I admitted it. I love smart home tools. My most used appliances tend to be hand-operated kitchen gadgets. You know, the old tried and true: the one-crank apple opener, peeler, and corer comes out once every blue moon when it’s time to make an apple pie.

In the late 1980s, when I started college, I decided I wanted my own Swiss Army Knife. No one in campus housing had any tools. Space was limited, so I didn’t want a bulky toolbox. I wanted several tools in one, an all-purpose tool that I could keep in my backpack. After all, he lived alone and needed to be prepared to get out of any situation that might arise.

I went to a local cutlery shop where they have a wall of knives (this was a few years before the convenience of online shopping). After much deliberation and handling of the knife, I settled on a Victorinox Mechanic model 53441 knife. The pliers and Phillips screwdriver resembled their full size counterparts and I knew they would get the job done. The can opener was an added bonus. I knew I would use it if my can opener was in the dishwasher or outside. The bottle opener would see a lot of action from my friends for party time when a bottled beer or soda needed to be opened.

I carried that Swiss Army Mechanic knife all through college. It went from backpack, to purse, to fanny pack, to my room, to the kitchen and wherever I needed my faithful friend. Unfortunately, I somehow lost it when I moved from my second college apartment to my own home.

I was without a Swiss Army Knife for several years. I got married. I now expected my husband to be the resourceful one when it came to fixing or doing a minor home repair. I gave him a Mechanic with his name engraved on the red handle.

I bought a classic pink 53185 because it was a beautiful carnation pink, small enough to clip to my keyring, and the cutest tool I’ve ever seen. The nail file has a pointed tip which I find more useful than the small screwdriver tip that most classics have. I have cleaned my nails and filed them hundreds of times. In a pinch, when I lost my full-size tweezers, I used the small removable tweezers on my classic pink to pull out an eyebrow hair or splinter. The mini blade opens hard-to-tear cardboard boxes, envelopes, and bubble packs that I sometimes get in the mail. The tiny scissors have had their share of work: cutting threads or clipping my nails.

I am a fan of Victorinox Swiss Army knives because they have served me many times in my own life. Whenever I need a gift for a friend or family member who has everything, I look to Swiss Army and choose a knife that I think will fit their personality and lifestyle.

I have given a Swiss Army knife model Executive 53401 to my father who has an orange orchard. The Executive has an orange peeler that easily cuts through the skin of oranges and citrus. It’s a little bigger than a classic, but light enough to carry in your pocket every day. I also thought it would be easier for him to handle than the classic since it’s bigger.

Many of my friends at work have received Signature Lites from me over the years. Translucent, jewel-like colors such as 55195 Amethyst Purple and 55191 Ruby Red have long been appreciated and used daily by recipients. Most of the time, my friends have said that they would never have thought of buying a Swiss Army Knife and they can’t believe how many times they’ve had the urge to use one once they’ve got it.

In 2006, when the Wenger Clipper came out, I gave my best friend and my mother one in Plum Ice Purple 16962 and Watermelon Pink 16959. This Swiss Army Knife has a full size clipper. I have been thanked several times for this practical gift.

Every time someone graduates from middle school or high school, I buy them a full-size Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. Something memorable that is loaded with features. The Swiss Champ 53501, Ranger 53861, and Deluxe Tinker 53481 are my favorite models to give as gifts. They are packed with tools and always elicit a “Wow!” Response of a young man. Many times the Swiss Army knife that I give to a young person is the first and everyone remembers their first knife as the most special.

Swiss Army Knives are appropriate for all gift-giving occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, wedding and groomsmen gifts, housewarming, thank you, graduation, promotion, security award, anytime you want to give a gift that be useful and different. Interesting, high-quality gadgets make Swiss Army Knives the perfect gift choice. You also get the most bang for your buck, as keychain models start at around $15 with large knives in the $40-$60 range. Most can be engraved for a nominal fee.

I have two little boys, one 1 year old and one 5 year old. I look forward to the day your father and I pick out a Swiss Army Knife for each of them to use and cherish.