Observations about Wenger nail files

TennTexan · **on:** May 16, 2018, 07:43:02 PM

Has anyone else noticed the nail files on the serrated Wengers face the opposite direction from the ones on the knives with non-serrated main blades?

Here are pics of my Serrated Master and Monarch that show what I’m talking about. Notice how the file surface faces away from the serrated blade.

I can only surmise that they did this to keep the file from catching on and dulling the serrations.

Boonies · **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2018, 08:20:58 PM

Interesting observation.... my locking serrated Master is the same and all non-serrated (non-locking) are toward the master blade. Oddly enough I have two Vic versions of the Wenger, S18 and Tool Chest Plus (S54 I think) with the non-serrated locking blade and they have the nail file facing away from the blade. So it could have something to do with the locking blade or Vic decided to orient the nail file one way only. Need more examples I think.

Congrats on your Serrated Master, loving that knife.....

TennTexan · **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2018, 08:51:58 PM

Quote from: Boonies on May 16, 2018, 08:20:58 PM

Interesting observation.... my locking serrated Master is the same and all non-serrated (non-locking) are toward the master blade. Oddly enough I have two Vic versions of the Wenger, S18 and Tool Chest Plus (S54 I think) with the non-serrated locking blade and they have the nail file facing away from the blade. So it could have something to do with the locking blade or Vic decided to orient the nail file one way only. Need more examples I think.

Congrats on your Serrated Master, loving that knife.....

Agreed, we need more examples. Hopefully some other members will post up theirs so we can compare. And thanks, the Serrated Master is a favorite of mine.

smiller43147 · **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2018, 01:24:38 AM

I can't begin to cite dates, but I think the forward facing file was the standard going way back, and only recently has it faced backwards.
Im sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in with a definitive answer.

El Corkscrew · **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2018, 03:06:57 AM

Quote from: smiller43147 on May 17, 2018, 01:24:38 AM

I can't begin to cite dates, but I think the forward facing file was the standard going way back, and only recently has it faced backwards.
Im sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in with a definitive answer.

Yep, I don't have an exact date either but I know the file facing out was a later change for Wenger. I have a 90s Commander with it facing inside and probably an early 2000s Highlander with it facing out, I like the facing out file better as it will spare you scratches on your blade

smiller43147 · **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2018, 02:03:43 AM

Quote from: El Corkscrew on May 17, 2018, 03:06:57 AM

Quote from: smiller43147 on May 17, 2018, 01:24:38 AM
I can't begin to cite dates, but I think the forward facing file was the standard going way back, and only recently has it faced backwards.
Im sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in with a definitive answer.
Yep, I don't have an exact date either but I know the file facing out was a later change for Wenger. I have a 90s Commander with it facing inside and probably an early 2000s Highlander with it facing out, I like the facing out file better as it will spare you scratches on your blade

I believe the scratching of the blade is the reason for reversing it.

Mechanickal · **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2018, 07:04:51 AM

No locking blade, reversed file.

ChopperCharles · **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2018, 04:31:46 PM

The Wenger Handyman series from the early 90s has both styles of nail file. The 1990 model has the file facing inward. I'm not sure at what year they changed, but there are models with the file facing outward. There's also a knife that is often sold on eBay as the "Handyman", but instead of the nail file it has a small clip-point blade. I believe, but am not sure, that it's a different model knife and mis-identified as a handyman.

But I digress. My point is that even on the same model from year to year the direction of the nail file can change.

Charles.