Test of time

by Patrick Kerin
Hunter 4

Leaving for the range one day, I gathered up the things I never go anywhere without and realised that one of them is also one of my oldest possessions.

It has been with me to the top of the highest mountain in South America, to New Zealand fishing, Victoria camping and New South Wales shooting. It is seldom out of reach.

When I bought it about 15 years ago, I had only three requirements of a Swiss Army knife. It had to have a decent sized locking blade, a corkscrew and it had to be light. Despite the huge range available, only one model matched my requirements almost exactly and it has proven to be good choice.

Despite the passing of years, my knife continues to serve me faithfully on a daily basis. The blade is long enough to serve as a kitchen knife for making lunches on the trail, but when tougher jobs come up the security of a locking blade is appreciated.

Being lightweight, carrying it is never a burden, even when just dropped in a pocket. These days on a tighter budget, I rarely have use for the corkscrew, since my preferred drop (Chateau Cardboard) doesn't require any tools to open. Nevertheless, it remains ready for duty should an 'occasion' demand it.

The bottle cap opener still sees some use in the warmer months whenever I discover painfully that the amber fluid of choice doesn't have a twist top. The screwdriver has proven strong enough to loosen even the tight action screws on a rifle.

I suspect the most often used feature apart from the blade has been the toothpick. Those of us with 'aftermarket' teeth will appreciate this little lifesaver the most.

The last and least used feature is the awl. I have yet to see a Swiss Army knife without one and the only known use I have ever heard attributed to it was for 'removing boy scouts from horses hooves'. As neither horse nor boy scouts have ever found themselves in need of my help, mine remains largely unused, but I remain prepared.

My knife has withstood years of use with little to mark the passing of time. You might say that it has passed that toughest of tests - the test of time.