Victorinox vs Wenger

muphasta

muphasta

Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Messages
853
Is it just me, or does anyone else cringe at the thought of getting a Wenger knife instead of a Victorinox?

I've no experience w/Wenger so my reaction is quite odd, but I just prefer Victorinox.
 
muphasta said:
Is it just me, or does anyone else cringe at the thought of getting a Wenger knife instead of a Victorinox?

I've no experience w/Wenger so my reaction is quite odd, but I just prefer Victorinox.
Click to expand...

I like a lot of the Wenger tool sets as they make a bunch of unique patterns but the quality is a rung below Vic. That being said the quality is still very good and they are proven to last.

I've owned a ton of each and sold them all off once I realized that at least for my needs, the pocket multi tool does not get any better than a Leatherman Juice S2.
 
muphasta said:
I've no experience w/Wenger so my reaction is quite odd, but I just prefer Victorinox.
Click to expand...

Having admittedly no experience w/one, I wonder why you would be concerned? I'm trying to find one of the retailer blowouts that some of the luckier posters here have found, LOL. :D
 
Right after 9/11, when no one could sell pocket knives, Wenger went broke and Victorinox, unsung, stepped up to the plate and saved them. I guess Wenger has been allowed to retain their designs and manufacture but Victorinox is still by far the best. Have used both for 40 years (Wenger only out of curiosity) but the openers and other stuff are not as ingenious or good.
 
VictorLouis said:
Having admittedly no experience w/one, I wonder why you would be concerned? I'm trying to find one of the retailer blowouts that some of the luckier posters here have found, LOL. :D
Click to expand...

As I mentioned, I do think it odd that I prefer Vic over Wenger, but I've always had a Vic. Started out with a SAK Companion that my father's uncles used as promo items for their company. I received that when I was about 10 and must just prefer Vic because of that.
 
Victorinox is better known, but Wenger makes a great knife, too. As somebody pointed out, Victorinox owns both brands now.

I own a lot of knives from both and have zero complaints. They have small differences that accomodate the needs and taste of each individual user. For instance, some folks love the Victorinox can opener, but some prefer a regular "hook" can opener and Wenger offers that. Wenger has regular sized models that lock, different scissors, etc.

They also make their knives in different sizes, the regular Victorinos SAK is about 91mm closed, while Wengers are about 85mm closed. The larger locking Wengers are a bit bigger than those from Victorinox.

And I could go on about little differences like that. I always have a SAK on me, and pick whichever brand and model I feel like carrying that day. I end up using Wenger more than Vics.
 
Expensive, lower overall F&F than Vic, scissor/plier spring design makes them move around while in use making them unusable, scissor blades are serrated which makes cuts messy. Basically, it feels like I'm paying extra for gimmicks. Also, not a complaint that most people can relate to: Wengers don't come with that hook on the back of the scissors.
 
muphasta said:
I've no experience w/Wenger so my reaction is quite odd, but I just prefer Victorinox.
Click to expand...

Relatively speaking your reaction is not that odd. For some reason you prefer the idea of the more "traditional", "original", or "classic" status of of the Vic.
I can certainly understand that. I'm sure there are many others who prefer certain brands for similar reasons.

I have several Vics and several Wengers. To me, the Vics are the more tried-and-true traditional designs, but I find many of the slight differences that Wenger has incorporated in their products quite interesting and a nice change from the Vics.

I don't think you're missing anything important by not buying Wenger, but, as someone else mentioned, this would be a good time to pick one up since they are going away.
 
XiaolongJackson said:
Expensive, lower overall F&F than Vic, scissor/plier spring design makes them move around while in use making them unusable, scissor blades are serrated which makes cuts messy. Basically, it feels like I'm paying extra for gimmicks. Also, not a complaint that most people can relate to: Wengers don't come with that hook on the back of the scissors.
Click to expand...

What hook? Also, I've never known Wenger to have any fit or finish issues at all. The Ranger series is fantastic, and often offers more utility than Vic's 111mm line.

That being said, nothing beats Victorinox alox models. They're the cat's potatoes.
 
Carried a Wegner tool chest all day. Have always had a Victorinox Swiss champ handy, but bought the tool chest the other day. Love the large locking blade and I have always thought the scissors on my other Wegners were a cut above the Victorinox. Haven't used the wood saw yet, cut a lot of walking sticks with the Victorinox saw. It will be fun to keep comparing over the next year.
 
I dunno the wenger soldat has that handy bail whereas the Vic has no bail at all although the civi version has a ring. ..
 
300Six said:
Right after 9/11, when no one could sell pocket knives, Wenger went broke and Victorinox, unsung, stepped up to the plate and saved them. I guess Wenger has been allowed to retain their designs and manufacture but Victorinox is still by far the best. Have used both for 40 years (Wenger only out of curiosity) but the openers and other stuff are not as ingenious or good.
Click to expand...

I kinda recall it was more recent than that .... Vic HAD to buy Wenger or it was at risk of foreign companies owning the .'geuine swiss knife. ' label with production senr to china.
 
There is a Kmart in my area that is going out of business that has the Wenger Highlander on clearance for $12 and the Wenger Evo S10 for I think it was $14. I was going to pick one of each up yesterday but wasn't sure if that was a good deal or not as I don't know much of anything about the Swiss made knives. I've been trying to read what i can about them and just might go back tomorrow and pick a couple up.
 
Wenger has been making good knives for over 100 years. Though Victorinox acquired Wenger 8 years ago, both will still serve you well. I don't cringe at all as I'm still looking for a vintage Wenger Allsport.
 
Wenger's 85mm versus Victorinox's 91mm
could have played a decisive part in making victorinox a mite sharper...
 
jkulysses said:
There is a Kmart in my area that is going out of business that has the Wenger Highlander on clearance for $12 and the Wenger Evo S10 for I think it was $14. I was going to pick one of each up yesterday but wasn't sure if that was a good deal or not as I don't know much of anything about the Swiss made knives. I've been trying to read what i can about them and just might go back tomorrow and pick a couple up.
Click to expand...

That's a very good price on both. I'd have bought them in a second.
At that price, great way for you to get some knowledge about Wenger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top