friction lock/catch) when opened at both 90° and the 180° (fully opened). The catch (friction lock) is a little stronger when fully extended. On the 84mm models it only catches at 180°. The extra catch helps keep the tool from unintentionally closing during use.

The only major difference between the brands is that modern Wenger knives use a unique spring mechanism on the tool. When pressure is applied along the length of the knife, the tool "falls" into the knife slightly, thus locking it in place until the pressure is released. This works as very practical safety lock when using the tool as a screwdriver.

108mm Cap Lifter

The 108mm Cap Lifter is attached to the end of a Wood Saw and is part of what may be the first version of an Openers Combo Tool.

111mm Cap Lifter

The original Cap Lifter for the Slide Lock 111mm knives is very similar to the 91mm model, and appears small relative to the size of the knife.

Original 111mm Cap Lifter vs. Newer 111mm Locking Cap Lifter

111mm Locking Cap Lifter

111mm Victorinox lockblade models that use a liner-lock, such as the popular Trekker, have a full locking Cap Lifter/Screwdriver. The screwdriver end is roughly 7mm in width. The Cap Lifter tool retains the catch (friction lock) at 90° present on the 91/93mm knives, but at 180° the Liner-Lock must be released to close the tool. The 111mm Cap Lifter is also considerably stronger, being thicker at the base than a regular one, and can be used as a small Prying tool.