Victorinox Ranger Grip 55 Onyx Black

The Victorinox Ranger Grip 55 Onyx Black makes an immediate impression. Its all-black, monochrome finish gives it a sleek, modern, and slightly tactical look that stands out from the traditional red and silver Swiss Army knives, immediately setting it apart as something special.

I’ve had the Onyx for a couple of weeks, during that time I have been using it for everyday cutting tasks around the house, from light DIY, opening packages, and breaking down cardboard boxes. While these aren’t exactly pushing the knife to its limits, the Onyx performed them all with effortless precision. The ergonomically contoured handles provide a reassuringly secure grip, making the knife feel comfortable and stable in hand.

One of its most distinctive features is the lock release mechanism. Instead of the usual side-shifted locking bar, Victorinox has integrated the release mechanism into the shield logo on the handle. Pressing down on the emblem disengages the blade lock. This is something that really impressed me, it’s a much more elegant, intuitive, and arguably safer design than the usual method of disengaging the lock. A clever and innovative touch to an otherwise traditional tool. My only minor concern is that the logo button might show signs of wear after extended use, but that’s purely speculative at this stage. As mentioned earlier the knife is covered in a monochrome coating, which gives it the distinctive Onyx look. It’s worth noting that the monochrome black finish, while striking, is still a surface coating. Victorinox emphasises its resilience, but with heavy use, scratches and wear will inevitably appear.

Finally the price, the Onyx will cost you £127.19 (at time of review) on Amazon. The standard Ranger grip 55 price is £79 (at time of review). The standard Ranger Grip 55 offers the exact same utility for a much lower price. Functionally, there is no difference. The choice basically comes down to whether you want the Onyx treatment or not. Personally I think the Onyx version looks great.

Overall, the Ranger Grip 55 Onyx Black is both practical and stylish blending striking aesthetics with reliable Victorinox functionality, a well designed tool, it’s a worthy addition to any EDC kit or knife collection. Maybe a modern classic in the making.