Help ID Wenger SAK

[Piso Mojado]

I gave up looking for this out of production Wenger in SAKWIKI. Back layer tools: awl and Phillips screwdriver.

 

[dfwcowboy]

Are all the tools/layers shown? Could you list all the tools it has? Looks like it may be a Wenger Ranger model 15.

 

[Piso Mojado]

Are all the tools/layers shown?

No, the back layer tools are not shown. I've only seen these photos, but it looks like everything else is showing.

Could you list all the tools it has?

Layer tools: 1) large locking clip point knife blade, which appears to be serrated; 2) large gutting blade, which appears to be plain edged; 3) can opener; 4) bottle opener/screwdriver/wire stripper.

Back layer tools: 1) reamer/awl; 2) Phillips screwdriver.

 

[Piso Mojado]

Looks like it may be a Wenger Ranger model 15.

I believe you are right: it may be a Wenger Ranger 15 Sabla. I found lots of photographs and some information on Czech and Russian web sites. Unfortunately nothing was an exact match, and not knowing enough to post a question in Czenglish, what follows is my best guess.

Wenger Ranger 15 Sabla is a discontinued 120mm model with three tool layers. The large clip point knife blade is partially serrated. The second large tool is either a wood saw or a plain edged gutting blade. The small layer tools are a can opener and a cap lifter/screwdriver with a wire stripping notch. Back layer tools are a reamer/awl and either a corkscrew or a Phillips screwdriver. The clip point knife blade locks and has a sliding release button on the bottom scale. The cap lifter/screwdriver pushes 1–2mm into the handle and locks when used as a screwdriver, and it extends and unlocks when pressure is released. Nice feature.

The Ranger 7 Sabla had four tool layers: all the tool combinations above plus scissors or slip-joint pliers.

Both models were sold with black and green scales, but I don't know whether both colors were available with all tool combinations.

I will post photographs if I succeed in buying one of these knives.

 

[Piso Mojado]

Found two English-language articles with photographs:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=586&Itemid=35

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=591&Itemid=35

 

[enkidu]

Well found. Those old Sabla's look really sweet. Of the previous generations of SAK knives, I've never been a fan of the medium and small Wengers, but the large ones have always seemed to me to be better than their Victorinox counterparts. Good luck in acquiring one of these rare beauties!

 

[Piso Mojado]

The knife in the fleabay photographs got away from me, but I bought another discontinued 120mm Wenger. It was their equivalent of the Trekker AKA Trailmaster. I don't own a Trekker, so I used a Nomad (my only liner-locking Victorinox) for comparison.

 

[Piso Mojado]

Here are the knife porn shots:



IMO both are worthy designs. The Wenger has a robust liner lock with a slider button release. Locked, the blade has maybe 1mm vertical play like a slider lock Victorinox. The Victorinox locks tighter but not as tight as a Spyderco. All are adequate for their intended purpose. The Victorinox looks more resistant to mud and sand, and it may be a better military or survival knife. The Wenger is my only liner lock which I am comfortable closing without looking — but I am clumsy, and I have thumb scars to prove it.