I can still remember digging my nails under the plastic lip on the top of my little knife. I was 10 years old, and I owned a knife that had a toothpick on it...a toothpick! My friends were envious, and although I don't remember actually using the toothpick - I had it just in case. Like a lot of people I know, a Swiss Army knife was one of their first rights of passage. It symbolized the gateway to responsibility. A few months ago we were invited to the Victorinox/Swiss Army press event during the Summer Outdoor Retailer show, where they announced the official merger between Victorinox and Wenger - two companies that have been making "Swiss Army Knives" by the millions for years. Thoughts of my childhood raced through my head. Images of the Swiss Army - the REAL Swiss Army came rushing back. I had to be there.

While I was expecting a booth full of multi-purpose knives and tools, the thought hadn't even crossed my mind that the knife from my childhood could have - or would have evolved to keep up with the times. I was pleasantly surprised. The knife that completely took my thinking by storm was the Victorinox Swiss Army Hunter Pro. When I was offered the opportunity to take this knife out, and field test it - I jumped at the opportunity.

A recent camping trip to the Driftless Region of Iowa turned out to be the perfect testing grounds for my new and improved Swiss Army knife. A weekend worth of activities that ranged from sharpening SMORE's sticks to cutting harvest vegetables. Needless to say that when I showed off my new blade around the campfire, the conversation it sparked turned almost immediately turned to childhood memories of Swiss Army knives. By the end of the weekend, I had 4 offers to buy the knife. By that point, there was no way that I was going to part ways. The knife easily performed ever task that I threw its way. Cutting, slicing, sharpening. I know that the Pro Hunter was designed as a hunting knife. The shape of the blade makes it an ideal skinning knife. My use was far more utilitarian. If you're looking for a handsome knife that can hold up to whatever camp can throw at it - then this is a great knife for you. If you grew up with a Swiss Army knife in your pocket - then, the Swiss Army Hunter Pro is a dream come true. Click here for more info