Vic vs. Wenger

[Lynn LeFey]

Having finally gotten my hands on a Wenger, I thought I'd post some thoughts. I'm pretty sure there's going to be nothing all that controversial or new here. The Wenger test knife is a Evo S17.

Cap lifter/flathead: I prefer the Wenger. The smaller head, and smaller width at its thinnest (in the curve of the cap lifter) means it's not as robust. However, I think it will still handle any force that wouldn't tear the knife apart. The more defined hook edge on the Wenger catches bottle caps better than the Vic. While both work well, the Wenger is a little better. I also like the way the Wenger driver locks when force is applied. As for wire stripping, I can't imagine using either for the task.

Can Opener: Man, I almost hate talking about it for fear of starting harsh, heated debate. I time-tested the Wenger on 2 15oz cans last night, with times of 21 and 22 seconds. It's faster for me than a Vic. I've discussed my preference for the hawk-bill shaped openers elsewhere. On the lighter (15oz) cans, the Wenger had no problems with folding. I COULD imagine it binding up and folding on #10 cans, but I haven't tested it. Outside of use as a can opener, the Wenger and Vic designs become totally different beasts. The Vic is a serviceable small driver, and reasonable replacement for a phillips. The Wenger's becomes a general purpose scrapey/pokey thing. Both have their uses. For opening cans, I prefer the Wenger, very slightly. As an overall tool, I prefer the Vic. This has to do with overlap of the use of the Awls on each.

Awl: Vic, all the way. Not even a contest. However, the can opener of the Wenger gains it some ground for reaming.

Main blade: The Wenger Evo S17 has a locking main blade, which could be a nice feature, although I've used slipjoint knives for decades and never really needed a locking blade. In shape and function, they're so close that I don't have a real preference. I will say that the unlocking tab on the Wenger makes getting the scissors open a real pain, as it blocks the nail nick in the scissors.

Small blade/nail file: I prefer the Wenger nail file to the Vic small blade. Having very slightly modded the file for use as a phillips, it gains a little ground on the Vic's can opener as a light duty phillips, but the vic can opener still wins that contest. However, I really have never needed a second blade, and a file is occasionally handy.

T&T: Toothpick and tweezers are functionally the same on both, in my opinion. I like the placement of the Wenger's better. They seem less likely to be lost. I have now lost a total of 2 Vic toothpics.

Scissors: While I've had a 91mm vic with scissors, it was old, and not a fair match to new Wengers. I have a new Climber on the way, and hope to do a side-by-side test. I prefer the Wenger spring system to the Vic. That's about all I can say at the moment.

Saw: The Evo series is 85mm, and I've found length of the saw is a major factor in how well they work (longer, and therefore fewer strokes to accomplish the task). I don't have a 91mm Vic with a saw, but I have a farmer, the Spirit X, and the Trekker. For their length, they all work great, Wenger and Vic alike. I AM a little surprised at how long the saw is in the Wenger compared to the Farmer. Shorter, but not by as much as I'd figure.

So, those are my thoughts on Wenger/Vic. Take this as an initial impression of a SAK mostly-noob.

[colt 1911]

I prefer the Wenger Scissors over the Vic's, better spring and if you look close they are serrated.

[Syph007]

Another small thing to note, that I really like about Wenger.  The liners and springs are flush on the back, so they are much smoother than a Vic.  I know it's a small thing, but I really like it.

[cbl51]

Owning both Vic's and Wengers, I find little to choose between over all. I love btw, and will continue to own both. I love my Wenger SI, and am nuts about my basic Vic recruit. It' like arguing over Ford vs Chevy.

[Lynn LeFey]

I forgot to mention the 90 degree detent on the vic cap lifter/flathead. A nice feature that's absent from the Wenger, but still not enough to tie it, IMO.

[ducttapetech]

FORD!!!!! LOL!

I like them both. SAKS that is.

Lynn, the Wenger's can opener seems to work on all cans pretty good.

[Jothra]

By and large, I agree with Lynn LeFey.

The Wenger velociraptor claw can opener is perfectly good at cans, and makes a reasonable reamer (since the awl itself is basically just a punch). Sometimes I use it for opening packages, too, when I think the full blade might cut into whatever's inside.

The Victorinox awl is a better reamer, but I have found myself using the Wenger awl as a small marlinspike. Personally, I have to undo more knots than I have to ream holes, so it's working out pretty well.

Mine's an Evo s18, so it also has a locking blade, which does make the scissors a bit harder to open. But then, I'll let you know if there's ever a frighteningly time-sensitive emergency in which I'm desperate for the scissors before the knife blade anyway.

I used to carry a Victorinox Ranger, and used the scissors and full-layer file for my nails all the time (otherwise I'm pretty sure I'd still be biting them). I like having the small file instead, since I rarely used the Ranger's on anything other than grooming. Besides, the tip of the small file can handle glasses screws, so I don't need the corkscrew for the mini-driver anymore.

I prefer how the Wenger toothpick and tweezers fit into the scales, but functionally they're too similar to worry about. I ground the tweezers to give them a point, and increased the angle of the tips to give them more closing force, but I've done the same mod on every pair of SAK tweezers I've ever owned.

Victorinox makes beefier scissors. They're a little longer and thicker. I've also only ever broken one leaf spring, and that was through years of brutal abuse. I had to order the new spring from out of town, so I spent a week learning that you can still use the scissors without the spring anyway. That said, the Wenger serrations handle tougher materials better, even with the thinner blades. Also, in a pinch, the Wengers make a serviceable fork. Don't ask me how I know this.

Because of the way the tip is shaped, the cutting edge of the 84mm Wenger saw is only a couple millimetres shorter than the 91mm Victorinox. Both are terrific saws.

Playing around last night, I discovered there's enough room to store a needle wrapped with thread under the Wenger scissors (I keep it under the hook on my Victorinoxes). I also used a lighter, some pliers, and a straight pin to add a straight pin hole behind the back-side screwdriver, so now my s18 can do everything my poor, lost Hunstman did. Well, except open wine bottles, but I can't remember the last time I did that anyway...

[kkokkolis]

After almost two decades with a Swisschamp I bought a Toolchest Plus just to try and see the Wenger tools. I was impressed with many features, like the locking blade, locking screwdrivers, pliers and scissors springs. But I never choose to EDC it, I didn't even carry it for a single day. Maybe I was accustomed to Victorinox and I simply wished Elsener to use the Wenger specific features on Vics. That doesn't seem to happen and perhaps we should be happy to have these two Swiss manufacturers alive and producing SAKs in order to be able to find what everybody likes to own and use.
On the other hand, appart from personal oppinions there is public opinion and that reflects sales. I believe that Victorinox managed to get a greater marketshare and that probably means that their products can reach people with a better way, whatwever that means. But I don't get it as Victorinox Vs Wenger. It is more like Victorinox & Wenger and I wouldn't mind a third Swiss manufacturer to bring fresh ideas. Who would not be satisfied with a Swiss "Leatherman" or "Spyderco" surprise?

[enki_ck]

The Wenger can opener works great as a clamshell packaging opener too.


While I love my Vics, and find a lot of the tools on them great, I most often end up with a Wenger in my pocket. I prefer a Wenger Traveler over the Victorinox Climber, a Wenger Forester (old version of the Evo17) over the Vic Huntsman, the Wenger SI to both the Soldier and Pioneer, ... The only Vics I frequently carry are the Cadet, Rambler and Executive.

[magentus]

While I prefer the Wenger SI over the Vic Soldier, and the locking large sd/cap lifter on the Wenger is truly brilliant, I like the Vics thicker blades, and their f&f is way better than Wengers IMO.

[Landrew]

.. It is more like Victorinox & Wenger and I wouldn't mind a third Swiss manufacturer to bring fresh ideas. Who would not be satisfied with a Swiss "Leatherman" or "Spyderco" surprise?

Victorinox is selling watches, so why doesn't Swatch sell knives?

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I've had my eye on an S14 (S15?) for a while now.  I can't remember the last time I used the small blade on a 91mm Vic, and having the nail file in it's place would be darn handy. 

I prefer the Vic can opener, I'm just more used to it, but the shape of the Wenger can opener lets it double very nicely as a gouge/scraper.  I don't open cans away from the kitchen much at all, so in some ways, I'd rather have the Wenger opener. 

I also like the idea of the locking main blade, and the locking bottle-opener/screw-driver.  The one on my PER 179 is a beast, and I wouldn't hesitate to use it as a pry-bar.

I also really like the way Wenger does their scissors... I wish there was some way to put a pair of them in a 91 mm Vic.  That would be sweet... a hybrid SAK with the best of the Vic and Wenger tools, in one package!   

[crackout]

For me, the only tool that's better on Wenger knives is the caplifter. It's so much better. There's absolutely no contest at all. Also, like Syph mentioned, the flush backsprings are far superior to the recessed Victorinox ones. Oh, and the position of the rough surface on the nailfile (facing away from the blade) is better on Wengers than on Vics.

But that's where it stops.

The Vic can opener can handle small screws, the scissors allow for much more precise and delicate work due to their thin blades without serrations and they don't move upon operation.

[kirk13]

Lynn,what about the biggie?

How did you get along with the Evo scales?

[Lynn LeFey]

I wouldn't count the Evo scales as plus or minus versus the plain vic scales. However, what I DID notice is that they are kind of ambidextrous. With main blade or can opener open, the countour is the same in either left or right hand. Using the tools opposite the main blade is the same in either hand as well. Whatever is gained in a slight grip advantage is lost due to thicker scales increasing the tool's overall width.

I think the Evogrip scales might be something altogether different in this department, where grip is GREATLY improved over plain cellidor scales. But that's just a guess on my part.

As this thing is probably going to reside in my purse, not go into the wilds of South America... I don't think the great added expense for the slight grip advantage is worth it to me to try the Evogrips. If one falls into my lap, then sure, I'll give it a try.

[North Man]

yes interesting,
today i feel the two Brands got the same quality and it is depending of what a person like and wants..