I had recently got a used Wenger Journeyman and refurbished it -
If you have access to SOSAK - this is the link -
Refurbishing SAKs
Wenger Journeyman (16902) - shown next to the equivalent Victorinox Mechanic (US model #53441, Swiss/international #1.4623)
I don't actually have a Mechanic -
but in terms of a minimalist Pliers SAK - I have this model at only two backsprings wide -
The main point of interest for me is to compare the pliers -
The Wenger is more versatile being "slip-joint" pliers - allowing the jaws adjustment to open up more to accomdate larger items. The Victorinox is a simple straight forward small pair of pliers. The one shown is an older version - the current version has a crimper built in the handles near the jaws (as can be seen in the photo of the Mechanic). The Wenger Pliers also use an actuator arm to utilize the backspring foir its spring return - whereas the Victorinox still relies on the leaf spring - also similar to their standard scissors - although it should be noted that the leaf spring used on the pliers is substantially wider than on the scissors.
The Victorinox pliers have a built-in wire cutter at the base of the jaws next to the joint - whereas because of the slip-joint design the Wenger wire cutters work only in the smaller capacity setting.
There is also the small hole that lines up on on the two halves on its smaller setting on the Wenger pliers which I think may allow crimping of smaller gauged stuff(?)
Unlike their scissors the Wenger pliers manage to be pretty thick and substantial - about the same as the Victorinox - although the Victorinox somehow manages to feel more substantial to me (this could just be my bias).
Again like their scissors, Wengers pliers in use move relative to the handles - which doesn't seem as critical as in the scissors - although it is still disconcerting for me.
see also:
SAK Scissors - Wenger or Victorinox?
However if one looks at the jaws more carefully in both detail photos of the Pliers - one can see the difference in the joints - the Wenger has to be thin and open due to its slip-joint design - whereas the Victorinox uses a much stronger closed joint design (I don't know the proper name for this kind of joint - I'd be grateful if someone could please help with the correct terminology?).
For me the Wenger's more versatile "slip-joint" is also its own downfall - making the pliers unecessarily complicated and not always reliable - since the joint could "slip" accidentally to the other setting which might not be what was required - also the joint itself seem to be less strong than that of the Victorinox.
I prefer the Victorinox simpler design as it basically limits the plier to being what it is - a small lighter duty pair of pliers, without any pretensions of being heavy-duty - although I would find it hard to believe that one could damage the Vic Pliers with hand pressure alone.... but hey, you guys might well be stronger than I
So again I openly admit my bias -
but, I think, for good reason.
--
Vincent
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
If you have access to SOSAK - this is the link -
Refurbishing SAKs
Wenger Journeyman (16902) - shown next to the equivalent Victorinox Mechanic (US model #53441, Swiss/international #1.4623)
I don't actually have a Mechanic -
but in terms of a minimalist Pliers SAK - I have this model at only two backsprings wide -
The main point of interest for me is to compare the pliers -
The Wenger is more versatile being "slip-joint" pliers - allowing the jaws adjustment to open up more to accomdate larger items. The Victorinox is a simple straight forward small pair of pliers. The one shown is an older version - the current version has a crimper built in the handles near the jaws (as can be seen in the photo of the Mechanic). The Wenger Pliers also use an actuator arm to utilize the backspring foir its spring return - whereas the Victorinox still relies on the leaf spring - also similar to their standard scissors - although it should be noted that the leaf spring used on the pliers is substantially wider than on the scissors.
The Victorinox pliers have a built-in wire cutter at the base of the jaws next to the joint - whereas because of the slip-joint design the Wenger wire cutters work only in the smaller capacity setting.
There is also the small hole that lines up on on the two halves on its smaller setting on the Wenger pliers which I think may allow crimping of smaller gauged stuff(?)
Unlike their scissors the Wenger pliers manage to be pretty thick and substantial - about the same as the Victorinox - although the Victorinox somehow manages to feel more substantial to me (this could just be my bias).
Again like their scissors, Wengers pliers in use move relative to the handles - which doesn't seem as critical as in the scissors - although it is still disconcerting for me.
see also:
SAK Scissors - Wenger or Victorinox?
However if one looks at the jaws more carefully in both detail photos of the Pliers - one can see the difference in the joints - the Wenger has to be thin and open due to its slip-joint design - whereas the Victorinox uses a much stronger closed joint design (I don't know the proper name for this kind of joint - I'd be grateful if someone could please help with the correct terminology?).
For me the Wenger's more versatile "slip-joint" is also its own downfall - making the pliers unecessarily complicated and not always reliable - since the joint could "slip" accidentally to the other setting which might not be what was required - also the joint itself seem to be less strong than that of the Victorinox.
I prefer the Victorinox simpler design as it basically limits the plier to being what it is - a small lighter duty pair of pliers, without any pretensions of being heavy-duty - although I would find it hard to believe that one could damage the Vic Pliers with hand pressure alone.... but hey, you guys might well be stronger than I
So again I openly admit my bias -
but, I think, for good reason.
--
Vincent
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
