Comparing the Delémont Collection, Old Wenger, and Victorinox tools

[Jothra]

I finally got my grubby hands on a Victorinox Delémont Evowood s14. I've frequently carried an old Wenger Evowood s18, and wanted to compare the implements of these two tools not only to each other's, but to Victorinox's standard equivalents as well.

Top: Victorinox s14. Bottom: Wenger s18. I promise they're the same length; the apparent difference is a direct function of my poopydoop photographicalization.

We'll start with the scales, and the tool sizes. As you can see in the below picture of a Victorinox Climber and the s14, it doesn't matter that the s14 is several millimetres shorter (85mm instead of 91) -- the tool layers and liners are all exactly the same width. The only implement that is thinner on the s14 (and my older s18) is the main blade, which is more or less universal when it comes to Wengers. Also, like all Evo-style knives, the s14 has slightly thicker scales than the Victorinox.

Left: Climber. Incidentally, that is my favourite Victorinox model name ever. So cool!

The s14 and Climber, of course, do not have a saw, but the s18's saw layer is the same width as a Huntsman's.

The first noticeable difference between the older Wenger Evo and newer Victorinox Evo knives is the scales. Instead of wrapping around a smaller liner as the Wenger, the Victorinox is flush with a kidney bean shaped liner.

Left: old s18, playing like it's 1990s Will Smith. Right: s14 with kidneys in.

From a hard use perspective, the newer liner and scale setup is a much better design. People who have followed any of my terrifying month-long reviews know that a multitool that can survive use as a chisel tends to earn a place close to my heart. The wrap-around scales don't have the same level of reinforcement as the flush-with-liners, Victorinox-style scales, and are therefore less likely to survive that kind of treatment. I don't have pictures, and have lost the knife, so I can't show you the poor, broken Wenger s13 scales that proved this to be true. Sorry. Anyway, I'm a big fan of the Evowood scales, which both look good and fit my giant-palmed hands quite comfortably.

It drives me crazy when people say something like "I seen Ted yesterday" it should be...

...The saw on my Wenger s18 appears to be exactly one tooth shorter than its Victorinox Huntsman equivalent. I know my new s14 doesn't have a saw, but I doubt Victorinox changed the saw blade when they switched the Wengers over. These saws are both absolutely phenomenal. I prefer them to most of the other MT saws I have tried, including the Wave's and the Rebar's.

Also, just in case anyone's doing a survey, that's Vicky posing for the photo. Vicky's a trooper.

Victorinox s14 and Climber scissors, scissoring scissoringly.

Victorinox has kept the Wenger-style scissors in the Delémont collection, and I'm okay with this. Granted, the Victorinox-style scissors are a bit more comfortable for hard use, but the Wenger-style ones keep up just fine. The serrations may not be your bag, but that's more about personal preference than actual function.

Climber, Driver, Victorinox s14, Wenger s18

The Wenger-style (Velociraptor-claw) can opener, far right, is an excellent clamshell opener as well as doing what its name implies. The new Delémont one is the same as the smaller one found on previous Victorinox knives the the Recruit and Driver, and makes an excellent slot and Phillips screwdriver. If I have the old Wenger opener, I prefer to have the Phillips screwdriver instead of the can opener. If I have the Victorinox-style opener, I prefer to have the corkscrew on the back. Your mileage may vary on this one. Either way, they are good at opening cans.

The most magical tool of all! Driver, Climber, s14.

Anyone who has followed any of my long-term reviews probably already knows that the bottle opener / large screwdriver / prybar is my favourite Swiss Army Knife tool. You can do disgusting things with one of these. Victorinox has kept the Wenger self-locker in the Delémont line. It's smaller than the 91 or 83 mm Victorinox versions, but just as thick, and has just as much tool below the pivot when it's open to keep it from snapping off under force. What kind of force? Well, I won't get in to too much detail here, but take my word for it that these things are nigh indestructable. The one thing that the Wenger-style self-locking screwdriver may not do well is hammer-and-chisel duty, since it's built to push down into the liner when you push on the driver tip. This isn't much of a complaint, because we are talking about the kind of use that voids warranties. I may have to dig out a cheap old Wenger to test on a bit. As is, I really enjoy my self-locking driver.

Knifey stabby pokey bladey-wadey time!

Finally, the knifey bit! Victorinox has changed the tang shape a bit, but the cutting edge on the Delémont line is identical to its original Wengerly shape. It's still thinner than the 91 or 83 mm Victorinox blades, but unless you're some kind of pries-with-the-blade monster (even I wouldn't do that one) that shouldn't cause any problems. I have batoned with a Wenger (which eliminates any smugness I had from not prying with the blade). They are easy to sharpen, and hold an edge as well as their Victorinox-style counterparts. The greatest thing about the s14, s18, and other "s" models is the locking blade, which I really enjoy. It is a nice, solid lock, and any situation in which I managed to somehow break the lock during use is a situation in which I probably deserve what I'm about to get.

The fit and finish on the s14 is easily as good as the fit and finish on my old s18, which is to say excellent. The springs are nice and snappy, and everything sits probably in the tool. Whew!

The takeaway: I have a bit of a soft spot for old Wenger Evo knives, but there are enough positive changes in the Victorinox Delémont version to keep it in my pocket. Well done, Victorinox!




p.s. - I forgot to take pictures of the file,  awl, and corkscrew!

The Delémont collection keeps the Wenger file. This is great if, like me, you rely on your Swiss Army scissors to keep yourself from biting your nails. The file makes it easy to smooth out the edge once you've cut your nails with the serrated scissors.

The Victorinox Evowood s14's corkscrew looks more like a standard Victorinox corkscrew than a Wenger one. I don't know if there's a functional difference, but there it is.

The Wenger straight-and-smooth punch has been replaced with the standard 91mm Victorinox reamer/awl. While the old Wenger punch was an excellent miscellaneous poking tool, the Victorinox one is a substantially more aggressive awl. I like the old Wenger version just fine, but this was probably a good change.

[Nhoj]

Great review! I think the addition of the victorinox reamer is a good change. I don't like how they kept the evo scales the same thickness and then made them even thicker by putting them on top of the liner. I wish wenger was still around, but victorinox seems to be doing just fine. As long as they keep the flush backsprings, I hate how the liners stick out on the back of a 91mm.

[Jothra]

Great review! I think the addition of the victorinox reamer is a good change. I don't like how they kept the evo scales the same thickness and then made them even thicker by putting them on top of the liner. I wish wenger was still around, but victorinox seems to be doing just fine. As long as they keep the flush backsprings, I hate how the liners stick out on the back of a 91mm.

Yeah, I'm a fan of the reamer change. Both are capable of punching and reaming holes on metal construction zone signs, but the Victorinox version is much faster.

As for the scales, short of dumping the Evo ones (which I adore) altogether, I'm not sure how much thinner they could go and still fit the Victorinox tweezers and toothpick. The Evowoods could potentially go thinner, because they have no toothpick or tweezers to worry about. Either way, I'm absolutely in favour of the new scale mounting, which really helps strengthen the scale edges.

I agree with you 100% on the flush backsprings. Wenger-style backsprings are super pretty.

[HarleyXJGuy]

You guys are killing it with the reviews today, another well done comparo.

Good timing too because I was wondering if they kept the smaller size on the Delemont collection or if they were just renamed Vics. I am a fan of the smaller Wenger size SAKs.

The real question is which can opener is best. Mini screw driver Vic or package opening claw hook Wenger.

Wenger liner flush is the clear winner here for me.

[Jothra]

I like having the corkscrew (more versatile than one might think), so I'm pretty happy to have the small driver on the can opener so I can do without the backside Phillips.

[HarleyXJGuy]

I like having the corkscrew (more versatile than one might think), so I'm pretty happy to have the small driver on the can opener so I can do without the backside Phillips.

Still have not found a use for the CS. I have been trying.

[PTRSAK]

HarleyXJGuy,  I swear you are just being deliberately provocative.

"Which can opener is best?"... "I can't think of any uses for the corkscrew."... all you need to do is ask "What's the hook for?" and you will have revived three of the most contentious issues in SAKdom.


smurfstirrer 

[Jothra]

I'm too lazy to gather together links to all the photo evidence I've posted of corkscrew use.

[HarleyXJGuy]

HarleyXJGuy,  I swear you are just being deliberately provocative.

"Which can opener is best?"... "I can't think of any uses for the corkscrew."... all you need to do is ask "What's the hook for?" and you will have revived three of the most contentious issues in SAKdom.


smurfstirrer 

Who me? 

I was wondering if Alox or Cellidor is best now that you mention it.

[Jothra]

I was wondering if Alox or Cellidor is best now that you mention it.

The answer is, of course, yes.

[Etherealicer]

Thanks for that review. I was wondering how the three compare and here you are

[firiki]

I'm too lazy to gather together links to all the photo evidence I've posted of corkscrew use.

If I'm not mistaken, you've documented many uses for the hook also.

Another great write-up. Thank you, sir

[Humppa]

Thanks for the great review on comparing. It was very informative and very well written!   

Now I need to get one of the Delemont collection soon... 

[HarleyXJGuy]

I'm too lazy to gather together links to all the photo evidence I've posted of corkscrew use.

If I'm not mistaken, you've documented many uses for the hook also.

Another great write-up. Thank you, sir

He did but I was saying in my travels I have yet to use my CS. Well that and starting some smurf cause that is what I do.

[toolguy]

Very thorough review.

Thanks Jothra.

[magentus]

Thanks for the excellent review.

I'm glad the Wenger will live on in some capacity. There were some very good advantages like the locking driver and the sprung scissors.

I've just received my first non SI Wenger in a trade with Lowtech so as soon as I've finished work I will investigate it.

[haulinthedollaghan]

Victorinox is keeping Wenger alive , I think that's fantastic

[Dragon Lord]

Thanks for this good review. I like the wenger can opener looks, but it's really useful that mini screwdriver. Well I guess I need to buy a evo-Vic and also a 130mm just because

[HarleyXJGuy]

Not sure if it has been covered but I really like the Wenger nail file/cleaner they put in the small blade spot.

Glad they did not get rid of that on the Delemonts.

[firiki]

I'm too lazy to gather together links to all the photo evidence I've posted of corkscrew use.

If I'm not mistaken, you've documented many uses for the hook also.

Another great write-up. Thank you, sir

He did but I was saying in my travels I have yet to use my CS. Well that and starting some smurf cause that is what I do.

You do that well, you know. Keep being you, man

The last time I used the corkscrew as such was precisely 371 days back. It was used to open a couple of trappist beers and it developped a slight jiggle in the process. I use the CS mostly for undoing knots and for prying battery cells out of their sockets.

[Caranthanus]

 

[Mr. Whippy]

I really enjoyed this comparo.

Great report.

[AimlessWanderer]

Nice overview as always, Jothra 

I have yet to try one of the new Delemont flavoured ones. I keep eyeing up the various 14's and wondering if I should add one/some to my Traveller ensemble. Somehow they aren't quite luring me in though. Not sure if it's cost, or the subtle differences, but this hybrid between the Traveller and Climber Small hasn't quite won me over yet.

As to your comments on the Phillips/Can opener/Corkscrew decisions, personally I have found that cheating is a far simpler solution  I pretty much always have some form of pliers tool with me, so as long as that has a Phillips on it, I'm all set 

[JAfromMn]

Great Review Man.

You got me the I should try a new wenger/vic

[eddie1115]

Yep, this thread got me too (along with Harley's thread).  I just ordered a new Wenger Evo 16.  And I'll probably get the Vic Delemont version next month.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Yep, this thread got me too (along with Harley's thread).  I just ordered a new Wenger Evo 16.  And I'll probably get the Vic Delemont version next month.

Mwuhahaha!

[magentus]

Yep, this thread got me too (along with Harley's thread).  I just ordered a new Wenger Evo 16.  And I'll probably get the Vic Delemont version next month.

Mwuhahaha!

You're like a puppet master controlling things from afar. Remember that with great power comes great responsibility Spidey. Use it for good - make him buy a Wenger and a Vic AND a Delemont. Or two of each and send the others to you.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Yep, this thread got me too (along with Harley's thread).  I just ordered a new Wenger Evo 16.  And I'll probably get the Vic Delemont version next month.

Mwuhahaha!

You're like a puppet master controlling things from afar. Remember that with great power comes great responsibility Spidey. Use it for good - make him buy a Wenger and a Vic AND a Delemont. Or two of each and send the others to you.

Not sure if that counts as using my powers for good. I like the idea though.