Reamer

The Reamer is present on many Victorinox models. Historically the tool started out as an Awl, some people still refer to it as such, but Victorinox is currently referring to it as a Reamer, Punch. In 1961 the Awl was redesigned and given a sharpened edge, making it more suitable for use as a Reamer. Typically the tool is located on the backside of the knife and may include a hole through the blade known as a Sewing Eye. The current (2008) 91mm backside version extends 37.7mm, with a sharpened edge of 22.8mm.

The Reamer is typically used for punching holes in lighter material such as Leather or Canvas, and drilling (or reaming) holes into materials like wood. The tool is tapered so as with any Reamer it can be used to enlarge a whole by twisting and scraping the edges of the opening. The sewing eye can be used to push/pull a heavy thread through Canvas, Nylon, or any material the tool can penetrate. The Sewing Eye was first added to the Reamer in 1992.

The Reamer has a hardness rating of RC 52, but it is not known if this applies to all versions if the tool.

There are currently three versions of the tool in production. The basic variation is with, or without, a sewing eye. The third is a version included on the Alox scaled knives.

91mm Vintage Awl

The older original Awl is easy to identify on a knife when folded as its outer surface is rounded to conform nicely with the scales. The bottom and inner surfaces are flat and triangular in shape, the inner edges are not sharpened, but they are not rounded either.

Alox 93mm Version

The Alox scaled knives don't have backside-tools, so the Reamer is on the front-side and shares the layer with the main blade. This variation has a distinctly different shape/design with a more pronounced taper, and right angle bend at the top edge forming the spine of the blade. This bend aids in reaming of some materials and also serves as a catch to open the tool, rather than the typical nail-nick on the side of the blade. This version does not include a sewing eye and is the shortest, but it has a sharpened edge of 29.9mm, which is longer than the 91mm version. On many materials this version is actually the most effective, or efficient, reamer. Note: this tool is also included on the large 91mm collector knives the SwissChamp XAVT and the SwissChamp XXLT.

108mm Version

The discontinued 108mm version of the tool really is more of an Awl, and does not contain a sewing eye. The tool is slightly longer (48.6mm), more pointed, and has a slightly less sharp edge.

111mm Version

This version of the reamer has a shape closely matching the 91mm version, but larger. Earlier version included on the 111mm Slide-Lock model contained a sewing eye, while the newer Liner-Lock knives do not have the sewing eye on their reamer. It measures 37.3mm with a sharpened edge of ~25mm (~23.7mm for version with sewing eye).

The Wenger tool is most often closer to a regular Leather Awl without any sharped edges.

85mm Version

120mm Version

Standard

Mike Horn Version. This new version that first appeared on the NewRanger Mike Horn model, is quite unique. This tool has a cylindrical design that has a sharpened edge and works well for drilling/cutting holes in wood and softer materials.