Hello all!
Before wenger's supplies dried up for good I snatched up the last model that really caught my eye in their line and thats the Apprentice. I carry a Tinker Small every single day and so I wanted to check out Wenger's version of basically the same knife. I have taken several photos comparing the two in size and features as well as against other models. Feel free to ask any questions you wish!
P.S. - Sorry for the bad image quality, I was taking these photos with a glorified phone. The Mrs has the good camera and shes off visiting family.
The two side by side:
Overall they are very similar sizes, the only real difference is the shape. As you can see by the photo the Wenger is a little rounder. I actually really like the shape of the wenger, its well balanced.
Feature Comparison:
Not shown: Toothpick and tweezers on both.
Thickness comparison:
They are pretty much the exact same thickness
Blade profile:
The Wenger has a lot of belly to offer while the Victorinox maintains a more traditional pen knife blade profile. To be honest, when using them I cant really notice a difference.
Second blade slot:
Top: Tinker Small
Bottom: Apprentice
You can see that the Tinker has a second blade while the Apprentice has a nail file/nail cleaner.
Size comparison against other models:
From Left to Right: Victorinox Compact, Victorinox Hiker, Victorinox Tinker Small, Victorinox Manager, Wenger Apprentice, Wenger Serrated Backpacker, Wenger Ranger 51.
Thickness against other models:
From Left to Right: Victorinox Compact, Wenger Serrated Backpacker, Wenger Apprentice, Victorinox Hiker
Difference in Pre and Post buyout:
This image shows the Serrated Backpacker (left) vs Apprentice (right), the backpacker is an older model dating back to around 2004. As you can see there is a difference in the quality of the logo. The older logo looks and feels like a sticker. It is slightly raised above the scales, where the newer logo looks painted directly on the scales. I can also feel a slight difference between the strength of the springs, however this could be due to the backpackers ten years of use while the apprentice is brand new. Aside from that the fit and finish feel very similar.
Overall I must say I am impressed with the Wenger apprentice. The fit and finish are great, the blade geometry is a little bit different but I doubt any less useful, the tool selection is good, and the springs feel good and tight. Also I like the tweezers and toothpick location way more on the Wenger's than the Victorinox. They are tucked inside of the scales rather than on the outside, this makes it way harder to accidentally pull out while handling. I also like the keyring hole on the Wenger better than the Victorinox. Its much beefier and rounded so it doesnt get stuck on stuff like the Victorinox. However I am not too thrilled about losing the smaller blade and phillips head. The small blade was nice to use on smaller tasks and on chores that I didn't want to sacrifice my main blade for.
Cliff-notes: Is one better than the other? Honestly, no. They are just different.
Will the Apprentice replace your tried and true tinker small?: Probably not, however I could see them trading off on EDC days.
Companions:
Wenger Apprentice with my early 1950's boy scout hatchet.
Before wenger's supplies dried up for good I snatched up the last model that really caught my eye in their line and thats the Apprentice. I carry a Tinker Small every single day and so I wanted to check out Wenger's version of basically the same knife. I have taken several photos comparing the two in size and features as well as against other models. Feel free to ask any questions you wish!
P.S. - Sorry for the bad image quality, I was taking these photos with a glorified phone. The Mrs has the good camera and shes off visiting family.
The two side by side:
Overall they are very similar sizes, the only real difference is the shape. As you can see by the photo the Wenger is a little rounder. I actually really like the shape of the wenger, its well balanced.
Feature Comparison:
Not shown: Toothpick and tweezers on both.
Thickness comparison:
They are pretty much the exact same thickness
Blade profile:
The Wenger has a lot of belly to offer while the Victorinox maintains a more traditional pen knife blade profile. To be honest, when using them I cant really notice a difference.
Second blade slot:
Top: Tinker Small
Bottom: Apprentice
You can see that the Tinker has a second blade while the Apprentice has a nail file/nail cleaner.
Size comparison against other models:
From Left to Right: Victorinox Compact, Victorinox Hiker, Victorinox Tinker Small, Victorinox Manager, Wenger Apprentice, Wenger Serrated Backpacker, Wenger Ranger 51.
Thickness against other models:
From Left to Right: Victorinox Compact, Wenger Serrated Backpacker, Wenger Apprentice, Victorinox Hiker
Difference in Pre and Post buyout:
This image shows the Serrated Backpacker (left) vs Apprentice (right), the backpacker is an older model dating back to around 2004. As you can see there is a difference in the quality of the logo. The older logo looks and feels like a sticker. It is slightly raised above the scales, where the newer logo looks painted directly on the scales. I can also feel a slight difference between the strength of the springs, however this could be due to the backpackers ten years of use while the apprentice is brand new. Aside from that the fit and finish feel very similar.
Overall I must say I am impressed with the Wenger apprentice. The fit and finish are great, the blade geometry is a little bit different but I doubt any less useful, the tool selection is good, and the springs feel good and tight. Also I like the tweezers and toothpick location way more on the Wenger's than the Victorinox. They are tucked inside of the scales rather than on the outside, this makes it way harder to accidentally pull out while handling. I also like the keyring hole on the Wenger better than the Victorinox. Its much beefier and rounded so it doesnt get stuck on stuff like the Victorinox. However I am not too thrilled about losing the smaller blade and phillips head. The small blade was nice to use on smaller tasks and on chores that I didn't want to sacrifice my main blade for.
Cliff-notes: Is one better than the other? Honestly, no. They are just different.
Will the Apprentice replace your tried and true tinker small?: Probably not, however I could see them trading off on EDC days.
Companions:
Wenger Apprentice with my early 1950's boy scout hatchet.
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