Wenger SI or Vic Alox?

I bought a Wenger SI 25 years ago, and used it like I stole it. It's still servicable today. They are built to Swiss military specs, and are very rugged using tools.

Carl.
 
I own both, but do not really have a preference. They're similar in tools and build quality. The main difference is that the Wenger has a bail. Note that the Victorinox alox Soldier is a discontinued model. I'm not sure about the Wenger SI, I still see that model in the shops.
 
I've got both and I'd pick the Vic Pioneer of the two, but that said you can't go wrong with either. The reason I'd go for the Vic is the keyring
is better attached than the bail, but you'd have to try very hard to remove the bail from the Wenger, plus I think the steel is slightly better on the Vic.
My only reason for saying that is there is a bit of a ring when you steel the Vic blade but the Wenger sounds dull when steeled. Both get very sharp.
I actually carry a Wenger most of the time so you can tell there is virtually nothing between them. Either is probably the best pocket knife you can buy IMO.
 
My favorite is an older Vic Pioneer that I got off of Ebay. It's an old red handled model with a Swiss cross emblem and brass liners. The older brass liner Vics just seem to have slightly better performing steel than the newer ones. Not as stainless maybe, but less likely to roll the edge. The tools on the older Pioneers are also not so badly rounded from polishing, giving them an edge in performance. The keyring isn't visually as cool as a Wenger bail, but never gets in the way of the blade closing like a bail does.

My next favorite is the Wenger SI. Like the older Vics, they have better performing steel at the cost of a bit less stainlessness. The Wenger SI has the great bail, and a sharper awl. I usually remove the bail and run a piece of thin paracord through the hollow rivet. The fit of the Wengers isn't as consistent as Victorinox, so you might need to try a couple to get a really good one.
 
The bail will take a bite out of your blade when closing if youre not careful. Ive done that twice now, one lapse in attention is enough.
 
Hmmm i think i'm considering the wenger. Bails are cool :cool: But Vics are nice too.... These saks just have so much utility. One of the main reasons that i'm buying it is as a small food prep knife (my carbon steel knives make my food taste awful) combined with the utility of an awl and can opener. Thanks for the replies
 
I personally love the bail. Growing up in an age of boy scout knives, TL-29's, army MKL knives, and German Mercator K55's, I'm so used to a bail, I don't have a problem closing it on the blade. It''s second nature to watch out for the bail.

Carl.
 
I'm really digging the victorinox alox pioneer I got a few weeks ago (in my avatar). I believe it is the same as the soldier but has a key ring on it. I'm sure you can't go wrong with either though.
 
I won't buy a pioneer, the little nubby that the key ring attaches to digs into my hand. Get a Wenger or a Soldier
 
xbxb said:
I won't buy a pioneer, the little nubby that the key ring attaches to digs into my hand. Get a Wenger or a Soldier
Click to expand...

That's why I sanded that thing off. The metal is pretty soft, you just have to be careful not to scratch the alox handle too much. I wanted a soldier but couldn't find one for a reasonable price so I got the pioneer and just removed the key ring.
 
I Like Both Wenger And Victorinox, But I'm More Partial To Victorinox. I Just Love The Overall Quality Of The Knives.
 
The SI is superior to most Wengers in F/F , the blade has a tad more belly , slices well . It has the bail . I like both , I've owned and gifted both . Good results all round . ATM , I own two Vic's and a Pioneer , no slap to Wenger . Of the soldier and it's kin , I prefer the Pioneer . I work aloft a lot , and i like the lanyard ring .

Chris
 
Alright, one more question. How does the thickness of the blades and the springs on the vic alox or wenger si's compare to those of a demo knife or a regular sak (such as a climber for example)? thanks
 
OzarkCreekWalker said:
Alright, one more question. How does the thickness of the blades and the springs on the vic alox or wenger si's compare to those of a demo knife or a regular sak (such as a climber for example)? thanks
Click to expand...

The Pioneer/Soldier/SI blades and tools are thicker than those of a standard SAK. Not sure about the demo knife. I'll take a look tonight.
 
OzarkCreekWalker said:
Alright, one more question. How does the thickness of the blades and the springs on the vic alox or wenger si's compare to those of a demo knife or a regular sak (such as a climber for example)? thanks
Click to expand...

All of the alox SAK tools are the same thickness as the knife blade on the demo knife.
 
Buzzbait said:
All of the alox SAK tools are the same thickness as the knife blade on the demo knife.
Click to expand...
Thanks for checking for me, I appreciate it.
This weekend i'll be hittin' the antique stores and seeing what i can find in relation to demo knives, scout knives, and soldier knives. I've also been thinking about the demo knife because it seems very rugged and classic. I've always thought it looked more military than the civilian looking SAKs (regardless of the fact that Army is in its name :rolleyes:). If i come up short, I'll be more than happy to buy the Wenger SI. I like it more than the Vics because I prefer a bail to the Pioneer's little nub thing that apparently sticks into your hand. And I'm probably not going with the soldier because, as nice as i think it is, I like having something to attach a lanyard to, which I attach a firesteel to, it'll be bushcraftin' companion (no i don't like the little saws on saks, insert long explanation here). Or in the fashion of a knife knut i'll buy all three and determine which I like the best. Thanks for the replies
 
Just a friendly warning on the U.S. MLK knife/AKA the demo knife. It's not very well made, and has a tendency to break springs. When compared to the Swiss made knives, they are crude, and the screw driver/bottle opener tends to be a nail breaker.

The U.S. made demo knife was my inspiration to buy a sak when I was in the army.

Carl.
 
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