Wenger or Vic?

[HarleyXJGuy]

I am sure this has been asked before but which size regular SAK do you like the best?

91mm Victorinox or 85mm Wenger/Delemont?

I would put up a poll if I was not so clueless, but since I am please be clear which you like best and why. Will use some of the magic that is math and my brain to tabulate the outcome.

[Corwyn]

91 Vic. It just fits better in my hands. (putting aside the other Vic/Wenger differences)

You should also add Vic 84 and Vic 93 as they are close to those two and they have tons of fans...

[magentus]

Overall I prefer the 91mm Vic. That's two for Vic.

I like the innovations Wenger bring, but Vics have better F&F and are sturdier.

[Grass]

The Wenger, narrowly, because of the lock blade functionally. Prefer the feel and finish of the victorinox. If Victorinox could do a lock blade in the 91mm size I'd be fully in their court.

[AimlessWanderer]

Neither wins outright for me ...

Vic 91 wins on:
CT driver
Awl
Scissors (smooth cutting)
Scale Tools
Can opener working as a Phillips
Absence of locking blades

NOTE: Wenger lost a lot of business from me by totally ruining their knives with an unnecessary and uncomfortable lock. For the last few years, you have they have not offered a Wenger with an inline Phillips that does not have a locking blade. Deal breaker!

Wenger 85 wins on:
Pocketability
Retention of T&T (Now lost this advantage since the Vic takeover)
Locking drivers
Flush backsprings
Second blade (redundant) replaced with nail file
Nail file works as light duty Phillips
Scissors (strong spring and better on certain materials)

I own both. I carry both.

As an aside, I feel the Rambler/Manager beats any of Wenger's 65mm offerings, though I do like the Clipper and PTC. Wenger's 130mm range on the other hand walks all over the 111mm range, particularly OHO models, and models with pliers/shears.

[Etherealicer]

Victorinox 91 and 93
93 for their Alox scales, though little tools
91 for:
- CT driver, IMHO the best MT implement
- Scissors
- Though flat screw-driver

Some people seem to prefer Wenger pliers and scissors because they are sturdier. Me, I don't like them as much as both arms move when you are closing them, therefore loosing precision.

[ducttapetech]

I like both. But I wish Vic would make a 91mm with a locking blade and screwdriver/cap lifter.

Nate

[hiraethus]

91mm Vic.  Plus scales, better scissors, bigger main blade, handy pen blade (instead of the nail file), better can opener, more choice of back tools, non-locking blades and slimmer scales.  I wish Vic had the wrench/phillips layer in their knives though.

[Corwyn]

91 Vic. It just fits better in my hands. (putting aside the other Vic/Wenger differences)

You should also add Vic 84 and Vic 93 as they are close to those two and they have tons of fans...

Well if you go beyond size:

Victorinox:

• Nicer size
• Better fit and finish
• Nicer position of T&T
• Pen in scales
• Smooth scissors (cuts straight, no bounce, no silly-nilly serrations)
• Better, sharp awl

Wenger:

• Nicer blade shape (with extra belly)
• Nailfile replaces dumb tiny blade

[Luna Knife]

Victorinox gets the edge in my book just because of the stronger backsprings.

[SAK Guy]

Used to be a solid Vic guy but started collecting Wengers and now appreciate/carry both!

[cbl51]

I like both. But I wish Vic would make a 91mm with a locking blade and screwdriver/cap lifter.

Nate

This +100!

[HarleyXJGuy]

Great replies everyone but in the MTO tradition we for the most part did not answer the actual question.

Which size do you like the best, the slightly bigger Vic or the slightly smaller Wenger?

In retrospect after seeing all of your answers a more interesting question would have been which do you like best.

For me it is the smaller Wenger. Still has the tools but is just the right size for carry. Course I do dig the longer blade of the Vic line.

[hiraethus]

But there's too much difference between the Victorinox 91mm and Wenger 85mm knives to be able to answer that.  A fairer comparison might be between the 91mm and 84mm Victorinox knives, where you can compare identical tool setups in different sizes, eg Tinker vs Small Tinker or Spartan vs Tourist.  In which case, still the 91mm.  The longer blade is more useful and the smaller  knife doesn't feel like it takes up less room in my pocket.

[HarleyXJGuy]

But there's too much difference between the Victorinox 91mm and Wenger 85mm knives to be able to answer that.  A fairer comparison might be between the 91mm and 84mm Victorinox knives, where you can compare identical tool setups in different sizes, eg Tinker vs Small Tinker or Spartan vs Tourist.  In which case, still the 91mm.  The longer blade is more useful and the smaller  knife doesn't feel like it takes up less room in my pocket.

You have a point there about the different tools making it hard to compare.

Lets say you lived in a world where you could put whatever tools you want into either the 91 Vic or 84 Wenger, then which would you prefer?

[hiraethus]

Still the 91mm Vic - specifically a Climber but with plus scales and the wrench/phillips layer from a Wenger Nomad and a nail file on the hook.

[Caranthanus]

Piece of cake ... Both of them

Somehow in such a way:


 

 

[Etherealicer]

Great replies everyone but in the MTO tradition we for the most part did not answer the actual question.

Which size do you like the best, the slightly bigger Vic or the slightly smaller Wenger?

In retrospect after seeing all of your answers a more interesting question would have been which do you like best.

For me it is the smaller Wenger. Still has the tools but is just the right size for carry. Course I do dig the longer blade of the Vic line.

I think people base their decision rather on the tools than the size / length...

[kirk13]

Careful Harley,you'll wake Tosh up...especially mentioning Delemont in the same sentence as Wenger...then you'll find out what it's like to be on The List

Back on topic( mmmm Topic ), I prefer 91mm Vics,but my individual favourite SAKs are 85mm Wengers. Go figure

[Jothra]

From a Gentlemanly Carry perspective, I adore the Wenger/Delemont size.

[ColoSwiss]

For every day carry I prefer the 85mm Wengers. A Traveler is my EDC. The 85s ride better in my pocket.

[sawman]

Vic all the way for me. What you need is an Explorer 

[AimlessWanderer]

Favourite size for me would be the 84/85mm. I only stray from this size so I can carry the tools that aren't available on the smaller frame size. Most carried of the 84/85mm size for me is the Wenger Traveller


Wenger Traveller Variants:

• Swissbuck Sidekick
• Soft Touch 14
• Alinghi Souvenhir
• Classic 14 (Traveller)
• Partially Serrated Traveller
• Close Cousin - the Victorinox Climber Small
• Wood 03
• Evowood 14
• Brushed Stainless Traveller
• Metal 50

NOTE: Since this pic was taken I have also gained a blue celidor "Euro" version


For info, the brushed stainless Traveller is my current EDC knife and is affixed to my keys

[ColoSwiss]

Favourite size for me would be the 84/85mm. I only stray from this size so I can carry the tools that aren't available on the smaller frame size. Most carried of the 84/85mm size for me is the Wenger Traveller

(Image removed from quote.)
Wenger Traveller Variants:

• Swissbuck Sidekick
• Soft Touch 14
• Alinghi Souvenhir
• Classic 14 (Traveller)
• Partially Serrated Traveller
• Close Cousin - the Victorinox Climber Small
• Wood 03
• Evowood 14
• Brushed Stainless Traveller
• Metal 50

NOTE: Since this pic was taken I have also gained a blue celidor "Euro" version


For info, the brushed stainless Traveller is my current EDC knife and is affixed to my keys

Nice selection! 

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks Karl 

[HarleyXJGuy]

I think people base their decision rather on the tools than the size / length...

You sure? 

Vic all the way for me. What you need is an Explorer 

Me? My very first SAK was an Explorer, I likes.

[eddie1115]

I do like the 84/85mm form factor better in my pocket.  But I love the toolset on my Super Tinker.  I just ordered a Wenger Evo 16.  We'll see how I get along with the scissors, because otherwise, it seems like a good alternative.

[HarleyXJGuy]

I do like the 84/85mm form factor better in my pocket.  But I love the toolset on my Super Tinker.  I just ordered a Wenger Evo 16.  We'll see how I get along with the scissors, because otherwise, it seems like a good alternative.

I along with almost everyone else picks there SAK based on tools not size but I too like the Wenger smaller size form factor also.

Having used both scissors for a while now I honestly don't like on eover the other. The way the Wenger scissor move while you use them is more annoying when you are messing around looking at them then when actually using them for me.

[Rich S]

The size difference betwee Vic and Wenger doesn't bother me. Both work and fit well in my hand. I like the scissors and pliers of the Wengers and it's can opener. DON'T like those %@$#& Evo handles that Vic is putting on the Wenger models - they are just uncomfortable to even hold.
Rich

[Jothra]

To be fair, Wenger was super into the Evolution line. It was basically their trademark thing.