Differences between Victorinox and Wenger

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kidwholaughs

Joined
Jan 17, 2004
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The reason why I am trying to find another Wenger or Victorinox knife is that it always seems find its way into my pocket as opposed to the 1000 dolloars worth of "nice" knives I have under my bed ( an interesting phenomenon ) So I am trying to decide whether it's a Wenger or Vic this time. Are there any real differences between these knives except the emblem? My Wenger Civilian seems to be made from a different type of steel than the Vic. I can almost see a temper line on the Wenger. But the Vic seems hold a better finish.

Thanks for the advices
 
I like both, but I'm partial to Wenger only because it was the first knife my dad gave me when I was 5 years old. Anyways, you'll probably get a lot of people saying Victorinox is better, which may be but Wenger has a couple things Vic doesn't, but I can't remember them right now, I'm sick as a dog :barf: :(
 
Victorinox's Officer's models come in 84mm and 91mm sizes.
Wenger's are 85mm.

The can openers are different. Wenger's is a can opener. V-nox's is a combo can opener/screwdriver.

The blade shapes are slightly different.

Tweezer and toothpick are different.

The scissors are different.

Victorinox IS better. :D :p ;)

Those are the most obvious, there are other differences.

Paul
 
in my experience wengers don't have the same edge retention, and more importantly to me is their springs are much weaker and still don't last as long as vics. i've got some wengers and it's nice to mix things up since they're different handle thicknesses than vics but i wont buy any again.
 
My biggest fear about SAK(Vic or Wenger) is prying something and having the knife come apart and the scales coming off. Is that paranoia? In terms of over all performance and edge retention, which brand seems to be better?


Thanks
 
Follow the leader. You shouldn't be prying, get a prybar for prying. The scales won't fly off if you use the tool the way it's intended.
 
Blade shape is different and the scissors on the Wenger are serrated so you can cut slick stuff easily. I used my Wenger scissors to trim my fingernails for years - worked GREAT! You just can't do that with the Victorinox scissors, and that alone makes the Wenger a better knife (if you want one with scissors).
 
I probably use the screwdriver blades on my Vics more for prying than for turning screws. I have never had a problem. I like the longer Vics with locking blades. My daily carry is the Adventurer.

My old standard SAK was the Tinker model. I wore out several of those. The last Wenger I had had much the same blades only it had a lock, but the lock was not secure. As someone mentioned the back spring on the knife got weak. I only got it because it had a locking blade. Once I found the Adventurer with a locking 3.25-inch blade I was a solid Victorinox convert.
 
SDDLUP said:
You just can't do that with the Victorinox scissors
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Man I wonder what kind of finger nails you've got :). I just tried it and it worked just fine. I even trimmed my toe nails. Again with no problems at all.
 
IMO, Wenger has a better scissor design. The serrations are wickedly useful, and they use the backspring instead of the leaf springs the V'nox uses, which invariably seem to eventually screw up somehow and need replacing. I think the Wenger tweezers are better too.

Other than that, Victorinox is much better in pretty much any catagory. A Cybertool 29 sits in my pocket every day.

I should add that while the serrations on the Wenger scissors cut better, they might not be what you want. I didn't like using Wenger scissors to trim fingernails, because I didn't want serrated fingernail tips. :rolleyes:
 
I think everyone here will agree, Victorinox's build and finish quality is consistently better than Wenger's. As for blade quality, Victorinox SAKs are always nice and sharp out of the box, while the occasional Wenger needs a touch-up OOTB. Edge retension on either is nothing to write home about; they both use steel in the 440 class, so just get used to the idea that you'll need to sharpen yours, whichever brand you get.

Wenger *does* have some advantages, though:

  • On most models, both the flat and Phillips screwdrivers lock when pressure is applied; it's simple and effective.

  • As was already mentioned, the Wenger scissors beat the snot outta the Victorinox design.

  • I also prefer the Wenger can opener; to me, it cuts faster and takes less effort. You give up the small screwdriver on the Vic can opener, but in my experience, that driver is always overpolished and rounded-off to the point that it's nearly useless, anyway.

  • On the newer models, at least, their pliers are slip-joint, so they can be used on much larger work than Vic's.

Lastly, though, there is that backspring issue. I make a point to not fan all the blades on my Wengers, and have never had a problem; but the problem *is* real. They just aren't as strong as Victorinox springs. If you want solid walk & talk, you might find Wenger disappointing.
 
There was a post a few weeks ago you might be able to find. Someone had opened their Wenger blades halfway for a photo. The springs lost their 'spring' and the knife wouldn't snap closed after that. The experiment was repeated with different Wenger knives with the same results on some. So it is a real problem, but probably not a serious issue if you open the blades one at a time.

Wenger has some different design features, for instance the scissors, that are superior, or at least prefered by some. But overall I'd say Victorinox is better quality. That being said, my only SAK is a Wenger BuckSwiss and I like it just fine.

Personally, I think you should buy the model with the blades, tools, and features you want, whether Wenger or Victorinox. Each brand matches and combines their toys a little differently.

Happy Shopping,
Bob
 
Pulling out my Wenger, I swear I can make out a temper line running parallel to the edge. My Vic does not have this. I think must be a difference in how Vic's and Wengers are heat treated. Does anyone else see this? Which one holds an edge better? Vic or Wenger?


Thanks
 
I would say that the edge of Vic knifes are better. I ordered a Wenger Ranger (the big one), which I really like, and tried to peel an apple but it did not worked, because the edge was not sharp enough. Then I tried it with my Vic Trailmaster and it worked. So with the Vic it was no problem to peel the apple, while the Wenger Ranger could not do that, and the Vic Trailmaster I used for this was not new. :rolleyes:
 
I don't want to go too far off topic, but I thought this might be a good place to remark upon a new SAK I just bought -- a Victorinox "Huntsman II," which appears to be a regular Huntsman (main blade, nail file, can opener w/small screwdrive, large screwdriver with wire stripper, corkscrew, and reamer/awl, plus toothpick and tweezers) BUT it has textured scales. Instead of being shiny and smooth with an imbedded cross and shield, the scales are matter with a feeling like fine sandpaper and a cross and shield etched into the scale and painted with silver paint.

I purchased this knife because I stumbled across it for $9.99 at a Walgreen's pharmacy in my neighborhood (Austin, Texas), and I was stunned. Except for the textured grip -- which I sort of prefer to my regular smooth-scaled Bantam -- it seems like any other Huntsman, which sells for a least a few bucks more online. This SAK is now in my EDC rotation, replacing my Vic Bantam.

Why am I posting here, you ask yourself imatiently?

Some cursory research on the Web shows that these textured Vics are (as per Victorinox) identical to their smooth-scale counterparts, but are marketed for a lower price point because the textured scales are cheaper to produce. Is this an attempt to compete with Wenger products, which, at least in my area, seem consistently to be cheaper than comparable Vic products?
 
That is a really good point. I personally believe in function over form. Most people can't tell the difference between Wenger and Vic. I would really like to see some comparisons between Wenger and Vic that would settle the question on which knife is a better over all performer.
 
kidwholaughs said:
I would really like to see some comparisons between Wenger and Vic that would settle the question on which knife is a better over all performer.
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It's the "over all" part that'll hang you up. Everyone's needs are different. That's why both manufacturers make so many different models with different combinations of tools. If it was that easy to come up with the one-size-fits-all-best knife, there'd only be one manufacturer making one knife! ;)
 
The biggest reason for me liking Victorinox is their backsprings. Wenger backsprings have broken for me without abuse, they've broken for Vincent (Unknown VT) and I've NEVER had a Victorinox wear out/break in the backsprings.
 
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