Is there a difference between the vics and wengers

J

Jess82

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
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Hey everyone I know this is probably a stupid question but I am wondering is there really a difference between the vics and wengers. I have a fairly descent collection of vics and am quite partial to them but have never owned a wenger.
 
I think Victorinox has better blade and tool designs. I believe they have been making knives a little longer. I am sure Wenger makes quality products too, but I"ll always be a Victorinox junkie. They have saved my butt many times and never let me down.
 
I prefer vics. I had a wenger tool chest and a whole bunch of vics and the springs werent as good as those on victorinox. I dont like the can opreners on wenger either. Victorinox is the way to go.
 
Well before Vic bought Wenger there was a noticeable difference in quality and backspring strength, now there is little difference.
 
My new Wenger (see some other thread) also has better backsprings than older ones. The scissors and the can opener are major differences - and subject to personal preferences therefore. I like the Wenger version of both but have more Vics in my (growing) collection. OTOH I prefer the Vic toothpick and tweezers. Also, seems Wenger has more blade varieties (perhaps - I'm prepared to be wrong). YMMV.
 
"Jess82"
Cosmetic difference?
One major difference is main blade shape.
Wenger's are classic spearpoint; whilst Vicky's are not symetrical and are also grounded off centered on it's flat sides (if you care to view it "bird's eye view") to fit in with adjacen toolblade like perfect Swiss-clockwork in close position.
BTW, the standard Wenger's SAKs are slightly shorter than a Vicky...
 
GIRLYmann said:
"Jess82"
Cosmetic difference?
One major difference is main blade shape.
Wenger's are classic spearpoint; whilst Vicky's are not symetrical and are also grounded off centered on it's flat sides (if you care to view it "bird's eye view") to fit in with adjacen toolblade like perfect Swiss-clockwork in close position.
BTW, the standard Wenger's SAKs are slightly shorter than a Vicky...
Click to expand...

Wengers are ground off center as well to fit the small tool slot.
 
i have had both over the years -but havent had a new wenger since about 1998-(my first lock back "the everest"-a ranger with pliers, saw and other stuff)

my experience is based on those wengers from the late 60's!, early seventies and eighties- i find i strongly prefer vics-i cant really tell you why, except the inlaid shield to me is reflective of better attention to detail and overall quality-among other factors

the biggest point for me i find vics easier to sharpen,
my wengers are really hard for me to get the same edge- i think wenger steel is harder and more brittle-it may be better in fact-but i prefer vic

and vics seem more useful/suited to my needs -clever tool design, slightly better quality-always useful

one thing that has always irked my about wengers is that many have only a single blade, and devote a 'blade' (space if you will) to a nail file and finger nail cleaner, instead of a smaller blade

-just me and my baggage-

albeit years and years ago-(and to be fair, probably due to childish abuse/use, i have only had wengers lose scales and have knife tips break)-have always disliked the ends of wenger tweezers too-the bent metal lip instead of the flush countered piece like a vic

otoh-wengers seem to be the more innovative-but not always as carefuly engineered-example a wenger magnifier (w smaller screw driver) versus vic-the wenger compass on the thick plastic arm, wenger pliers-slip joint is cool-vics are easier to use for me-slightly fatter and a solid hinge point-and a vast array of can openers of varying effectiveness

you know for the price of two, you can have both and decide-youll enjoy both i promise because they are in fact very very close
 
I also prefer the design of the Wenger scissors, sort of a pivot thing instead of a delicate spring, and the blades are actually serrated.
 
As others have said, both are good but Victorinox is my favorite. Not sure about the springs, But I've bought a few wengers in the last couple years that still had weaker springs, not necessarily bad but I like the snap on Vics. The main thing I like about Victorinox is the design of the tools, very functional and useful.
 
As a relatively recent SAK convert, I've bought a few in the last couple months. While most of them have been Vics, I have bought 3 Wengers: an EvoGrip 18, which is similar to Vic's Huntsman and Fieldmaster, a PTC, which is a longer Mini-Champ, and a Stand Issue, Wenger's version of the Soldier. Vics do seem to snap better than the Wengers, plus there are variations on the tools. For instance, Vic's scissors can be used at any angle because of the spring, while Wenger's have to be fully extended. Wenger awls aren't sharpened (that I've seen) like Vic ones are. Wengers are also a little shorter, averaging 85mm. Sure, Vics come in the 84mm flavor, but I usually think of the 91s when I think of a SAK. They are both extraordinary knives, and it just comes down to personal preference. My SI and Farmer are currently dueling for my affections. I think the SI might be winning.

Wall of text over.
 
The only Wenger I have is a Cyclist model that I actually found in a park. Not bad for something I picked up off the ground, but I definitely prefer my Vics. The Wenger is actually just sitting in the draw since I read on SOSAK that they're rare and prized by collectors.
 
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