Wenger Alinghi and Surge comparison

[duckman1975]

Just got my alinghi yesterday, one thing you can be sure of is that when you order a SAK you get good quality. First impression out of the box the Alinghi is lighter than it looks but bulkier than it looks also. But again no questions about the quality one of the best, you can really see and feel the TLC on the product:

I would like to compare it to my EDC now the Surge. Sheath quality about the same with the SURGE disappointing not because is of poor quality its just I was expecting a little bit more:

The SURGE is definitely heavier than the Alinghi but the Alinghi is longer:

Blade size the Alinghi is huge:
 
And the pliers, Big-Target was right mouth opening of the pliers is minuscule compared with the SURGE and any other Leatherman pliers maybe except for the squirt:

As for the other implements, SAKs to me have the best screw driver and philips screw still true with the ALinghi.
Two things I want to change is first the pliers I want one that opens a little bit wider, second is the marline spike would want to change it with a wood saw.
Other than that, in the words of Big-Target "It would have multitool God like status."

[donvito]

Will it replace your surge in edc role?

[jzmtl]

Hmm that plier really adds some heft eh? I wanted a ranger with plier but seems I'll have to change my mind.

[duckman1975]

Will it replace your surge in edc role?

Well as of now I plan to rotate it with my SURGE as my work EDC. I doubt it would totally replace the SURGE.

Hmm that plier really adds some heft eh? I wanted a ranger with plier but seems I'll have to change my mind.

It did add some significant bulk but one of the reason I bought the Alinghi is the pliers. I always EDC the SURGE for work so it doesn't bother me because the Alinghi is lighter and to me easier to carry but the trade of is the lack other tools that the SURGE have like the scissors, metal file, wood saw and can opener. You have to pair it up if you want to edc it on camping trips.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Glad you got it mate , keep us updated with your thoughts about it please

[max6166]

Great score! Thanks for the review and pics. 

[AndyTiedye]

If they replaced the marlinspike with a saw it wouldn't be an Alinghi.


Though it would be an extremely useful knife, and I want one like that.
Much of my pliers use is needlenose, and does not require wide opening.

Still, it is an unnecessary limitation.   The Aitor pliers have a detent,
rather than a hard stop, so they can open as far as you want.


I still prefer the Alinghi/Ranger pliers for fine work, but the Aitor pliers
can handle bigger stuff.

[edap617]

Congrats on your new toy Donald. I might also get one when I go to Manila next month.

Eddie

[duckman1975]

I bought the alinghi because of the one-hand opening blade and the plier combination, no other ranger have that combination except the Alinghi, but thanks andy for the aitor pictures will look in to them they are a beauty.
Eddie bro, if you are like me and want the one-hand opening blade and plier combination you have no other choice but the Alinghi, but if you are not that particular about the combination the ranger series have a wide range to choose from. Looking at the Alinghi, jzmtl is right on the pliers did in fact add a lot of bulk without them it will be a lot sexier 

[Benner]

Thanks for that Donald.    The Alinghi really interests me.

[Dunc]

Just realised the Alinghi has a shackle opener  Guys I must have one of these  I've just donated my Atlantic salt and Kydex sheath to the lifeboat because we dont have an effective rescue knife onboard and I cant get them to part with serious money to get one . So a replacement knife for myself is in order .

  Right who wants to swap everything I own for an Alinghi ? 

Dunc

[Grant Lamontagne]

Dunc, my boy, I love you like a brother, but you ain't got enough stuff to separate me from my Alinghi! 

Def

[AndyTiedye]

Not giving up mine either, but Felinevet has them in stock.   He has the best price I have seen for them.

http://felinevet.sosakonline.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=732&category_id=9683468c9ab1dc0a02f23a83c7df4d4b&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=1

[Dunc]

Dunc, my boy, I love you like a brother, but you ain't got enough stuff to separate me from my Alinghi! 

Def

This isnt going to be easy 

Dunc

[J-sews]

I've not tried one of those NewRangers with the thumbhole blade yet. How do you like the knife on yours Donald? Is it easy to open and close one-handed?

[jzmtl]

I've played with one in store and it's very easy to open and close one handed.

[AndyTiedye]

I find the O/H New Rangers easier to open than the 111 O/H Vics.

[donvito]

I find the O/H New Rangers easier to open than the 111 O/H Vics.

At first when I got the oht it took a while for me to get used to the size (medium sized hands) but with time and a few hiking trips later it just comes to you and the knife opens in one smooth motion + the saw is amazing.

Back to Wengers, I'd like to get my hands on one of the new oh rangers, and the Alinghi looks good but there are tools on it that I will never use and some that I'll miss. Is there a wenger with pliers and oh knife with a wood saw and maybe some of the everyday/outdoor tool combination on the horizon?

[duckman1975]

Thanks for that Donald.    The Alinghi really interests me.

Welcome ben, highly recommend the Alinghi but if you can wait hopefully Wenger would come out with a ranger that have O/H blade, a plier and a wood saw.

Just realised the Alinghi has a shackle opener  Guys I must have one of these  I've just donated my Atlantic salt and Kydex sheath to the lifeboat because we dont have an effective rescue knife onboard and I cant get them to part with serious money to get one . So a replacement knife for myself is in order .

  Right who wants to swap everything I own for an Alinghi ? 

Dunc

Sorry Dunc planning to keep it and give it to my son when he become 18 

I've not tried one of those NewRangers with the thumbhole blade yet. How do you like the knife on yours Donald? Is it easy to open and close one-handed?

Loved the Alinghi went to bed with it the first night I had it, luckly the misus understand 
Very easy to open in my opinion its comparable to the charge and the SURGE.

I find the O/H New Rangers easier to open than the 111 O/H Vics.

At first when I got the oht it took a while for me to get used to the size (medium sized hands) but with time and a few hiking trips later it just comes to you and the knife opens in one smooth motion + the saw is amazing.

Back to Wengers, I'd like to get my hands on one of the new oh rangers, and the Alinghi looks good but there are tools on it that I will never use and some that I'll miss. Is there a wenger with pliers and oh knife with a wood saw and maybe some of the everyday/outdoor tool combination on the horizon?

+1 wish they come out with a ranger with O/H, plier, combination screw driver bottle opener, can opener and wood saw.

[duckman1975]

Been edcing the Alinghi, few of the things that I noticed: andy is right on the pliers are very good for precision work just made a fish hook out of a piece of wire.
To me the metal looks softer than the charge might be because its thinner than the charge blade, don't want to push the blade to the edge scared it might brake. hopefully I'm wrong about this.
After reading the manual of the Alinghi one thing bothered me its the warranty
Victorinox life time warranty
Leatherman 25 years warranty
Wenger 2 years 

[AndyTiedye]

After reading the manual of the Alinghi one thing bothered me its the warranty
Victorinox life time warranty
Leatherman 25 years warranty
Wenger 2 years 

Where did you see 2 years?

From Wenger's US website:

Wenger Swiss Army Knife Limited Lifetime Warranty
All Wenger Genuine Swiss Army Knives, purchased in the U.S.A. and its territories and possessions, are warranted for the lifetime of the original purchaser, against breakage or malfunction, under normal use, due to defects in material or workmanship. We will repair or, at our option, replace any defective knife with the same or a comparable model. We will refund the purchase price if repair or replacement is not commercially practical or cannot be made in a timely fashion. This warranty will become null and void if the knife is misused, abused, tampered with or taken apart. It also does not cover any ornamentation, imprint or inlay applied to the knife. We will not be liable for any incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from any and all uses of the knife. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental, consequential or special damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. For warranty service, please send the knife with a U.S. return address and $3.00 for return postage and handling (except California purchasers) to Wenger Swiss Army Knives, 15 Corporate Drive, Orangeburg, NY 10962.

From their Swiss site:

[EN] Warranty valid for 5 years
The WENGER SA Cutlery Works guarantee this product to be in perfect working order. It has been manufactured with care and precision, using the highest quality steel and materials. Any Wenger product that becomes defective due to bad workmanship or poor materials will be repaired or replaced without charge. Any defects due to negligent or unreasonable use are not covered by this warranty.

[duckman1975]

Will post pictures next of the warranty on Monday.

[J-sews]

(Image removed from quote.)

Do all the NewRangers come with a sheath? Or just the Alinghi models?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have a number of Ranger models and the only one that came with a sheath was the Alinghi.

Def

[jzmtl]

The sheath is avaliable seperately on Wenger's website I believe.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Pretty certain Felinevet can also provide them.

Def

[AndyTiedye]

The NewRanger Touring 174 also has a sheath.

The sheath on that one has 4 exterior pockets to hold bits
(since that model has a bitdriver).

[Teofilo]

Congrats on your new Alinghi, Donald!

[BIG-TARGET]

(Image removed from quote.)

Do all the NewRangers come with a sheath? Or just the Alinghi models?

Just the Alinghi.

BUT! The pouches can be purchased seperately

[BIG-TARGET]

The NewRanger Touring 174 also has a sheath.

The sheath on that one has 4 exterior pockets to hold bits
(since that model has a bitdriver).

Have a pic/link??