A question about swiss army knives

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Rafthos

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Mar 11, 2010
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I'm not trying to start trouble. Which is the "best" SAK, Victorinox or Wenger. I own one of each and I can't see any real advantage to either brand's quality. I am just curious as I was raised believing that Victorinox was the superior SAK.
 
If you own both, you'll have to decide that for yourself. If you don't see an advantage in quality, then it comes down to the features that you prefer.
 
Rafthos said:
I'm not trying to start trouble. Which is the "best" SAK, Victorinox or Wenger. I own one of each and I can't see any real advantage to either brand's quality. I am just curious as I was raised believing that Victorinox was the superior SAK.
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I don't own a Wenger so I can't comment on them. Ive seen them in stores through the plastic package and they didn't do anything for me. So its been strictly Vic's for me with no complaints. But I'm thinking of eventually getting a Weger.:)
 
When one asks this question "whats the best....?", the answer is usually found in the users intended use of the product. You said yourself you didnt see any diference in quality so it boils down to which one fits your need best. In this case either one might equally benefit you. Its up to you to determine which is BEST for YOU.
 
To me Vics and Wengers are equal when comparing two of the same size. One problem I think people have is that Wenger doesn't have any 91mm or Alox models (other than the SI) so people end up comparing something like a 91mm Vic Climber to a 85mm Evo Grip and that's not really a fair comparison.

If you take a Vic Soldier and a Wenger SI they're pretty much the same. Vic Classic/Wenger Executive? Pretty close. Vic Trekker/Wenger Ranger? Same again. Keep in mind that Victorinox ownes Wenger so i don't think they could ever get very far apart quality wise.

On thing I'll say though is that Vic has a better can operner and Wenger has better scissors, IMO.
 
I did not know Victorinox owned Wenger. I also wasn't sure if one had a superior blade steel to another. I rarely carry either as my Leatherman Squirts are usually sufficient. Just trying to learn more about all knives. Thanks for the responses.
 
Victorinox is superior to Wenger, IMO. The Victorinox quality is a bit better then Wenger and the springs on Wenger seem to weaken quite easily in my experiences.
 
I haven't handled a Wenger in some time but years ago when I compared them side-by-side the construction of the Wenger seemed "cheesier". I don't know if they've improved since Victorinox bought Wenger.
 
I prefer Vic , better fit/finish . I prefer their more conservative and time tested designs .

Chris
 
I mainly use SAKs made by Victorinox, since I prefer their can opener. Other than that, I don't think there are very big differences in quality. But Wenger has a range of knives with advanced handles for extra grip and even a range of their traditional knives have a locking blade.
 
I've modded both and feel that the Victorinox has higher quality and heavier parts in general that the average Wenger although both brands Alox soldiers are very similiar in quality due to the specifications they followed when building the knives.
 
I've got 8 Vics (one's a pruner and one's a SwissTool, so don't really count) and two Wengers. For some reason the Victorinox SAKs have always seemed Swiss Army Knife-ier to me. I think it's psychological because there's nothing about the Wengers that seems inferior to me and one of them (an Esquire) I've had longer than most of my other knives. Other than not having the same kind of snap to the blade opening it probably had when it was new, it's still a perfectly good little knife.
 
Decades ago, all I knew at the time was that there were two quality SAKs on the market. My first was a Wenger, solely because that was the make carried by the store I patronized. At the time, I had never handled a Victorinox version, but thought the Wenger was well made. Years later, after the Wenger broke (my fault), I replaced it with a Victorinox, and it soon became obvious that it was the better product, although not by order of magnitude. If having never encountered Vic, I would have been well satisfied with Wenger. I think that if one or the other has features you prefer, that would be the one to choose and the quality would okay.
 
I've owned both, but these days I only go with Victorinox.
It seems to me that the blades are sharper on the Vics than the Wengers, and I hate the tiny serrations the Wenger scissors create.
I also find the Vic reamer/awl to be more useful than the Wenger awl.
 
Buy a Wenger because...
Some models hav locking blade and screwdriver.
The are a bit more pocket friendly (smaller)
Much sturdier scissors.
It´s got a nail file

Buy a Victorinox because...
They are a bit bigger.
They got stronger springs.
The awl is MUCH better.
It´s got two blades
The toothpick is better.
It´s got a parcel hook!

I think the quality, fit and finish of a Wenger SAK has improved the last years. And I really like a locking blade. But why don´t they sharpen the awl??? I´ve got 20 Vics and two Wengers!
 
I prefer Vic as well, have a cadet, swisschamp, super tinker, and Swisstool, I've handled the Wegners in stores before, but they just don't seem quite up to par IMO.
 
I like the vics meself. I like the can opener better. And all the alox models. I've found no other functional differences however. And for all of us who have a habit of closing them on our fingers. The locking wengers are really sturdy.
 
for many many years i have had both brands, several in various styles

to me Vic is superior-more features-easier to sharpen -just a great quality and finish

wenger seems to be more innovative-but i have never liked the details, like tweezers scissors, or quality of steel, and have had more issues with loose scales than ever with Vic

buyone of each and compare-there ar e some very devoted wenger users
 
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