Impala vs Wegner

[u812]

Just wondering why the Impala has not gotten the respect it deserves.
I am sitting hear looking at it side by side to a Wegner PE and IMO everything about it edges out the Wegner.
It has a excentric pivot,the Wegner does not.
VG10 steel,may be slightly better than Ats 34
It has finger groves near the tip for extra controll,the Wegner doesn't.
IMO the Impala has a better edge profile.
The impala fits the hand a little better than the Wegner.
Clip set up is just as good on both but the Impalas clip is nested into the scale at the top and the bottom sets into a milled out spot.I wish the next upgrade to the Military included this clip set up.
Well you can look at the post and say that nothing is a whole lot better than the Wegner but everything is slightly better,so if everything is slightly better or even if it was the same,WHY has it not got the following of the Wegner?

 

[Takujualuk]

Does the Impala have the heavy duty stainless spacer?
Does it go ker-chunk when it opens like a Wegner does...a sensory delight?

However the Impala does look good and I am having to decide between it a second Spyderco Wegner(I'll never tell from where) and the Blade Tech Wegner for my next expensive purchase.

Like to hear more about the non-gut hook Impala. I thought the model was discontinued and I am glad it's still here.

 

[u812]

SFO has them on sell for 74.95.
I like the liner lock in the Impala much more than the one in the Wegner,it is not as prone to wear and when wear does occur it can be ajusted out.

 

[Takujualuk]

My guess about why the Wegner and (it appears) the Impala didn't sell that well is that a lot of folks don't like a folder for a hunting knife and the looks aren't sexy enough to appeal to the tactical/survival crowd. To get the same quality as a good fixed blade the cost is much higher and they are trouble to clean.

I have used a folder for a lot of years now with a lot of success but must admit none of my hunting partners ever have. I started in 1983 with a Victorinox hunting design with fake stag handles a clipblade, gutting blade and meat saw. I have probably used this baby on 2 dozen caribou with great success. It still goes with me on every hunt and is good for small game too. I will admit the knife can get pretty smelly if I don't carefully clean it.

I added a Schrade outback drop-point hunter in the early 90's It has a bit better blade shape and the 440A kept an edge about as well as the Victorinox. I use a steel to sharpen after each caribou and can get through a bunch before needing to use the ceramic rods and re-shape the edge.

The Wegner is my latest and greatest. The ATS 34 is a much better edge holder and the ergonomics is outstanding. This knife is damn near perfect to me. Hard to improve on but I will check out the non-gut hook Impala. The S30V and flat grind of the Blade-Tech Wegner is catching me eye as well.

IMO these knives are all outstanding and a good value. I wish they would sell like hot cakes to keep them on the market long enough for me to afford one of each.

The Wegner does have a special charisma to me. Freinds who don't like the look of it become converts after handling it. I think these knives need to be touched and handled to be understood and appreciated and that is a hard marketing project.

Too bad.

 

[shootist16]

I had an Impala. I'll admit it is a nice knife but it didn't fit me as well as the Wegner does. The Wegner felt like it was designed with my hand in mind. Obviously this varies from person to person.

Both were excellent knives. The only reason I can see for them not selling well is they are hunters. I think that may have turned many away. Although, IMO, both knives excelled at many tasks and make for excellent EDCs.

 

[Takujualuk]

Shootist. Have you seen or tried the Blade-Tech version of the Wegner? How does it compare to the Spyderco

 

[shootist16]

Shootist. Have you seen or tried the Blade-Tech version of the Wegner? How does it compare to the Spyderco

I've got three of them.

Think of a Wegner constructed like the Spyderco Military (The Blade Tech has dual nested liners instead of the single liner of the military though. It also uses S30V steel. Blade Techs version rocks.

 

[Takujualuk]

ShOotist..would you say the Blade-Tech is as strong as the Spyderco? I like that Spydie thick stainless liner even though it is moved over to one side. I am going to buy one more Wegner and I have a line on a Spydie with combo edge or of course I could get the Blade Tech. I like the Impala but here in Canada I can't find it for less than 200.00 and I can get either version of the Blade Tech for less.