Wenger vs Victorinox.

udtjim

udtjim

Joined
Sep 4, 2007
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For those who own and use both of these brands of SAK's, which do you find to be the best quality and how do the steels use in both compare? I have wondered about this for years and own 99 percent Victorinox. In fact I only have one Wenger which I bought about 15 years ago. I have not used it that much. Its the larger size with the saw and locking large blade.
 
A few years back Victorinox bought Wenger. The older Wenger, while good knives lacked the quality of Victorinox (weaker backsprings seems to be the common complaint). The newer Wenger are on par with Victorinox. I own mostly Victorinx and for years my EDC was a Vic Camper, but I bought a new Wenger Evo S17 and it has been my EDC since I got it (a week or so), I really like it.
 
I had heard the Victorinox bought out Wenger but I was not sure. Thanks. Anyone know what steel they use?
 
Overall, since the purchase of Wenger, they are pretty much equal quality. Some tools are better on one than the other, the spring system on the Wenger scissors and pliers is much better than on Victorinox though.

It's hard to go wrong with either one these days.
 
sunshaker said:
A few years back Victorinox bought Wenger. The older Wenger, while good knives lacked the quality of Victorinox (weaker backsprings seems to be the common complaint). The newer Wenger are on par with Victorinox. ...
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Thanks for that information. I didn't know that. All I've ever owned has been Victorinox and they've always done the job.
 
all ive ever owned were the older wengers and victorinox. the victorinox's are definately better. they have thicker blades and tools and have stronger back springs. the wengers back springs tend to get weak over time and if you open tools opposite end of each other (for cleaning purposes), which stressed the same back spring, would weaken the back spring. victorinox will not do this. victorinox's do use a little leaf spring under their pliers and scissors which tends to break over time and use. i cant speak for the newer wengers. i would think since they are owned by victorinox now they be equal quality.,,,VWB.
 
I would say knives are quite equal. However, Wenger gives only 5 years warranty and many knives do not have toothpick and other smalls bits though they started appearing on new knives.
I definitely like Wenger basic knives for the size - it is very small for comfort, however not too small to shy away from some serious work like cooking. But since I decided to stop collecting knives I gave my Wenger to my wife and kept Victorinox SwissChamp for EDC.
 
The Vic may have a little on the Wenger in the F&F department but don't rule out the Wenger. They have some tool combos that Vic doesn't.

Frank
 
One of the things I was hoping Victorinox would do after acquiring Wenger was using the PackLock system on their mid-size knives. That, in my mind, is the best innovation Wenger has come up with.
 
Either brand is great. I have two Wegners and they are great. One is smaller than standard style with a locking main blade, an LL Bean special from the 80's. I love this knife but by far my favorite is the heavy duty Pioneer Rancher that I have. These Alox babies are really stout!
 
I started with vic's and have stayed with them for over 26 years. you cannot go wrong with an alox scaled victorinox whatever model. Wenger always seemed to just feel cheap to me. ymmv .
 
I've bought both Wengers and Victorinox recently. I can't see any difference in quality.

Happy shopping!
-Bob
 
udtjim said:
In fact I only have one Wenger which I bought about 15 years ago. I have not used it that much. It's the larger size with the saw and locking large blade.
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By "larger" do you mean this one? :cool:

giantknife_ss_3.jpg
 
Bob W said:
I've bought both Wengers and Victorinox recently. I can't see any difference in quality.

Happy shopping!
-Bob
Click to expand...

I have a rare SwissChamp in Wood. Newer Vic's and Wengers are made in Taiwan/China - no longer Swiss :mad:
 
They are still Swiss made.
"Over 34,000 of these pocket tools with the distinctive Swiss cross leave the factory in central Switzerland each day."
from here
http://www.swissarmy.com/TheCompany/Pages/thecompany.aspx

Or this
Where are Victorinox knives made?

"Victorinox is the largest knife manufacturer in Europe and is located in Ibach, Switzerland. All Victorinox stamped Blades are manufactured in Switzerland. The exclusive forged range offers a unique partnership, whereby the knife is forged in Solingen, Germany (the heartland of hot drop forged cutlery) and is finished in Switzerland, including all quality control, polishing, and the famous Victorinox factory edge. This delivers the utmost quality product possible."
from here
http://www.swissarmy.com/FORSCHNER/Pages/RHForschnerFAQ.aspx#wherearevictorinoxknivesmade
 
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