Any love for Wenger?

[ICanFixThat]

EAGLE

The Wenger 1979 catalog also list an Eagle (16951), basically a Viking/Classic 101 with an eagle on the handle. I don't have one; does anyone here have a decent photo?

The only image I ever saw is in the catalog that Francis posted.
I think it is also interesting the Deer, which has a different imprint as the one usually seen.
-------
I have this knife coming from the USA.
Do you think the image is a company logo or a Wenger imprint?
The knife is the "locking Monarch" we have been discussing few pages back.

Very nice! Never seen that logo before. Agree with Francis that it looks like Wenger did it. Wonder if it's a rare standard model? Could be a special run for some outdoor equipment company, but all the ones I have (Eddie Bauer, Cabela's, Orvis, etc.)  have the company name prominently on the knife.

I bought the Sailfish from winddance.

It will be interesting to find out about the Canoe. It does look like the type of image Eddie Bauer or some other Outfitter would do, but either way it's a nice one.

I just looked at an 83 Wenger catalog, has some new stuff on the Dynasty series, stuff we've seen on knives in terms of different engravings.  Should have it scanned this weeked.

[jcfiguet]

A little summary for English-speaking readers :

http://www.fans-du-couteau-suisse.com/t750-le-couteau-du-forum-2013#9007

[ColoSwiss]

Since my French is nil, I doubt I'll spend much time on FCS; but glad to have you here! 

[jcfiguet]

Since my French is nil, I doubt I'll spend much time on FCS; but glad to have you here! 

Thanks, but you know my English is nil too ! I use google translate !

[ICanFixThat]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

[jcfiguet]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

Waouuuuuuuuuuu ! So interesting ! Step by step I suppose you will find all Wenger catalogs !!!

[ICanFixThat]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

Waouuuuuuuuuuu ! So interesting ! Step by step I suppose you will find all Wenger catalogs !!!

I wish, but I don't think that will happen.  In the mean time we have 1999 to look forward to soon, but we have a lot of information from around that time and i don't have much time right now and i have a bigger sak project that needs doing so it will have to wait a little while.   

 

[ICanFixThat]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

I should mention I have not yet been able to confirm the date of 1983, so let me know if you have any ideas on this.

[jcfiguet]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

I should mention I have not yet been able to confirm the date of 1983, so let me know if you have any ideas on this.

If you have no indication of printed date it will be dificult to confirm 1983.
In this catalog we have indications about the "locking blade" but nothing about the security lock on  screwdriver patented in 1982. So I suppose the date is between 1979 and 1981...

[jcfiguet]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

I should mention I have not yet been able to confirm the date of 1983, so let me know if you have any ideas on this.

If you have no indication of printed date it will be dificult to confirm 1983.
In this catalog we have indications about the "locking blade" but nothing about the security lock on  screwdriver patented in 1982. So I suppose the date is between 1979 and 1981...

See page 9 : it's the old screwdriver without security !

[ICanFixThat]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

I should mention I have not yet been able to confirm the date of 1983, so let me know if you have any ideas on this.

If you have no indication of printed date it will be dificult to confirm 1983.
In this catalog we have indications about the "locking blade" but nothing about the security lock on  screwdriver patented in 1982. So I suppose the date is between 1979 and 1981...

See page 9 : it's the old screwdriver without security !

Actually that would probably support 1983, since US importers generally lag Switzerland, sometimes by a few years, but less so with Wenger than with Victorinox.

I'm trying to get the original research on the date, but I am presuming on the positive side that it was valid.

We know it's later than 79, since we have the 79 catalog from the same distributor. It's almost certain they did not release one in 1980, so that would narrow the possible range to 1981 at the earliest.

[enki_ck]

As far as I remember the locking bottle opener was announced in 1982 and first seen in 1984 so 1983 would probably be correct but I'll wait for North Man for confirmation on the Wenger dating.

[jcfiguet]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

I should mention I have not yet been able to confirm the date of 1983, so let me know if you have any ideas on this.

If you have no indication of printed date it will be dificult to confirm 1983.
In this catalog we have indications about the "locking blade" but nothing about the security lock on  screwdriver patented in 1982. So I suppose the date is between 1979 and 1981...

See page 9 : it's the old screwdriver without security !

Actually that would probably support 1983, since US importers generally lag Switzerland, sometimes by a few years, but less so with Wenger than with Victorinox.

I'm trying to get the original research on the date, but I am presuming on the positive side that it was valid.

We know it's later than 79, since we have the 79 catalog from the same distributor. It's almost certain they did not release one in 1980, so that would narrow the possible range to 1981 at the earliest.

Yes, you are true it's later than 79.

I have no information of no editing a 80 catalogue...

But I'm not sure that U.S. importers are late behind Switzerland (70% of Wenger production is sold in North America) and generally Wenger catalogs or advertisements in magazines match with deposit dates of patents for new tools. So I think that 83 would be too late for this catalog.

Another detail of little importance : page 6, the alox "Standard Issue" shown is a old 1961 soldier knife model (variant 2) which was not used in the Swiss army after 1978 (see : http://www.couteaux-du-soldat-suisse.ch/J01/index.php/en/les-couteaux-du-soldat/les-modeles-1961/variante-2), so I guess Wenger continued to sell its old stock to civilian production LOL !

Finally this catalog is very important because we can identify many knives with printed handles that have not been distributed in Europe !

[ICanFixThat]

Wenger 1983 US Catalog posted to SAKwiki.

It's interesting with several small pieces of new information.

 

I should mention I have not yet been able to confirm the date of 1983, so let me know if you have any ideas on this.

If you have no indication of printed date it will be dificult to confirm 1983.
In this catalog we have indications about the "locking blade" but nothing about the security lock on  screwdriver patented in 1982. So I suppose the date is between 1979 and 1981...

See page 9 : it's the old screwdriver without security !

Actually that would probably support 1983, since US importers generally lag Switzerland, sometimes by a few years, but less so with Wenger than with Victorinox.

I'm trying to get the original research on the date, but I am presuming on the positive side that it was valid.

We know it's later than 79, since we have the 79 catalog from the same distributor. It's almost certain they did not release one in 1980, so that would narrow the possible range to 1981 at the earliest.

Yes, you are true it's later than 79.

I have no information of no editing a 80 catalogue...

But I'm not sure that U.S. importers are late behind Switzerland (70% of Wenger production is sold in North America) and generally Wenger catalogs or advertisements in magazines match with deposit dates of patents for new tools. So I think that 83 would be too late for this catalog.

Another detail of little importance : page 6, the alox "Standard Issue" shown is a old 1961 soldier knife model (variant 2) which was not used in the Swiss army after 1978 (see : http://www.couteaux-du-soldat-suisse.ch/J01/index.php/en/les-couteaux-du-soldat/les-modeles-1961/variante-2), so I guess Wenger continued to sell its old stock to civilian production LOL !

Finally this catalog is very important because we can identify many knives with printed handles that have not been distributed in Europe !

Remember often in the older catalogs older pictures were used to save production costs where it was not too important to have the latest picture.

[North Man]

Great work People!, just did not have time to be here to much. I feel you all are very good. By the way, my new webpage http://www.sakhome.com

hope you like the Pictures!

[jcfiguet]

...
Remember often in the older catalogs older pictures were used to save production costs where it was not too important to have the latest picture.

Yes I know the problem of re-using old pictures on catalogs, but when Wenger adds a new invention as the "packlock" for the blade they are advertising on the new tool or the new invention, it is also well known.

Another indication : the first patent date known for the security on the screwdriver is from august 82 (if I don't make a mistake) and usually Wenger makes catalogs between february and april.
 
So, if both arguments are true, then this could be a catalog of 82

[jcfiguet]

Great work People!, just did not have time to be here to much. I feel you all are very good. By the way, my new webpage http://www.sakhome.com

hope you like the Pictures!

Hello North Man,

Congratulation for your website http://www.sakhome.com !

Very good work around Wenger brand !

I don't speak Norvegian but with google translate it's easier to understand !!!

I made a little advertising post of your website on FCS (http://www.fans-du-couteau-suisse.com/t756-nouveau-site-de-northman-consacre-a-wenger#9027) for our french speaking readers.

 

[basilio]

Great work People!, just did not have time to be here to much. I feel you all are very good. By the way, my new webpage http://www.sakhome.com

hope you like the Pictures!

Hello North Man,

Congratulation for your website http://www.sakhome.com !

Very good work around Wenger brand !

I don't speak Norvegian but with google translate it's easier to understand !!!

I made a little advertising post of your website on FCS (http://www.fans-du-couteau-suisse.com/t756-nouveau-site-de-northman-consacre-a-wenger#9027) for our french speaking readers.

 

Yes, North Man, congratulations!
I just had a look at your blog, and it is really well written with a lot of nice pictures!

[ICanFixThat]

...
Remember often in the older catalogs older pictures were used to save production costs where it was not too important to have the latest picture.

Yes I know the problem of re-using old pictures on catalogs, but when Wenger adds a new invention as the "packlock" for the blade they are advertising on the new tool or the new invention, it is also well known.

Another indication : the first patent date known for the security on the screwdriver is from august 82 (if I don't make a mistake) and usually Wenger makes catalogs between february and april.
 
So, if both arguments are true, then this could be a catalog of 82

Yes my comment was related to the image of the Standard Issue, obviously they would have a picture of any new feature and we can agree that this catalog pre-dates the introduction of the Paclock for the screwdriver in the US.  Now we just have to find out when that was.

[ICanFixThat]

Great work People!, just did not have time to be here to much. I feel you all are very good. By the way, my new webpage http://www.sakhome.com

hope you like the Pictures!

Hello North Man,

Congratulation for your website http://www.sakhome.com !

Very good work around Wenger brand !

I don't speak Norvegian but with google translate it's easier to understand !!!

I made a little advertising post of your website on FCS (http://www.fans-du-couteau-suisse.com/t756-nouveau-site-de-northman-consacre-a-wenger#9027) for our french speaking readers.

 

Yes, North Man, congratulations!
I just had a look at your blog, and it is really well written with a lot of nice pictures!

Nice Northman, glad to see you have a website again. 

[ICanFixThat]

...
Remember often in the older catalogs older pictures were used to save production costs where it was not too important to have the latest picture.

Yes I know the problem of re-using old pictures on catalogs, but when Wenger adds a new invention as the "packlock" for the blade they are advertising on the new tool or the new invention, it is also well known.

Another indication : the first patent date known for the security on the screwdriver is from august 82 (if I don't make a mistake) and usually Wenger makes catalogs between february and april.
 
So, if both arguments are true, then this could be a catalog of 82

Yes my comment was related to the image of the Standard Issue, obviously they would have a picture of any new feature and we can agree that this catalog pre-dates the introduction of the Paclock for the screwdriver in the US.  Now we just have to find out when that was.

Also note we have the US print advertisement(s) from Precise in late 1983 that mention locking-main-blades, but nothing about the screwdriver and pictures show the old one.

[tosh]

Any love for Wenger??

lol - At this moment...none!!

TBH I'll be glad when its all over and done with, pretty sick now of spending good money each month on yet more Wenger's, simply because if I don't and decide later I'd like one I'll have to pay whatever the going rate will be. Providing of course its available. I've seriously had a real gutful these last few months.

Roll on 2014  back to normality

[North Man]

Great work People!, just did not have time to be here to much. I feel you all are very good. By the way, my new webpage http://www.sakhome.com

hope you like the Pictures!

Hello North Man,

Congratulation for your website http://www.sakhome.com !

Very good work around Wenger brand !

I don't speak Norvegian but with google translate it's easier to understand !!!

I made a little advertising post of your website on FCS (http://www.fans-du-couteau-suisse.com/t756-nouveau-site-de-northman-consacre-a-wenger#9027) for our french speaking readers.

 

Yes, North Man, congratulations!
I just had a look at your blog, and it is really well written with a lot of nice pictures!

Nice Northman, glad to see you have a website again. 

Thanks to everyone!

[sawman]

Any love for Wenger??

lol - At this moment...none!!

TBH I'll be glad when its all over and done with, pretty sick now of spending good money each month on yet more Wenger's, simply because if I don't and decide later I'd like one I'll have to pay whatever the going rate will be. Providing of course its available. I've seriously had a real gutful these last few months.

Roll on 2014  back to normality

The more I think about it... it feels an awful lot like extortion. I too have stocked up on certain Wengers because of their upcoming demise, and that ties up resources I could otherwise be putting into other hobbies/brands etc...

[tosh]

Any love for Wenger??

lol - At this moment...none!!

TBH I'll be glad when its all over and done with, pretty sick now of spending good money each month on yet more Wenger's, simply because if I don't and decide later I'd like one I'll have to pay whatever the going rate will be. Providing of course its available. I've seriously had a real gutful these last few months.

Roll on 2014  back to normality

The more I think about it... it feels an awful lot like extortion. I too have stocked up on certain Wengers because of their upcoming demise, and that ties up resources I could otherwise be putting into other hobbies/brands etc...

....and even bills too 

I have developed a seriously warped sense of value. Funnily enough it began with Wenger's announcement not but a year ago 

Very sly marketing tactics, wouldn't  you agree 

[sawman]

You bet. They know exactly what they're doing 

[tosh]

You bet. They know exactly what they're doing 

I'm sure they do.

But...... I think its cured me!!
Wenger is no more...gone!!!
Victorinox have basically kept the same lines running for what?? Must be going on close to a decade, if not longer 
Next year they will no doubt unveil new lines, and no doubt those new lines will run and run and run.... No need to buy, they'll be there next month, next year etc etc. Victorinox isn't going anywhere!!!
Basically what I'm saying is I think I'm more or less done!! None of this modern stuff actually appeals to me. Its all very much,  a much of a muchness as they say.

I think I will struggle to keep my enthusiasm up in 2014 (I'll certainly struggle to find anything worth buying that's for sure). Wenger's plight is what's hooked me for the past 12 months.

None of the big 4 seem that interested anymore, its all becoming rather stale or maybe I'm becoming rather bored of it. I can't decide.

[enki_ck]

Already sent this to Nikola and Carlo, but a fair amount of work so I'll also post it here. 

The Wenger SwissMemory series is a set of knives that feature pictures of Swiss scenery. The original group consisted of two lots, three Esquires and three Commanders, each with a shot of a distinct location. The second group consisted of another three Commanders, with the scenes each being a composite photo of four Swiss locations.

Esquire SwissMemory (photo 1)

SwissMemory 950   Bernese Oberland       1.95.00.950
SwissMemory 951   Matterhorn                1.95.00.951
SwissMemory 952   Thunersee                 1.95.00.952 (not shown)

Commander SwissMemory (group 1)(photo 2)

SwissMemory 900   Lake Geneva/Lac Leman          1.94.00.900
SwissMemory 901   Furclasee                              1.94.00901
SwissMemory 902   Santis                                   1.94.00.902

Commander SwissMemory (group 2)(photo 3)

SwissMemory 903   composite of Chillon castle, Geneva fountain, Matterhorn, Luzern bridge                 1.94.00.903

SwissMemory 904   composite of Chillon castle, Matterhorn, Geneva fountain, Bern clock tower  1.94.00.904

SwissMemory 905   composite of Rhine falls, Luzern bridge, alpine meadow, lake steamer            1.94.00.905

Running late as usual but here it finally is. If changes are necessary, let me know.

[jcfiguet]

@tosh and @sawman

I went to Delemont last month to visit the Wenger factory...

It was rather sad: in the store, they sell the last stocks of Wenger knives and in the factory, the blades are already stamped Victorinox, not Wenger, and some "pillars" like Mr. Peter Hug left the company.
Wenger Staff still does not understand the decision of Mr. Elserner junior to stop making Wenger knives. It seems that Mr. Elsener senior (died recently) did not want this strategy...

There is no clear communication regarding the future : no one can say if a part of the Wenger poduction will continue to be distributed under the Victorinox brand nor for how long.

So I'm not sure we will able to find Wenger knives in 2 or 3 years, when distributors stocks will be exhausted.

[tosh]

@tosh and @sawman

I went to Delemont last month to visit the Wenger factory...

It was rather sad: in the store, they sell the last stocks of Wenger knives and in the factory, the blades are already stamped Victorinox, not Wenger, and some "pillars" like Mr. Peter Hug left the company.
Wenger Staff still does not understand the decision of Mr. Elserner junior to stop making Wenger knives. It seems that Mr. Elsener senior (died recently) did not want this strategy...

There is no clear communication regarding the future : no one can say if a part of the Wenger poduction will continue to be distributed under the Victorinox brand nor for how long.

So I'm not sure we will able to find Wenger knives in 2 or 3 years, when distributors stocks will be exhausted.

Thanks for the reply J-C.
Yes, I bet it was very moving seeing wenger disappearing. To be perfectly honest, I'm actually stunned that I've allowed what is basically a knife maker to have made such an impact on my day to day thoughts. Its quite absurd that 2yrs ago I wouldn't have cared a monkeys - yet I'm actually touched by what's happening.

It makes me incredibly angry with regards to our eastern friends who seemingly flood the markets with counterfeit copies simply because they lack the intrinuity to create their own iconic first. And still be allowed to get away with it
It's simply betrayal that a global brand name can be allowed to disappear after surviving for almost 120yrs.

What a world we live in.