Quick verdict: Choose Huntsman if you will use the corkscrew. Choose Fieldmaster if the Phillips screwdriver is the more useful back tool. Both maker listings include scissors, a wood saw and 15 functions, so a bigger advertised tool count does not decide this comparison.
Research-based buying guide. No hands-on testing is claimed. As an Amazon Associate, Time to Get Outside earns from qualifying purchases.
| Decision | Victorinox Huntsman | Victorinox Fieldmaster |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised functions | 15 | 15 |
| Shared useful tools | Scissors and wood saw | Scissors and wood saw |
| Main choice here | Corkscrew | Phillips screwdriver 1/2 |
| Best buying trigger | Picnic routine uses a corkscrew | Small jobs use the Phillips tool |
The back tool is the real buying question
These two models make more sense when you look at your own small recurring jobs. A corkscrew is worthwhile if it is the tool you otherwise forget on a picnic. A Phillips driver is worthwhile if it fits the fasteners you actually encounter.
Neither is automatically the outdoor enthusiast’s correct choice. Make a list of the last few times you reached for a small tool while camping or travelling. If one of these functions appears repeatedly, that history is a better guide than buying whichever name sounds more rugged.
Do not let the shared tool count hide the similarity
Victorinox lists 15 functions for each compared model and includes scissors and a wood saw in both. The Huntsman list includes a corkscrew; the Fieldmaster list includes a Phillips screwdriver 1/2. That is a more useful distinction than treating the function count as a performance score.
Scissors can be handy for packaging or a modest repair kit, while a small saw may be useful for appropriate light work. But a tool you never open adds little practical value. If your outdoor tasks are limited to one or two functions, a simpler existing tool may already be enough.
A pocket tool does not replace every full-size tool
A folding multitool is convenient because several functions travel together. That convenience comes with compromises in grip, reach and leverage compared with a dedicated screwdriver or scissors. If one repair is central to the trip, check whether the pocket tool really fits that job.
For example, a driver can be the correct general type yet still be awkward to reach into a recessed fastener. Do not buy the Fieldmaster on the assumption that one Phillips tool replaces every bit in a proper repair kit. Equally, do not buy a corkscrew just because it is an iconic feature if your picnic supplies do not need it.
Think about the kit you already carry
If your camping bag already has a corkscrew, the Fieldmaster’s difference may be the useful addition. If you already carry a suitable screwdriver, Huntsman may fill the gap. The best value often comes from avoiding duplicate functions across several little tools.
Compare the exact version and included accessories when you shop. Decorative scales, a retailer pouch or a gift bundle can alter the price without changing the function you wanted. Keep the comparison focused on the working tool and how comfortably it fits the pocket or pouch where you will actually keep it.
Who should buy—and who should skip?
Choose Victorinox Huntsman: A corkscrew belongs in your picnic routine and you also use the shared scissors and saw.
Choose Victorinox Fieldmaster: The Phillips tool is the more likely missing item in your camping or day-out kit.
Skip the purchase: You already own one of these and rarely need the other’s main difference. Buying a separate suitable tool can be more sensible than a second near-identical multitool.
Final buying recommendation
For a new purchase, pick the back tool that solves your real recurring task. I would choose Fieldmaster for a kit that benefits from the Phillips driver, and Huntsman for a picnic kit that needs the corkscrew. There is little reason to replace one with the other merely to change the name on the box.
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Related outdoor buying guides
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- Leatherman Skeletool vs Wave Plus: Are the Extra Tools Worth Carrying?
Sources and research notes
Product details checked October 16, 2026. Specifications and limits below come from the manufacturers; buying recommendations are editorial judgments, not independent performance measurements.
