Wenger Standard Issue vs. Victorinox Soldier

lotus · Dec 4, 2005

Which one is better and what are the differences between the two?

I'm assuming I should go for the Victorinox since it is the official knife of the Swiss Army, and I've heard Victorinox makes a bit better knives.

Wenger Standard Issue:

http://www.wengerna.com/browse/product.jsp?prod_id=10&cat_id=1&cat_name=Knives&sub_cat_id=18

Victorinox Soldier:

http://www.victorinox.com/newsite/en/produkte/produktdetails/detail.cfm?pid=0-8610-26

Any advice and/or opinions are greatly appreciated.

Don Luis · Dec 4, 2005

Welcome,

Both of these are made to Swiss army specs and both are issued by the Swiss army.

I have both and find them very similar in quality, I like the Wenger because of the shackle though I have a Vic Soldier with the small key ring. Lately when I take an Alox SAK, it's my Vic Farmer which is like the Soldier but adds a saw.

Luis

rhino · Dec 4, 2005

I have both, and other than the shackle on the Wenger, I can't tell any difference. They are both very well made, smoothe to open, and snap shut with authority. All of the tools and blades are the same, thicker than either company's standard versions in their other knives.

Way-O · Dec 4, 2005

Since they've been the same company since May last year after Victorinox bought the ailing Wenger, there shouldn't be any QC difference either.

lotus · Dec 4, 2005

So it is true that the models that feature aluminum blades have thicker blades than the standard models??

One more question, is the Wenger EVO 63 worth consideration??

Thank you all in advance.

drano · Dec 5, 2005

aluminum blades ???

you mean scales ?

i dont think the blades are any different than the plastic scaled ones.

UnknownVT · Dec 5, 2005

drano said:
i dont think the blades are any different than the plastic scaled ones.

They are different. They are longer - Wenger's regular SAK length is 85mm, Victorinox's regular SAK length is 91mm. Both the Soldier and Standard Issue actually measure 93mm (despite the fact Victorinox spec's them at 91mm).

The actual blade stocks are thicker too.

Please see this thread about the size of the Soldiers and "Pioneer" alox series -

SAKs - 91mm Vic Soldier & Alox "Pioneers"?

Direct comparison of the two SAKs -

Victorinox Soldier v. Wenger Standard Issue

--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/

bama_lou · Dec 6, 2005

drano said:
aluminum blades ???

you mean scales ?

i dont think the blades are any different than the plastic scaled ones.

In addition to the size of the blade, the bottle opener and the can opener appear rough and unfinished, while the "officer's models" have their tools polished to a nice luster.