Enthusiasts know the depths Swiss Army Knife will go to with its inspired tool offerings.
You know the usual suspects: blade, can opener, tiny scissors. But the real fun of a Swiss Army Knife? It’s all the unexpected stuff packed in between. For over 140 years, its engineers have been playing the same game of « what else can we cram into this thing? » The answer is everything from genius to totally off-the-wall.
Some of these tools were built for super-specific jobs. Others tried to keep up with new tech. A few feel like the result of too much caffeine and access to a very expensive machine shop. Most were limited runs, special editions, or oddball experiments that quietly disappeared after a few years. But now? They’re collector gold — quirky little masterpieces to make even die-hard fans do a double take.
These are the kinds of gadgets that prove many Swiss Army Knife models are more than just practical. They’re creative, interesting, and occasionally just plain weird. Finding one in the wild? Like spotting a dragon . at a hardware store. Here are 13 of the rarest tools ever squeezed into those pocket-friendly handles.Pharmaceutical spatula
A pharmaceutical spatula, yes, that’s really what it’s called. And no, it’s not for spreading peanut butter. The pharmaceutical spatula is one of the most unexpectedly specific tools to be tucked inside a Swiss Army Knife. Originally designed for pharmacists and lab technicians, this rounded, paddle-like blade was used to mix powders, creams, and other compounds on glass slabs. Think of it as the scientific cousin of a butter knife, only with way more precision (and way less toast).
You won’t find this tool in your everyday pocket knife. It’s only included in ultra-packed models like the SwissChamp XXL, which is basically the Swiss Army Knife equivalent of a fully loaded toolbox on a hinge. Most people won’t ever need this kind of tool in their day-to-day life, but that’s exactly what makes it so cool. It’s a perfect example of how Swiss Army Knife pushes boundaries, caters to niche professions, and occasionally throws in something just because it can.Cigar cutter
Nothing says « sophisticated pocket tool » like a Swiss Army Knife that can properly prep your after-dinner smoke. The cigar cutter is essentially a tiny mechanical marvel disguised as just another knife tool. It all started with Wenger’s springless lopper-style cutter, kind of like mini pruning shears for your favorite stogie. It clipped the cap right off without the need for extra gadgets.
Then Victorinox entered the chat with a totally different take. Their now-retired Cigar Cutter knife was slim, just 74mm in length, and featured a flat blade with three sharpened circular punches. The concept is beautifully simple: Pick the right size for your cigar, place the punch against the cap, give it a twist, and you’ve got a clean hole ready for smoking.
Both versions are specialty tools through and through, and these days, they’re a rare find. For anyone who enjoys the occasional cigar (or just loves owning the weirdest thing in the room), the cigar cutter is a must-have conversation starter.Hoof cleaner
Now this is what it looks like when a brand knows its audience. The hoof cleaner is the Swiss Army Knife’s salute to riders, muckers, and hoof cleaners everywhere. It’s a no-nonsense tool made for one very specific (and very dirty) job: digging mud, stones, and who-knows-what-else out of a horse’s hoof. And if you’re in a pinch? The hoof cleaner can even help pry off a loose shoe in an emergency. It’s not ideal, but if you’re trail miles from a farrier, it sure beats nothing.
Horse riders don’t mess around with flimsy gear, so this had to be the real deal. Fortunately, Victorinox clearly did their homework. The curve is right, the strength is there, and it’s built to handle daily barn work while still folding into that classic Swiss Army frame.
Thinking your knife could use a hoof cleaner upgrade? You’ll only find it on the Equestrian model, which was designed as a complete « in-the-stable » toolkit. The hoof cleaner may be the standout feature, but it’s just one part of a smart, barn-ready setup. There’s also a standard blade for opening feed bags, cutting baling twine, or slicing up an apple for your favorite pasture buddy. Plus, a toothpick slot so you can channel your inner John Wayne anytime, anywhere.Pressurized ballpoint pen
Ready for some space-age fun? The pressurized ballpoint pen takes ordinary writing and blasts it into the stratosphere. The magic? It’s all in the pressurized ink cartridge. Instead of relying on gravity like a regular pen, it pushes ink to the tip using internal pressure.
What does that mean for you? This little pen can write upside down, sideways, in the freezing cold, sweltering heat, and even in zero gravity (just in case you’re journaling on the International Space Station). It’s the same tech NASA uses in their space pens, which means you’re basically carrying a miniature piece of the space program in your pocket.
The pen is fully retractable and blends right into the Swiss Army Knife’s scale, so it’s pretty easy to miss.
