I've always been fascinated by pocket knives. Swiss Army knives especially. There's something so cool about cramming a bunch of tools into one functional package that you can stick in your pocket or gear bag. Used to be, Swiss Army knives have mainly been thought of as the outdoorsman's or survivalist's tool. Well it is the geek era now folks and to usher in this period is the CyberTool from VICTORINOX. This is the same company that has been making Swiss Army brand knifes for over 100yrs.

My CyberTool was a gift from Microsoft at the Mobius conference that Judie and I attended this fall. I remember pulling it out of the small tin box and thinking WOW, this thing is sooooo cool! Lest you think I'm the only geeky girl around, Judie did her share of oh's and ah's too. I think she gave hers away to her husband though... I kept mine for myself!

The CyberTool is a geek and computer tech's dream tool. This baby is packed with 34 different blades, bits and widgets. Here's what you get:

Large and Small Blades Bit Wrench and Bit Case 4mm & 5mm Hex Sockets 4mm Hex Bit 4mm Flat Head Bit #8,#10, & #15 Torx Bits #2 Phillips Head Bit 3mm Small Screwdriver 6mm Large Screwdriver Mini Screwdriver #0, & #1 Posidrive Bits Ballpoint Pen DIP Switch Setter Can Opener Bottle Opener Wire Stripper Wire Cutters Wire Crimper Reamer Corkscrew Straight Pin Hook Crochet Key Ring Toothpick Tweezers Pliers Scissors

This knife is available in Black, Red and Sapphire translucent colors. There are also 29 and 41 tool versions as well.

The CyberTool 34 weighs 5.5oz (156g) and is 3.58in long x 1in wide (91mm x . So, it isn't a small pocket knife by any stretch of the imagination. You probably won't be comfortable carrying it in a jeans pocket either. Maybe a side cargo pants pocket though.

I'll admit that I don't use all the tools that the CyberTool offers. Like the crochet hook, toothpick, corkscrew, can/bottle openers and tweezers... But the blades and screw drivers see very frequent use from me. I'm always needing to do things like open the back of my computer, take the plate off the back of a PDA, cut open a box, or tighten the screws on my eye glasses.

One thing that I can't find on my CyberTool is the straight pin... I have no idea where it is or even if I have one with my knife. If anyone knows where it is, let me know.

The bit driver is the niftiest feature of this knife. You get 4 dual headed bits that fit in the 5mm hex socket driver. 3 of the bits store in a unique fold-out tray. The tray folds under the driver so that the bits can't fall out and become lost. The bits included are: Philips 0,1,2, Standard and hex 4mm and Torx(R) 8,10,15 bits. Also included are 3mm and 1.5mm drivers; the 1.5mm driver is suitable for tightening eyeglass screws.

You also get a pair of pliers and scissors. I am surprised how rugged the pliers are. They made of thick stainless steel and can be used to cut and strip wire.

What I like best about this knife is that every blade and tool snaps open or closed with an audible click. I know I'm crazy, but things like that equal a quality product in my mind. The CyberTool has a very solid and well constructed feel to it and makes a great gift for just about anyone.

Price: $75.00

Pros:
Variety of screwdriver and Torx bits
Quality product
Major geek appeal

Cons:
Big and heavy