Swiss Army Knives: Evolution Grip Better?

T

The Mighty Ginsu

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Aug 11, 2016
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I am going to Switzerland. Like most people on this forum, I like to have a pocket knife with me wherever I go. I think it might be smart to buy a new Swiss Army knife, since web sources say they are generally legal to carry.

I am not the biggest fan of Swiss Army knives. Americans make much better stuff now. But a Swiss Army knife is very handy for little jobs, and it would be a nice souvenir. My understanding is that if you get one in their flagship store, you can have it engraved.

I notice they are making a new type of handle they call the Evolution. The old handles were cheap and held on with glue, and they were slick. Are the Evolution knives significantly better?

I'm not interested in the weird Inspector Gadget jobs that have 45 tools on them, but it would be nice to have a locking blade, awl, can opener, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, and flat screwdriver. The S18 looks okay.

www.swissknifeshop.com

Victorinox Evolution Grip S18 Lockblade Swiss Army Knife at Swiss Knife Shop

EvoGrip S18 Lockblade Swiss Army Knife by Victorinox at Swiss Knife Shop, authorized retailer of Victorinox Swiss Army. Add custom engraving. Shop the full line of Victorinox Swiss Army knives here.
www.swissknifeshop.com www.swissknifeshop.com
 
The Mighty Ginsu said:
I am going to Switzerland. Like most people on this forum, I like to have a pocket knife with me wherever I go. I think it might be smart to buy a new Swiss Army knife, since web sources say they are generally legal to carry.

I am not the biggest fan of Swiss Army knives. Americans make much better stuff now. But a Swiss Army knife is very handy for little jobs, and it would be a nice souvenir. My understanding is that if you get one in their flagship store, you can have it engraved.

I notice they are making a new type of handle they call the Evolution. The old handles were cheap and held on with glue, and they were slick. Are the Evolution knives significantly better?

I'm not interested in the weird Inspector Gadget jobs that have 45 tools on them, but it would be nice to have a locking blade, awl, can opener, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, and flat screwdriver. The S18 looks okay.

www.swissknifeshop.com

Victorinox Evolution Grip S18 Lockblade Swiss Army Knife at Swiss Knife Shop

EvoGrip S18 Lockblade Swiss Army Knife by Victorinox at Swiss Knife Shop, authorized retailer of Victorinox Swiss Army. Add custom engraving. Shop the full line of Victorinox Swiss Army knives here.
www.swissknifeshop.com www.swissknifeshop.com
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It's actually an old handle type. The Wenger Evo(lution) is where the design of the Victorinox EvoGrips originated. Vic bought Wenger (their one-time rival) back in 2005, and not long after, started releasing knives that had been Wenger designs. Pretty cool. Also, the current scales for both the Victorinox SAKs, and the Evos are press-fit. They aren't glued on, though some aftermarket scale replacement sets require you to do so.

It should be noted that while I love my American made knives, there really isn't anything comparable to a Victorinox Swiss Army knife made by any American company today. Plenty have tried, but none are as good as the original. Enjoy your trip, I'm jealous, because I'd love to get to a European Victorinox store. I've seen pictures, and it's amazing. All that said, like D Danke42 suggests, I'd try to find something that wasn't ever released here. They have done a LOT of knives for groups/clubs in Europe, maybe the store you go to might have something like that kicking around. Safe travels!
 
The Mighty Ginsu said:
So are the handles better?
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I own something like seventy or eighty SAKs of various models and have never broken the scales on them. If that's a concern for you, I would recommend one of their ALOX models. You might like the ALOX 7, as an example. Or, if this is going to be a smaller lighter use knife just to have, then I'd recommend an ALOX Cadet.

ETA: Actually, for what you want, the Evo S18 is probably your best bet.
 
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The cellidor models (classic red handle smooth plastic) are pressed on and don’t just fall off, but they can break if dropped on a hard surface or abused, it’s never been an issue for me, they are plenty tough for a Swiss Army knife, the evolution grip models use the same material and attachment method as the standard, they are just contoured and shaped differently.

If durability is your concern than pick up a model in Alox, such as a pioneer, you won’t be able to break those, they don’t have locking blades however, but the springs are stronger and the tools are held open well, you won’t accidentally close one unless doing something you aren’t supposed to do.

Most of the locking knives are the bigger models, not number of tools but overall length, they typically use nylon scales that are very durable and the tools are heavy duty.

You can’t go wrong with a victorinox of any variety, they are very high quality. Not to be confused with cheap import brands you might have had in the past. Genuine Victorinox is top of the line stuff.
 
Quiet said:
I own something like seventy or eighty SAKs of various models and have never broken the scales on them. If that's a concern for you, I would recommend one of their ALOX models. You might like the ALOX 7, as an example. Or, if this is going to be a smaller lighter use knife just to have, then I'd recommend an ALOX Cadet.

ETA: Actually, for what you want, the Evo S18 is probably your best bet.
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Wow Quiet. That's quite a collection. Would love to see a pic here or if OP wishes, elsewhere. I am going to post a couple pics of the ALOX covered models if it might interest the OP.

I also would love to be able to access some European model SAKs!

WpFmCbJ.jpg


RDj8RkJ.jpg
 
cutchu said:
Wow Quiet. That's quite a collection. Would love to see a pic here or if OP wishes, elsewhere. I am going to post a couple pics of the ALOX covered models if it might interest the OP.

I also would love to be able to access some European model SAKs!

WpFmCbJ.jpg


RDj8RkJ.jpg
Click to expand...

I will have to put together a family photo eventually, but really, it'll be more like family photos, because honestly, unlike most modern folding knives that you can lay on their side and take a shot from above, it's going to be difficult to take a pic of all my, say, SwissChamps. I'll give it a shot somepoint soon.
 
The Mighty Ginsu said:
It definitely fell off. I am not on a mission to spread disinformation about Victorinox.
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I believe you, you said it was glued on, victorinox doesn’t do that from the factory, so if yours had glue underneath then the scales had already been off and someone glued them back, they only snap on once when they are made, but if someone takes the scales off, then glue is the only option besides buying new ones. I had had a couple that I had reused after removing the scales but they were never as tight as when new unless glued.
 
BJE said:
I believe you, you said it was glued on, victorinox doesn’t do that from the factory, so if yours had glue underneath then the scales had already been off and someone glued them back, they only snap on once when they are made, but if someone takes the scales off, then glue is the only option besides buying new ones. I had had a couple that I had reused after removing the scales but they were never as tight as when new unless glued.
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I had this exact thing happen, I popped the scales off one for some odd reason that I cannot remember why, and couldn't get them back on tight. Ended up supergluing the cellidor handle back on. I expect it to fall off at any time. I learned to leave the cellidor handles alone 🤣
 
Alox. And I'd like to see more models in alox
Now that the cellidor scales are no longer solid, I see lots of reports of them breaking or cracking from single falls.
 
The Mighty Ginsu said:
significantly better?
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IDK if they're better , but I have a few of the largest SAK models , the RangerGrip .

Similar to the smaller Evo models , I believe .

They have rubbery inserts that do provide a good grip , IMO .

The blade locks and have opening holes , for one hand opening (but it's not very easy for me , at least ) .

Big knives, with usefully large tools , like a 4" wood saw .


Can't speak to durability, under hard use, of these handles . Yet .
 
ShaiHulud said:
Alox. And I'd like to see more models in alox
Now that the cellidor scales are no longer solid, I see lots of reports of them breaking or cracking from single falls.
Click to expand...

I've carried a Farmer since 07 untill about last year, when after nearly having it confiscated at a hocky game I decided to retire it. I went to a Hiker and cant see going back to Alox, once you get over the alox's Mojo factor the superiour tool set of the celidor handled models (for less money too) just makes them a better multi-tool. As for the toughness, I've beat the hell out of that Hiker (just got back from a 6 week road/ camping trip where it was in constant use) and see nothing to sway my confidence. Name a task you think would destroy a regular 91mm SAK that you would confidently perform with an Alox model... I personally cant think of one.
 
The Mighty Ginsu said:
'm not interested in the weird Inspector Gadget jobs that have 45 tools on them, but it would be nice to have a locking blade, awl, can opener, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, and flat screwdriver. The S18 looks okay.
Click to expand...
I have an Evo Grip S18. I personally prefer the non locking EG 17 for two features:
1) the lock release on the S18 partially blocks the nail nick for the scissors.
2) I prefer the multi purpose corkscrew over the #2 phillips screwdriver on the S18.

To be honest, I prefer the Huntsman over both the S18 and EG 17.
Reason: The Huntsman has a pen blade. I have little to no use for the fingernail file on the other two
The Mighty Ginsu said:
So are the handles better?
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Either handle feels good in hand, and provide a good grip.
 
I don't like them, I don't like the way they look nor do I like the shape.
If I wasn't going with Alox and wanted something better than cellidor I'd go with the economy line with the textured nylon scales.
I really don't get why the superior more durable textured nylon scales are considered the economy line.
Maybe it's because the only color options are red or black ( I think there was black ) and because they aren't shiny ?
people go crazy for flashy shiny things, and I guess not being shiny makes the nylon scales seem cheaper ?
 
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