Looking for my first Swiss knife tools.. Wenger?

[jojobos]

I am looking to get my first mid to full size Vic or Wenger tool. I did some research but would love to hear your opinions!

First, I want the locking screwdrivers and a blade. I am also in need of a sturdy flathead screwdriver for bigger screws. A pair of pliers, scissors, and may be a wrench will be nice too. I own some Leathermans, SOGs, Gerbers, and Swisstool but I want something in swiss army knife style.

 


Wenger S557;
like the tool selection, does it have a same bottle opener/flathead as Ranger series?

Wenger Alinghi, Ranger 73 and 75;
like the flathead screwdriver selection on Alinghi, but I hear the pliers doesn't open far..
Also, are they too big for a pocket carry?

Vic Hercules;
perfect tool selection for me!! I only wish it comes with a locking screwdriver.

Wenger Swissgrip;
It looks like this can handle anything but looks huge and bulky. I love the fact that it sports a hex opening though.

I am leaning towards S557 especially if the screwdrivers are as capable as Wenger Ranger series. Can you guys give me some inputs?

Thanks!

 

[jzmtl]

I think the only "locking" screwdriver is on vic OHT. Wenger's will lock when you push it down but not when you pry with it. S557 doesn't have the same opener as ranger I think, the one on ranger is bigger. I can pocket my ranger 58 in winter when I have a jacket, but in summer it's too big.

[jojobos]

Thank you for your reply. The OHT looks so nice!! Do you think can the aftermarket clip be directly drilled into the scale of OHT or Ranger?? Has anyone done this with the original scale?

[jzmtl]

I wouldn't do it, you'll strip the plastic when you bend clip too hard. Both vic and wenger are puttin clip on their knives now thou, I think OHT will get one as well. Not sure when, maybe one of the swiss gurus can tell you.

[AndyTiedye]

The Alinghi and the S557 are my favorite Wengers.   Both have a very useful tool lineup.
Both have a locking blade and screwdriver.   Both have pliers.

The mini-screwdriver from the Vics will fit in the Wenger corkscrew btw.

The Alinghi is a bit more specialized in that it includes a marlinspike and a long screwdriver
but leaves out such ordinary things as a can opener and scissors.
The marlinspike on the Alinghi is really handy as a poking tool and a ruler, as well as for untangling stuff.

The 73 also leaves out the can opener, and includes a hooked harvester-type blade.
The 75 is a more general-purpose set-up.

The 174 has a partly-serrated blade,  a corkscrew instead of a Phillips,
and adds a standard 1/4" bit driver like the one on the WengerGrip.

The high cost of the Alinghi is partly offset by the inclusion of a sheath in the purchase price.
The sheath is included with the Alinghi and the Touring 174, but not any of the other NewRangers.

Another very handy NewRanger is the 172.   This is a scissors-based NewRanger.

I think the only "locking" screwdriver is on vic OHT.

The Vic Fireman has the same liner-locking screwdriver.   It is a 7mm screwdriver,
not a 5mm like the bottle openers on 84s, 91s, and slide-lock 111s.

The Rangers have a slightly sturdier screwdriver than the 85mms like the S557.
Both lock with downward pressure such as when using it as a screwdriver, and release automatically.

Are the Rangers too big for pocket carry?  Not really.   It helps to have big pockets though.
The pliers are very good needlenose pliers, and like many needlenose pliers, they don't open very far.
If you need needlenose pliers that open further, but are heftier than the Vic pliers,  consider an Aitor Alligator.

The SwissGrip IS huge and bulky.   Those pliers don't fold into the tool.   Sheaths are somewhat unobtainium
(though I saw one Swissgrip posted for sale that has one).   It is a really sturdy tool, but a bit of a beast for EDC.
The bit driver is nice though. 

[jojobos]

Thank you for the info. I placed an order for Alinghi just now!!    It appears Alinghi is harder to find that the others and found one at $96 locally. So I decided to get this first and see how long I can hold off getting OHT and others...  Anyways, now here is an another question. Where can I buy the hex tip adaptor that came with the Swissgrip?

[Mr. Whippy]

I'm a huge fan of the S557.  Really useful tool set for mechanical work.  It doesn't have a saw, which limits it a bit in gardening, camping and fencing work.  The size of it is amazingly small.

Can't comment on the other knives. 

BTW, when I'm doing fencing, I use a Wenger Cascade (locking blade and saw).  Really nice compact knife too.

[Leatherman123]

I can't seem to find any info on that knife, ANYWHERE!

[jzmtl]

I can't seem to find any info on that knife, ANYWHERE!

S557? Not much to say about it really, just like any other Wenger knife, with tool selection you see on the picture. I wanted one (okay still want one) but never got to it.

[Leatherman123]

I should have made this more clear, the Wenger Cascade.. 

[jzmtl]

Hmm, that's interesting, the only wenger cascade I can find it the backpack.

[Leatherman123]

Me too!

[Mr. Whippy]

Retired model.  Serrated locking blade.  I had to find it on Sakwiki and Smartknives.com

I got it in a lot of 10 for the State of PA (along with the my neighbor's daughter's knife  )