Posted this in SOSAK in knifeforums first but in case people here don't have access, here goes:
I want to start with this:
Either my new knife is atypically good for a Wenger (possibly better than before now that Vic bought them) or people complaining about Wengers are on crack
I didn't need another knife with a saw and I liked the tool combo on this Wenger...
This is my first Wenger - I have a bunch of Vics (Cybertool 29, Soldier, Cadet II, Adventurer, Swisstool Spirit, Swisstool RS, Rambler, Mauser), Leathermans (Super Tool, Wave, Crunch, Squirt, Pulse, Micra), Swiss-Tech (Utili-Key) and 1 SOG Powerlock (which I think TOTALLY rocks). 1 CRKT M16 AUS6 folder (great). 1 Buck Whittaker (hate it). Oh, I have 1 large Opinel as well, which I love
Not gonna post pictures since there are plenty online and I don't have a camera handy.
The knife has:
Large blade
Nailfile
Phillips
Wrench
Pliers
Flathead screwdriver
Can opener
Awl
Corkscrew
The quality seems superb - no blade play and THE SPRINGS ARE REALLY TIGHT! No issues there at all, and I am NOT going to take pictures with all tools splayed out since I know this is bad on the springs.
I get the feeling that if you use this the way its designers intended you'll be perfectly fine. And if it spectacularly fails, that's what warranties are for.
The blade was sharp - Vics may be a touch sharper out of the box, but a bit of stropping will cure that in maybe 10s.
The blade locking system is superb (the safety catch does NOT get in the way and is NOT too easy to disengage) and the extra detent on the blade as it closes a nice safety feature.
The phillips doesn't lock under pressure but it's tight, tighter than vic. The "walk and talk" everyone talks about is great - not the same in all blades but some are tighter than the Soldier's. No idea BTW why the term is used, maybe someone can help...
BTW, the ONLY reason I was hesitating with the Wenger was people's comments about weak springs.
The flathead is the only implement that locks under pressure - seems to need a bit much to do so, though. Still, a useful feature.
The pliers are slipjoint and can extend a little bit to grasp larger things - I didn't buy this for the pliers but it may help. I mean, vic or wenger, the pliers are so tiny that one probably can't exert any serious kind of pressure for heavier work. Still cool though and it IS convenient to have pliers in such a tiny package - though my Leatherman Squirt handily beats it there (even tinier and the pliers are great for the size).
Scissors are nice, there is no screw, BTW (some people complained about wenger scissor screws in the past).
The tweezers are nice and well hidden - I think I prefer Wenger's system. Plus, if you lose them, the tool still looks nice, there's no big hole like with Vics.
The Evo scales are really sharp-looking IMO. Not sure whether they truly help but they don't get in the way, either. They probably do help with heavy cutting.
I like that the knife is a tad smaller than 91mm Vics, I couldn't believe the size of the box
Now for the negatives:
1. The awl is not sharp like Vic. Still makes holes, but the sharp edge of the Vic helps more... filing time, methinks.
2. Applying pressure at the center of the scales I can see them buckling a teeny tiny bit - I've noticed this only very rarely with Vics. Not a big deal at all.
3. Due to the design of scissors and pliers, they move in their entirety when you open and close the handle - a bit weird.
4. No small flathead - might be worth it going to the Vic can opener design just for that. OTOH the Wenger flathead is a better compromise size-wise so it will probably be good for more screws.
5. I hate the toothpick and I think Vic's is way better. Having said that, I've never used the toothpick in my Vics...
6. The width is about 1" - larger than I'm used to but that's nothing to do with the quality of the knife.
Anyway, that's it. I haven't seen a decent review of this knife anywhere so I tried my best. I also wanted to dispel some myths about (current) Wenger quality. Guys, this thing is superbly made. Plus, it IS Victorinox now, so I really think it's a matter of tool preference.
Looking at the Wenger lineup I think they have some unique models and I truly don't get why they should be second-class citizens.
Of the Vics, I think the Cybertool line is probably the most relevant in an urban environment. Love my 29, though I don't think it's better made than this Wenger in any way.
D
I want to start with this:
Either my new knife is atypically good for a Wenger (possibly better than before now that Vic bought them) or people complaining about Wengers are on crack
I didn't need another knife with a saw and I liked the tool combo on this Wenger...
This is my first Wenger - I have a bunch of Vics (Cybertool 29, Soldier, Cadet II, Adventurer, Swisstool Spirit, Swisstool RS, Rambler, Mauser), Leathermans (Super Tool, Wave, Crunch, Squirt, Pulse, Micra), Swiss-Tech (Utili-Key) and 1 SOG Powerlock (which I think TOTALLY rocks). 1 CRKT M16 AUS6 folder (great). 1 Buck Whittaker (hate it). Oh, I have 1 large Opinel as well, which I love
Not gonna post pictures since there are plenty online and I don't have a camera handy.
The knife has:
Large blade
Nailfile
Phillips
Wrench
Pliers
Flathead screwdriver
Can opener
Awl
Corkscrew
The quality seems superb - no blade play and THE SPRINGS ARE REALLY TIGHT! No issues there at all, and I am NOT going to take pictures with all tools splayed out since I know this is bad on the springs.
I get the feeling that if you use this the way its designers intended you'll be perfectly fine. And if it spectacularly fails, that's what warranties are for.
The blade was sharp - Vics may be a touch sharper out of the box, but a bit of stropping will cure that in maybe 10s.
The blade locking system is superb (the safety catch does NOT get in the way and is NOT too easy to disengage) and the extra detent on the blade as it closes a nice safety feature.
The phillips doesn't lock under pressure but it's tight, tighter than vic. The "walk and talk" everyone talks about is great - not the same in all blades but some are tighter than the Soldier's. No idea BTW why the term is used, maybe someone can help...
BTW, the ONLY reason I was hesitating with the Wenger was people's comments about weak springs.
The flathead is the only implement that locks under pressure - seems to need a bit much to do so, though. Still, a useful feature.
The pliers are slipjoint and can extend a little bit to grasp larger things - I didn't buy this for the pliers but it may help. I mean, vic or wenger, the pliers are so tiny that one probably can't exert any serious kind of pressure for heavier work. Still cool though and it IS convenient to have pliers in such a tiny package - though my Leatherman Squirt handily beats it there (even tinier and the pliers are great for the size).
Scissors are nice, there is no screw, BTW (some people complained about wenger scissor screws in the past).
The tweezers are nice and well hidden - I think I prefer Wenger's system. Plus, if you lose them, the tool still looks nice, there's no big hole like with Vics.
The Evo scales are really sharp-looking IMO. Not sure whether they truly help but they don't get in the way, either. They probably do help with heavy cutting.
I like that the knife is a tad smaller than 91mm Vics, I couldn't believe the size of the box
Now for the negatives:
1. The awl is not sharp like Vic. Still makes holes, but the sharp edge of the Vic helps more... filing time, methinks.
2. Applying pressure at the center of the scales I can see them buckling a teeny tiny bit - I've noticed this only very rarely with Vics. Not a big deal at all.
3. Due to the design of scissors and pliers, they move in their entirety when you open and close the handle - a bit weird.
4. No small flathead - might be worth it going to the Vic can opener design just for that. OTOH the Wenger flathead is a better compromise size-wise so it will probably be good for more screws.
5. I hate the toothpick and I think Vic's is way better. Having said that, I've never used the toothpick in my Vics...
6. The width is about 1" - larger than I'm used to but that's nothing to do with the quality of the knife.
Anyway, that's it. I haven't seen a decent review of this knife anywhere so I tried my best. I also wanted to dispel some myths about (current) Wenger quality. Guys, this thing is superbly made. Plus, it IS Victorinox now, so I really think it's a matter of tool preference.
Looking at the Wenger lineup I think they have some unique models and I truly don't get why they should be second-class citizens.
Of the Vics, I think the Cybertool line is probably the most relevant in an urban environment. Love my 29, though I don't think it's better made than this Wenger in any way.
D
