Why arn't Wenger knives very popular?

I should be noted that Victorinox have made it very clear that they have no say in the running of Wenger and that Wenger are free to do what they want. All Vic did was invest the money too keep Wenger from going under. So still very much two separate companies with their own design ideas and prioritise.
 
I think some of it must be that I hardly ever see Wenger for sale amywhere. If they were, I may have had more Wenger's than Victorinox, as two of my favorite pocket knives are Wenger. My old SI and an old Wenger patriot are great knives. The patriot is a great little pen knife.

Carl.
 
My first SAK was a Wenger, purchased at a time I didn't know anything about the two companies. Overall, I was quite pleased with and well served by it. Later, after comparing my SAK with a Victorinox version, it seemed to me obvious that the Vic version was superior in design, fit and finish, not enough to make me switch, but ever since I have always shopped among the Vics.
However, all that was a long time ago, and I can't say for sure if there is still a difference in quality between the makes.
 
I used to work at a sporting goods store in the 90s that stocked Wengers. I had to handle them quite a bit to show customers. At that time I carried a Vic SwissChamp. The Wengers felt flimsy compared to the Vics and Wenger's F&F was of a lesser quality. Things may have improved since Victorinox bought them but to me the Victorinoxes are the real deal. I own all the SAKs I'll ever need so I haven't looked at any of Wenger's new products.
 
I know the older Wenger knives had softer springs, and some had springs that were easily destroyed by splaying out all the tools like you'd see in a display.
 
Stelth said:
I used to work at a sporting goods store in the 90s that stocked Wengers. I had to handle them quite a bit to show customers. At that time I carried a Vic SwissChamp. The Wengers felt flimsy compared to the Vics and Wenger's F&F was of a lesser quality. Things may have improved since Victorinox bought them but to me the Victorinoxes are the real deal. I own all the SAKs I'll ever need so I haven't looked at any of Wenger's new products.
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I agree with you 100%. Which is why, I exclusively carry only Victorinox knives and EDC SwissTool. I initially owned a smaller Wenger, that featured a 'lever-lock' for the main-blade, and as you can guess, it was the 'first' thing that broke! 'Gander Mountain' is the only retail outlet that sells them locally by me.
 
"Zephyr One/Zero", there can be no doubt that by all accounts you are a true SAK fan,
as everything else you had posted was "spot on".
i do somehow have the strangest feeling that had such a reversal of "cantons" be suddenly turned factual ;-)
we could today instead be seeing this entire discourse to be a "why aren't victorinox.." thread :-0
i m inclined to think that inherited history and cultural traditions can sometimes dictate the economic success of a particular area?
 
GIRLYmann said:
"Zephyr One/Zero", there can be no doubt that by all accounts you are a true SAK fan,
as everything else you had posted was "spot on".
i do somehow have the strangest feeling that had such a reversal of "cantons" be suddenly turned factual ;-)
we could today instead be seeing this entire discourse to be a "why aren't victorinox.." thread :-0
i m inclined to think that inherited history and cultural traditions can sometimes dictate the economic success of a particular area?
Click to expand...

I concur, your insight makes sense. In which case, 'Wenger' could very well be the most dominate brand.
 
Here where I live Wenger is very popular with decent selection. In the old days they were available at a gas station, watch dealer in the mall, milsurp shop and Kmart. Victorinox was only available at True Value and they only carried the classic. Now Lowes and Walmart have them but theres only like 3 models to choose from(Classic, Recruit and some other one which I don't know what its called.) Wenger on the other hand is available at Kmart and Dunhams and the selection is decent.
 
I collect both Wenger and Victorinox knives. I feel that I can get more functionality out of my Vics. What I like about wenger is their light weight and smaller size.
 
Victorinox is superior to me. I dont like the weaker backsprings or the can opener on wengers.
 
When I was 10 and saw a Vic SwissChamp for the first time, I was hooked. MacGyver shows at the time didn't help at all either.

Many years later I purchased a Wenger Pocketgrip when I was in the PI; that was my only Wenger SAK.

Since then, I've had more Vics.
 
I carry a Wenger on my keychain daily. It's slightly larger than the Victorinox Classic, has a usable screwdriver/bottle opener, and what's really great for a eyeglasses wearer, a tiny screwdriver that fits many eyeglass screws. I have two 84mm Wengers with locking blades, one partially serrated, one plain edge, which is neat. That said, I have a ton more Victorixox than Wenger. More possible tool/blade combinations, I suppose, plus I definitely prefer the Vics in 111mm size.
 
I actually found a new Wenger Evolution 10 at Dunham's Sporting Goods, and for $20.00 USD couldn't pass it up.

HPIM1236-1.jpg


Here it is in comparison to a Victorinox 'Tinker' and an older 'Trekker' model:

HPIM1243.jpg


Here's a picture I snapped with my BUG for size reference:

HPIM1253.jpg


Finally a comparison between an Wenger Evo 10, and a Vic Huntsman Silver Tech:

HPIM1250.jpg
 
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I prefer vic for the most part. However, I love my wenger SI. It is by far my favorite SAK to date. The bale is just rock solid and is fun to play with :)

Im really sad that they d/c the SI and I feel that is a great loss.
 
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