Does anyone know what's happening with Wenger?

[tosh]

Basically as the title says.

Several months ago we heard the news that Wenger would cease production of its swiss army knives.
Obviously this sent panic buying throughout the forum - me included  .
Does anyone have an update on what the latest developments are.

[Syph007]

I was buying more wenger knives too, and I was starting to wonder if it was a rumor to boost sales!    I tracked down all the rangers I was after though.

[marduk]

As I mentioned in another thread, Victorinox's North America web site is up but shows only its home page. No products are listed or shown. This site is located in upstate New York. Wenger's Swiss  site, on the other hand, is still up and running and advertising its usual number of products.

[ICanFixThat]

As per the original announcement; Wenger is expected to maintain production until at least the end of this year.  Announced in the Wenger Love thread they are planning a nice commemorative set to honor their history in Swiss Army Knives.  It looks like this is still a bit unofficial, but expect it in November if there are no changes.

I've been buying more Wenger, but I was already doing that for a couple years.  I was not going to really step up purchases, but their closing means they have started to liguidate some older models and some of these have been appearing on ebay, and no doubt other places.  I picked up a few good deals at on-line shops.

[RamoN]

A while ago i contacted heinnie about the wenger ranger 90 when i was looking for one and they said the uk distributor discontinued importing of that model. I thought they were already stoping production of some models, but now i dont know 

[asmitty]

I emailed Wenger North America about two weeks ago with this very question and recieved a response that production of Wenger branded knives would continue for about two more months.  After that, production in Delemont would convert over to Victorinox branded knives.  I know they intend to keep some of the Wenger models alive but re-branded as Victorinox.  I'd just like to know which ones.

[comis]

I guess what I'd like to know is which Wenger model will no longer produce and which will be rebranded.  I don't know whether this decision will be more likely to be based on similarity between the products or popularity of the product.

And yes, I might be a little late in the game, but definitely been buying a lot more Wenger lately.

[asmitty]

I guess what I'd like to know is which Wenger model will no longer produce and which will be rebranded.  I don't know whether this decision will be more likely to be based on similarity between the products or popularity of the product.

And yes, I might be a little late in the game, but definitely been buying a lot more Wenger lately.

My guess would be that the Wenger products that will be re-branded are the unique products that have no Victorinox equivalent.  For example, the Rangers are, IMO, sufficiently unique from the Vic 111mm models that they should stay in production (but I don't make that decision).  Vic also doesn't have anything that competes directly with the Evogrip models, so I hope they stay as well. 

One question I have, will the brand merger mean that Vic and Wenger will incorporate "technologies?"  For example, will one standard scissor/plier spring style be incorporated across the whole line?  Will all knives use a single style of can opener?  Will all awls either be sharpened or unsharpened?  Will all bottle openers come with the pressure lock in the future?  Will this merging of product lines create more uniformity or will these differences remain on the market.  I think we would lose a lot of SAK innovations if they merged the product line too much.

[Syph007]

I would be surprised if they keep the 85mm size, although sad.  Its too similar to the iconic 91mm Vic size IMO.  I REALLY hope they keep the big rangers for sure, I love them.  I cant see them keeping the 65mm size either.

Hmm.. so I guess, my guess is that hey only keep the 130mm size.

[nervium]

Hmm.. so I guess, my guess is that hey only keep the 130mm size.

i agree, special series like mike horn or alinghi will continue.

[tosh]

We're basically all speculating.
And like many of you, since first hearing wengers announcement, I too have been buying various bits.
However, the more I get, the more I realize there is still to get 
Since acquiring the Giant, I've all but left the 85's alone. But the Rangergrips........how many!!!!
It seems to me that particular line just keeps growing and growing - each time I check, there seems to be yet another model released. The toolset basically stays the same give or take a Philips or corkscrew  . its just the scales they keep swapping and changing. Without counting, my guess is there must be at least 12 different scales. As much as I'd like them all, I think I'll have to draw the line.

[comis]

I would be surprised if they keep the 85mm size, although sad.  Its too similar to the iconic 91mm Vic size IMO.  I REALLY hope they keep the big rangers for sure, I love them.  I cant see them keeping the 65mm size either.

Hmm.. so I guess, my guess is that hey only keep the 130mm size.

But the interesting thing is the little press button for RangerGrip--supposedly everything will be produced under the name of Victorinox, does it mean the button will no longer be squarish but sheild-ish?  That would be a new twist and probably will mean to buy even more RangerGrip with the new shield...

Indeed, It will be sad to see the 85mm Wengers go, I often think the lockable Evo is great starting point for the young to be introduced to SAK.

[enki_ck]

I would be surprised if they keep the 85mm size, although sad.  Its too similar to the iconic 91mm Vic size IMO.  I REALLY hope they keep the big rangers for sure, I love them.  I cant see them keeping the 65mm size either.

Hmm.. so I guess, my guess is that hey only keep the 130mm size.

I don't find them all that similar. I actually prefer most 85mm models for their size over the 91mm counterparts. For instance I love carrying a Wenger Traveler and do it often but the Vic Climber very rarely sees pocket time.

[frugalscotty]

It seems that everyone is thinking only the Wenger lines will be affected. I think it is entirely possible that the 84mm Vics could be scratched and several of the more pocket friendly Wenger 85mm models (rebranded as Victorinox) left in production to fill the void.

[NG VI]

It seems that everyone is thinking only the Wenger lines will be affected. I think it is entirely possible that the 84mm Vics could be scratched and several of the more pocket friendly Wenger 85mm models (rebranded as Victorinox) left in production to fill the void.

I would be horrified at that.  84mm Vics are my favorite.

[Gareth]

It seems that everyone is thinking only the Wenger lines will be affected. I think it is entirely possible that the 84mm Vics could be scratched and several of the more pocket friendly Wenger 85mm models (rebranded as Victorinox) left in production to fill the void.

You read my mind.   Honestly, Vic hasn't put any effort into the 84mm range in years so I would be surprised to see it being picked over the Wenger 85mm.  IF there is any choosing to be done, of course. 

Now I do like the Vic 84mm stuff (a Waiter was the first SAK I bought myself) but if I had to pick one or the other I'd keep the Wenger 85mm.

[Syph007]

It seems that everyone is thinking only the Wenger lines will be affected. I think it is entirely possible that the 84mm Vics could be scratched and several of the more pocket friendly Wenger 85mm models (rebranded as Victorinox) left in production to fill the void.

I would be horrified at that.  84mm Vics are my favorite.

Also no way would Victorinox have a wenger line eclipse a Vic line.  There were once competitors, so I just cant see that happening.  Im really curious to know what will happen though.

[Syph007]

I would be surprised if they keep the 85mm size, although sad.  Its too similar to the iconic 91mm Vic size IMO.  I REALLY hope they keep the big rangers for sure, I love them.  I cant see them keeping the 65mm size either.

Hmm.. so I guess, my guess is that hey only keep the 130mm size.

I don't find them all that similar. I actually prefer most 85mm models for their size over the 91mm counterparts. For instance I love carrying a Wenger Traveler and do it often but the Vic Climber very rarely sees pocket time.

Similar size and tools though.  They both have.

blade layer
saw
metal saw
scissors
pliers
opener layer

If you put it all on paper, it looks like redundancy as the size is so similar.

[comis]

I

It seems that everyone is thinking only the Wenger lines will be affected. I think it is entirely possible that the 84mm Vics could be scratched and several of the more pocket friendly Wenger 85mm models (rebranded as Victorinox) left in production to fill the void.

You read my mind.   Honestly, Vic hasn't put any effort into the 84mm range in years so I would be surprised to see it being picked over the Wenger 85mm.  IF there is any choosing to be done, of course. 

Now I do like the Vic 84mm stuff (a Waiter was the first SAK I bought myself) but if I had to pick one or the other I'd keep the Wenger 85mm.

Yes, Vic probably didn't do much with their 84mm in recent years, so it is very likely that decision to keep 84mm might be independent of Wenger 85mm.  If I were Victorinox, I think I would consider Wenger 85mm a more direct competitor to the Vic 91mm line.

So as sad as it may sound, if closing lines is a necessity and what Syph007 said about Wenger line not eclipsing Vic line, my guess will be either Vic 84mm or Wenger 85mm (regular, Non-Evo and Non-S) might have to go first, or worst case scenario, both.

More I read this thread, more I felt it will break my bank...

[rberlin]

I'll be sad to see the 65s go if it comes to that.  The 58s are just a bit too dinky for me, 74s too big for the keychain.

Really though, the Wenger plant has more than just four walls and a bunch of people. If they're really not going to start laying people off, I don't see why they would scrap all those expensive 65 and 85 mm dies and presses they just bought. Unless Victorinox branded SAKs are in way more demand than I realized, I don't see how Victorinox could afford to move half their production to Delmont and operate both plants at full capacity.

I really hope they keep SwissGear.  They make nice backpacks and luggage much cheaper than Victorinox... I think I just figured out why they won't keep them.  Oh well, they do look a bit tacky anyway.

[enki_ck]

Looks like they are keeping the 85mm line after all.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,46501

[Gareth]

I'll be sad to see the 65s go if it comes to that.  The 58s are just a bit too dinky for me, 74s too big for the keychain.

Really though, the Wenger plant has more than just four walls and a bunch of people. If they're really not going to start laying people off, I don't see why they would scrap all those expensive 65 and 85 mm dies and presses they just bought. Unless Victorinox branded SAKs are in way more demand than I realized, I don't see how Victorinox could afford to move half their production to Delmont and operate both plants at full capacity.

I really hope they keep SwissGear.  They make nice backpacks and luggage much cheaper than Victorinox... I think I just figured out why they won't keep them.  Oh well, they do look a bit tacky anyway.

Personally I don't think the SwissGear line is in any danger, it's just too popular and widespread.  Victorinox have always struck me as a very practical company who aren't likely to drop a range that is going to be making them money.

[ICanFixThat]

Looks like they are keeping the 85mm line after all.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,46501

Or is that Evo scales for the 91mm line?

[victor7000]

Looks like they are keeping the 85mm line after all.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,46501

Or is that Evo scales for the 91mm line?

Good question 

[Syph007]

Looks like they are keeping the 85mm line after all.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,46501

Or is that Evo scales for the 91mm line?

Good question 

Ya the SAK outline around it is a Vic, not a Wenger.

[NG VI]

91mm Evo scales are the one and only reason Victorinox bought Wenger.

[nate j]

91mm Evo scales are the one and only reason Victorinox bought Wenger.

I think the main reason Victorinox bought Wenger was to prevent it from becoming like Schrade, Camillus, etc., i.e. a once quality and respected brand now being stamped on Chinese-made junk.

In any event, I hope they keep the classic scales, whatever they do the Evos.  I know the Evo scales have their fans, but I certainly am not one.

[asmitty]

91mm Evo scales are the one and only reason Victorinox bought Wenger.

I think the main reason Victorinox bought Wenger was to prevent it from becoming like Schrade, Camillus, etc., i.e. a once quality and respected brand now being stamped on Chinese-made junk.

In any event, I hope they keep the classic scales, whatever they do the Evos.  I know the Evo scales have their fans, but I certainly am not one.

I can't see any danger of the classic scales going away anytime soon.  Personally, I see Victorinox taking an opportunity to increase their product offerings rather than change them.  Based on all of the information I've seen, Victorinox is virtually doubling their production capacity with this change.  I firmly believe that the factory in Ibach will continue to make the classic models we all know and love while the Delemont location will be the production facility for the highly anticipated and hotly debated new models.