Victorinox Evolution Series: Thoughts?

[sergemaster]

Amici,
Since the merger of Wenger with Victorinox which spared the Swiss based company from possibly falling into foreign hands, I'm vacillating about picking up a Victorinox Evolution S557 as an Old Saint Nick gift for yours truly. Before I do, I wanted to hear from some forum members that currently have the Vic/Wenger hybrid and see what the scuttlebutt was about their quality, as well as performance.

I have read that once Victorinox took over production of the 85 mm series, that they addressed allot of what bugged folks about Wenger in general. For example, some folks hated their tweezers and toothpick rig. Others the scissors, and who could forget about that awl abomination.

Personally, I always had a soft spot for Wenger, and used them quite regularly for my EDC purposes warts and all. Mostly as to avoid being just a another cog in the Victorinox machine, superior product or not..

So what's the word, how do the Evolutions fare? Also, are the scales now removable, or are they still a no go.

Here's my old "Genuine" Wenger Evo for your viewing pleasure..  Quite a few years old now, but still going strong!

Cheers,
Serge

[G-Dizzle]

I have the S18 and I love it, just wish it was 91mm. My opinion in short is that they took the best pieces of each company and combined them into one tool.

[Ron Who]

I love my S17. I also have an Evo17, but I prefer the old scales (and scissors too).

[jalind]

Amici,
Since the merger of Wenger with Victorinox which spared the Swiss based company from possibly falling into foreign hands, I'm vacillating about picking up a Victorinox Evolution S557 as an Old Saint Nick gift for yours truly. Before I do, I wanted to hear from some forum members that currently have the Vic/Wenger hybrid and see what the scuttlebutt was about their quality, as well as performance.

I have read that once Victorinox took over production of the 85 mm series, that they addressed allot of what bugged folks about Wenger in general. For example, some folks hated their tweezers and toothpick rig. Others the scissors, and who could forget about that awl abomination.

Personally, I always had a soft spot for Wenger, and used them quite regularly for my EDC purposes warts and all. Mostly as to avoid being just a another cog in the Victorinox machine, superior product or not..

So what's the word, how do the Evolutions fare? Also, are the scales now removable, or are they still a no go.

Here's my old "Genuine" Wenger Evo for your viewing pleasure..  Quite a few years old now, but still going strong!

Cheers,
Serge

Victorinox replaced the following with Victorinox tools:

• Toothpick
• Tweezers
• Can Opener
• Awl

The other tools remain the same, and the large blade locking mechanism on the "S" models is the same. The in-line Phillips and cap lifter flat-tip lock when fully opened and pressed against a screw head as before. One change not readily visible or obvious unless you compare the Wenger version of an Evo to the Victorinox is a redesign of the outer liners. Wenger used the same frame for the Evolution and EvoGrip models as they did for the same knife with traditional scales. The only difference between them was the scales. An example is the Classic 16 and Evo 16. The kidney shaped scales wrapped around the edges of the oval shaped frame (their traditional scales also wrapped around the outer liner edge). This is logical for manufacturing simplicity as Wenger could make the same frame and use it for a traditional or Evo. Not so any more. The former Wenger with traditional scales ceased production and there was no reason to continue this. The Victorinox Evo outer liners are the same kidney shape as the scales, and the edge of the liner can be seen around the edge of the scales, the same as with their 84mm and 91mm traditional knives.

Regarding scales removal, as I understand it they use the same general concept as the Victorinox 84mm and 91mm with rivet heads as attachment points. Note that Victorinox scales suffer degradation of their attachment points when removed. The same has always applied to Wenger scales. They can be put back on, but may not be as secure as when they were installed the first time, and repeated removal will result in the scales popping off under stress (either with hard use or if dropped). I've not seen Victorinox replacement Evo scales, either factory replacement or aftermarket. Wenger Evo scales and Victorinox Evo scales are not interchangeable and they cannot be modified to fit, a consequence of the outer liner redesign on them circa 2013 when they were converted to the Vic tools listed above.

I have a Victorinox EvoGrip S557, one of several Victorinox Evolution and EvoGrip, and have been extremely pleased with it. The one complaint I've heard with the locking blade "S" models is getting to the nail nick on the scissors around the lever used to unlock the large blade. I've not had the difficulty with this that others apparently have had as I can get my thumbnail into the nail nick around the lever. There are others that prefer the Victorinox scissors, in spite of the thin leaf spring.

John

[ThePeacent]

I can only contribute to this thread in saying the my favorite SAK above all is my S557,



all I need, nothing I don't. The perfect carry-alone swiss army knife for me





and that the only complaint I have about it (and my other S Wengers) is that the locking button does indeed interfere with getting to the nail nick,



 but that's really the only drawback I've found to this awesome, out-of-the-park SAKs,

[metasyntax]

They're winners. The S52 is one of my favorite SAKs. The Victorinox version, aside from having the superior can opener (IMHO) also fits the tiny eyeglass screwdriver. My Wenger S52 doesn't. However, this might have more to do with inconsistencies in the corkscrew shape, as some of my Wengers fit the eyeglass screwdriver, and some don't.

[Barry Rowland]

I don't have any of the Vics, but I absolutely love my Wenger Evo's!!  I wish I had been quicker to the draw when they were still available in stores.  I like the 85mm size for how nice it carries and those scales are art in themselves.  Peacent, I love yours and hope to add one to my stable someday soon!   

[Brock O Lee]

I have an Evolution S16, and I carry it quite often the last few months. Like someone said, it's (mostly) a collection of the best design features of both companies.

I still prefer the alox models for their bomb-proof-ness, but I think the Evolution line is a step forward for Victorinox.

[Padre]

I love the flat blade those are fantastic better slicer than on 84mm, but the Wenger can opener is faster and better. EvoGrips are so comfortable and different. I have no information on the blade lock strenght on S models.

[jaya_man]

Amici,
Since the merger of Wenger with Victorinox which spared the Swiss based company from possibly falling into foreign hands, I'm vacillating about picking up a Victorinox Evolution S557 as an Old Saint Nick gift for yours truly. Before I do, I wanted to hear from some forum members that currently have the Vic/Wenger hybrid and see what the scuttlebutt was about their quality, as well as performance.

I have read that once Victorinox took over production of the 85 mm series, that they addressed allot of what bugged folks about Wenger in general. For example, some folks hated their tweezers and toothpick rig. Others the scissors, and who could forget about that awl abomination.

Personally, I always had a soft spot for Wenger, and used them quite regularly for my EDC purposes warts and all. Mostly as to avoid being just a another cog in the Victorinox machine, superior product or not..

So what's the word, how do the Evolutions fare? Also, are the scales now removable, or are they still a no go.

Here's my old "Genuine" Wenger Evo for your viewing pleasure..  Quite a few years old now, but still going strong!

Cheers,
Serge

Victorinox replaced the following with Victorinox tools:

• Toothpick
• Tweezers
• Can Opener
• Awl

The other tools remain the same, and the large blade locking mechanism on the "S" models is the same. The in-line Phillips and cap lifter flat-tip lock when fully opened and pressed against a screw head as before. One change not readily visible or obvious unless you compare the Wenger version of an Evo to the Victorinox is a redesign of the outer liners. Wenger used the same frame for the Evolution and EvoGrip models as they did for the same knife with traditional scales. The only difference between them was the scales. An example is the Classic 16 and Evo 16. The kidney shaped scales wrapped around the edges of the oval shaped frame (their traditional scales also wrapped around the outer liner edge). This is logical for manufacturing simplicity as Wenger could make the same frame and use it for a traditional or Evo. Not so any more. The former Wenger with traditional scales ceased production and there was no reason to continue this. The Victorinox Evo outer liners are the same kidney shape as the scales, and the edge of the liner can be seen around the edge of the scales, the same as with their 84mm and 91mm traditional knives.

Regarding scales removal, as I understand it they use the same general concept as the Victorinox 84mm and 91mm with rivet heads as attachment points. Note that Victorinox scales suffer degradation of their attachment points when removed. The same has always applied to Wenger scales. They can be put back on, but may not be as secure as when they were installed the first time, and repeated removal will result in the scales popping off under stress (either with hard use or if dropped). I've not seen Victorinox replacement Evo scales, either factory replacement or aftermarket. Wenger Evo scales and Victorinox Evo scales are not interchangeable and they cannot be modified to fit, a consequence of the outer liner redesign on them circa 2013 when they were converted to the Vic tools listed above.

I have a Victorinox EvoGrip S557, one of several Victorinox Evolution and EvoGrip, and have been extremely pleased with it. The one complaint I've heard with the locking blade "S" models is getting to the nail nick on the scissors around the lever used to unlock the large blade. I've not had the difficulty with this that others apparently have had as I can get my thumbnail into the nail nick around the lever. There are others that prefer the Victorinox scissors, in spite of the thin leaf spring.

John

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jaya_man]

I have a Wenger Evowood S557 which I got cheap...



But it justs sits in my collection drawer. Somehow couldn't get myself to carry it mainly because I prefer the cutting smoothness of regular Vic scissors over the Wenger style self sharpening one... Don't have any Vic versions as they are expensive... Vic S557 prices come close if not equal to Swisschamp prices. At least in this part of the world.

Love the locking mechanism on the blade, inline phillips and flat head/bottle opener though... I can even safely close the blade one handed too since it initially stops at close to 90° angle...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SAK Guy]

They are awesome. the best of both SAK worlds IMO. Love the Delemonts!!!!!

[Grass]

Greetings!

I am a fan of the 'S' models in the 85mm and have a few Wenger and Vic models; with the Vic Delemont S557 a frequent edc (second only to my 111mm trekker). We emphasise the differences but I reckon the Vic 85mm models still look and feel Wenger, which is hardly surprising!

The Delemont appeal is similar to the old Wenger on my end - the lock blade, blade shape, nail file and cleaner rather than a small knife, springless scissors and pliers and locking screwdrivers. The down sides are similar as well - pliers are weak being my biggest concern. I am not passionate about the Wenger to Delemont changes but do like the fit of the mini screwdriver in the corkscrew. The Wenger can opener was more effective but adding the screwdriver is useful.

The quality does not appear much different to the old Wenger - excellent though perhaps not up to Victorinox for fit and finish.