Delemont 30 Day Challenge - October

[Jackpine54]

Day 28: Cutting open a box of Halloween cereal with the PTC.  Just like the Classic and the Executive, the blade sees most of the use followed by the scissors.  I've grown to like this knife so much it may just replace the Classic on my Keychain!  The scissors aren't quite as good for certain uses, but they're strong.  I wish the back springs were tighter, but I can live with that.  I keep hoping Vic will come back with a new version, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Useful for a healthy breakfast!

[Jackpine54]

And the winner is……..drum roll please maestro…..number 21 

Congratulations Jackpine54 the EvoWood is yours, please PM me your address

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Thanks for doing this GAW Echotech! That's awesome. I can't wait to put it into service.

[GearedForwards]

Day 30:


So throughout the challenge, I've carried my Rangergrip in my pocket daily. But, because I tend to rely on me scissors, I also carried a Delémont Executive 81.

However, a bit to my surprise, I did not use the Executive 81 the entire challenge. Obviously the Rangergrip saw a decent amount of use. I think I used awl the tools aside from the saw. This is mostly because I've been kinda dull for the past month.

I was also surprised by how easily the 130mm Rangergrip grip carried in my pocket. In the past I've used a belt pouch or belt dangler to carry 130's, but it became quite ordinary to carry the Rangergrip on a daily basis.

Overall, I really enjoyed the Rangergrip's full-sized blade. The other tools seem strangely small, housed in the big 130 frame, but they proved to be just as useful as ever, time and time again.

Is the Rangergrip my new favorite SAK?

No.... If it were my only SAK, I'd be a happy man; but I think a Camper would probably have served me just as well over the course of the past month. And a Farmer (or Farmer X) would have been just as useful.

So, as the challenge closes, I'm going to drop a PX into my pocket and enjoy a little extra room for spare change. Nevertheless, the Rangergrip will surely accompany me on many more trips and adventures in the future, where a larger knife blade (and saw) might come in handy. 


(Image removed from quote.)

If you didn't use the saw, then how come you would have preferred a Farmer, wouldn't a Pioneer(X maybe) have been a better choice? Or is a saw a comfort thing?

[Jackpine54]

Day 30

Congratulations awl for finishing the challenge and thanks again Echotech your generosity!

Today I used the evogrip 18 during goose hunting operations. Figured I'd spare you awl the gory pictures, but the awl works fantastic as a dispatching tool.
During the challenge I used awl of my Wenger and Victorinox Delemont knives. Honestly I have never carried any of them before  . I mostly carry a SwissChamp, farmer, huntsman or pioneer.

The old commander worked great, although I didn't use it much.

Evolution 10 makes a decent substitute for those days when I would have normally used a pioneer. I think I actually might prefer it in some situations.

Handyman and evogrip 18 make a very reasonable substitute for the huntsman and farmer. Although the backs springs are noticably weaker they still worked great. The smaller size is nice in the pocket.

Evolution S52 was my favorite of the bunch. The size makes it a little easier for me to grip. The toolset is almost perfect for my daily use and the locking blade was great once I got used to it.

Overall, I am not good with the Wenger can opener, but that's just me. The blade shape is great, very useful. Love the nail file. The locking opener/screwdriver works perfect unless it gets too much blood in it 
  I am sure the Vic models will end up in my carry rotation. The Wengers will be saved for rainy day use.

My only 2 complaints are the scissors. About the time I'd start thinking they weren't too bad, they'd fail to perform. And also the springs on all of mine except the S52 are very weak. Neither of those is a deal breaker for me.

Great challenge. Enjoyed everyone's posts and pictures.     
I'm still trying to find vegimite, don't think it exists in Northern Michigan

[Barry Rowland]

It definitely fills the bill Jackpine and congratulations!!

Useful for a healthy breakfast!

[Alan K.]

Day 30
Today I'm still carrying the Swiss Sportsman, but I dug out the PST for the November challenge.

[GA1dad]

Day 30
Today I'm still carrying the Swiss Sportsman, but I dug out the PST for the November challenge.

  I did the same thing. Used the PST to reinstall the chain on the Swiss Sportsman.

[Nix]

If you didn't use the saw, then how come you would have preferred a Farmer, wouldn't a Pioneer(X maybe) have been a better choice? Or is a saw a comfort thing?

 

What I meant... I don't think I did anything with the Rangergrip that a Farmer couldn't have handled just as well (or better with that in-line awl) and in a smaller form-factor.

Also....I did say that I plan on dropping a PX in me pocket at the conclusion of the challenge.    So, I might have preferred a PX. Even so, for some odd reason, I didn't need any scissors during this challenge.

But, yes, the saw is a kind of comfort thing. I like the saw and I wish I had done a bit more that might have required a bit of sawing.

 *** sigh ***
Maybe I'll drop a Fieldmaster into my pocket.....   

[maxdog]

Day 30 bonus

Inspired by Echotech’s collection pic, I thought I’d do one of my Wengers and Vic Delémonts - turns out I have more than I thought! Don’t forget to apply for the lovely looking new badge! 

Beautiful and impressive collection you got going there Rizio!   

[Jackpine54]

What I meant... I don't think I did anything with the Rangergrip that a Farmer couldn't have handled just as well (or better with that in-line awl) and in a smaller form-factor.

Also....I did say that I plan on dropping a PX in me pocket at the conclusion of the challenge.    So, I might have preferred a PX. Even so, for some odd reason, I didn't need any scissors during this challenge.

But, yes, the saw is a kind of comfort thing. I like the saw and I wish I had done a bit more that might have required a bit of sawing.

 *** sigh ***
Maybe I'll drop a Fieldmaster into my pocket.....   

 . I sure like having a saw in my pocket. I might not use it every day but it doesn't take up much space and when you need it there's no substitute.

[cody6268]

Day 30: I played the piano from 2006-2008, but got out of it by 2010. I went through the long list of self-deprecating habits I had, and went looking for a hobby that wouldn't cost extra money, wasn't messy, and keep me away from my electronics. So, I got back to playing the piano.

My folks had given it to a neighbor, but we've had three months of "moving around the house to find a place to put it" from the two, and they haven't sent someone to come get it yet, and I feel we've given them more than enough time. My grandmother doesn't want to go back on her word, but respects my thoughts as well.

It's a Baldwin from the late '70s, early '80s. American-made from the original iteration of the company before they folded in 1984.


MTO Delemont Day 30 by cody6268, on Flickr

[cody6268]

Here are my thoughts.

Pocket Toolchest. It's on my list of SAKs that every SAK enthusiast should own one or more of. It's a small, but commonsense knife.

Microlight Esquire. Yep, I may have had it nearly 10 years, but it's still a pretty good knife. The LED module was brighter than Victorinox of the era. My only problem is the dang batteries, which are expensive.

Sportsman. One of my favorite Wengers, as it has Phillips capability but a corkscrew.

RangerGrip Gardener. Such a beast, capable of serious work. 

Golfer--niche audience, which ain't me.


All 65mm are just enough of a size larger than a 58mm that they are a practical size for carry.  130mm Rangergrips are huge! I just wish Vic would make the 1/4 hex hole standard, without having to make a mess trying to cut the front scale out yourself to expose the hex hole in the liner, or having to find a set of scales that have the hex hole.




For those of you with the nail clipper models--how are you liking it? Been meaning to get one here pretty soon, as Wenger scissors aren't the best for clipping fingernails.

[Greyman]

Day 30

[Greyman]

It's the 31st here, and I'm back to my Super Tinker.

[Barry Rowland]

I love my Wengers, but I'm suddenly missing my WorkChamp!  Just the same, I love carrying the PTC.  2 more days for me. 

[Barry Rowland]

Day 29: Happy Halloween from the night shift! 

[Farmer X]

Day 30

That little crab is pretty cool!

Day 30

For Day 30, I'm looking back to 30 October 2017. I'd then been in Michigan for about 5.5 months (and was becoming worried that I'd soon rescind my vow to never, ever shovel snow again). My old Super Tinker was still in regular service. And Jimmy and Tommy came to live with us. They marked their anniversary by posing with the Evo 23. Tommy was a little more willing to be photographed than Jimmy.

Thanks to awl for making this a superb challenge. I will be making a Day 31 post, too!

[Tet]

For those of you with the nail clipper models--how are you liking it? Been meaning to get one here pretty soon, as Wenger scissors aren't the best for clipping fingernails.

The nail clippers are perfect for 8 of my fingernails. The thicker thumbnails it just can’t cut through all at once - I need to do little corners at a time. It does a great job though using that technique. That slight inconvenience is more than made up for though by having a nail cleaner, file, blade, scissors, tweezers and toothpick in the same unit! I’d definitely recommend them

[Echotech]

Wow, the black one looks just as cool!

  I was sorely tempted to get both 

The saw on my Evo 23 was going through 2x4 just fine. Who, exactly, comes up with these untruths? Reminds me of one video I was watching in which the presenter said "don't buy a Wenger; they're junk" or words to that effect...

Upon hearing that statement, I stopped watching immediately.

  there are some total fools out there   

Day 29 of 30

Carried SwissGrip  and used phillips to tighten few screws also pliers was used.
(Image removed from quote.)


Only Tools Matters

  That is COOL as 

I have found the saw to be far more capable than most people give it credit for. Good demonstration

Day 30
October 30

Not much going on this Saturday. Kids just got vaccinated with their 1st dose for covid yesterday so we’re keeping things pretty loose and relaxed today.

After 30 days of having a Wenger as a primary, a few notes come to mind:
1. Torx bits. They’re not the most common tools found in a SAK tool. These days there’s a good number of tool and toys which use torx or hex so unless it’s a cybertoon, a Vic is in a disadvantage.

2. Scissors. As long as they can cut, it’s good. As long as it doesn’t break of mis-fire on the springs, it’s good.

3. I like the blade profile of the Wenger Tool Chest Plus. There’s a belly on the edge that helps with the cut.

4. I like the slip-joint plier heads. I haven’t used it on nuts and bolts or cutting wires but I prefer slip joints for their flexibility.  Although I have serious concerns if the SAK can handle a nut or bolt on the max size of the slip joint.

5. The tweezers were a new revelation. I found them useful on holding washers while swapping them out.

6. Size matters.  The Tool Chest is too big for comfortable pocket carry.

I agree with some of the posts here that said that Wenger or Delemont line should have been kept as the ‘prototype arm’ of Victorinox to test out new implements or combinations.

Excllent write up Zephon 

[Tet]

Day 30
A group shot to finish things off!

[Echotech]

Aha, I was beginning to think the Mounted Welly Brigade had confiscated it at the border.

 

Day 30

I was going to go for a glamour shot of some sort for the last day, but then I needed to get into a pill bottle this morning, so hey, using the SAKs is what it's all about, isn't it?

(Image removed from quote.)

It's been great fun. I've really enjoyed it and I can definitely see myself picking up a few more Wengers as time goes on...

Yes it is   

Great work, everyone and a fascinating array of Wengers and Delémonts on display! Congratulations to y’awl for making it to:

Day 30

I have my mint soldier M61 BYSAK in my pocket today, and opened up a snack for mid-morning munchies whilst doing the crossword.

Those wasabi peas look good but a mint M61 

Day 30 bonus

Inspired by Echotech’s collection pic, I thought I’d do one of my Wengers and Vic Delémonts - turns out I have more than I thought! Don’t forget to apply for the lovely looking new badge! 

Excellent collection yourself Rizio 

Day 30! 

Been a fun (and very quick) month.  Ending as I started with my old '75 SI.  Shown with an even older 'standard issue' Swiss sidearm; the 1842 sabre-briquet.  Not made by Wenger though. 

Superb pic Gareth 

Day 30

(Image removed from quote.)

I come away from this challenge impressed by the EvoGrip and liking it much more than I thought I would. Several days during the challenge I used the knife blade and bottle opener/straight driver at work and they held up well. At home, the knife was an able tool, allowing me to complete several tasks. Overall, I am glad that I spent 30 days with it in my pocket and it will find more time there in the future 

Enjoyed everybody's posts. I have to go back over the thread and reread some of them. 

Thanks Echo 
Congratulations Jackpine 

DAY 30

congrats Jackpine54 

a group pic is a fitting conclusion to the challenge.
congrats guys,very cool pics.i love the Damast blades
 

20211030_135739 by Humayd a r Mahomedy, on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/155956406@N06/51641837359/in/dateposted-public/

  I've become very attached to that Wenger cross these last 30 days 

Day 30 of 30

Ladt day and what is better way to end challenge than using SwissGrip. Carried SwissGrip with me when we went to see my parents and took this picture in there. Used Blade, Phillips, large Flathead and Pliers while helping my dad around house doing little repairs.

(Image removed from quote.)


Only Tools Matters

Great pic Antti 

I fell asleep on the couch last night, so I’m late! 

Fell asleep or made to sleep there mate 
Lovely shot of the M61 

Thanks for doing this GAW Echotech! That's awesome. I can't wait to put it into service.

No worries mate 

Day 30

Congratulations awl for finishing the challenge and thanks again Echotech your generosity!

Today I used the evogrip 18 during goose hunting operations. Figured I'd spare you awl the gory pictures, but the awl works fantastic as a dispatching tool.
During the challenge I used awl of my Wenger and Victorinox Delemont knives. Honestly I have never carried any of them before  . I mostly carry a SwissChamp, farmer, huntsman or pioneer.

The old commander worked great, although I didn't use it much.

Evolution 10 makes a decent substitute for those days when I would have normally used a pioneer. I think I actually might prefer it in some situations.

Handyman and evogrip 18 make a very reasonable substitute for the huntsman and farmer. Although the backs springs are noticably weaker they still worked great. The smaller size is nice in the pocket.

Evolution S52 was my favorite of the bunch. The size makes it a little easier for me to grip. The toolset is almost perfect for my daily use and the locking blade was great once I got used to it.

Overall, I am not good with the Wenger can opener, but that's just me. The blade shape is great, very useful. Love the nail file. The locking opener/screwdriver works perfect unless it gets too much blood in it 
  I am sure the Vic models will end up in my carry rotation. The Wengers will be saved for rainy day use.

My only 2 complaints are the scissors. About the time I'd start thinking they weren't too bad, they'd fail to perform. And also the springs on all of mine except the S52 are very weak. Neither of those is a deal breaker for me.

Great challenge. Enjoyed everyone's posts and pictures.     
I'm still trying to find vegimite, don't think it exists in Northern Michigan

Here are my thoughts.

Pocket Toolchest. It's on my list of SAKs that every SAK enthusiast should own one or more of. It's a small, but commonsense knife.

Microlight Esquire. Yep, I may have had it nearly 10 years, but it's still a pretty good knife. The LED module was brighter than Victorinox of the era. My only problem is the dang batteries, which are expensive.

Sportsman. One of my favorite Wengers, as it has Phillips capability but a corkscrew.

RangerGrip Gardener. Such a beast, capable of serious work. 

Golfer--niche audience, which ain't me.


All 65mm are just enough of a size larger than a 58mm that they are a practical size for carry.  130mm Rangergrips are huge! I just wish Vic would make the 1/4 hex hole standard, without having to make a mess trying to cut the front scale out yourself to expose the hex hole in the liner, or having to find a set of scales that have the hex hole.




For those of you with the nail clipper models--how are you liking it? Been meaning to get one here pretty soon, as Wenger scissors aren't the best for clipping fingernails.

Great write ups Jack & Cody 

Day 30

 

Day 29: Happy Halloween from the night shift!

Yum those look good 

That little crab is pretty cool!

Day 30

For Day 30, I'm looking back to 30 October 2017. I'd then been in Michigan for about 5.5 months (and was becoming worried that I'd soon rescind my vow to never, ever shovel snow again). My old Super Tinker was still in regular service. And Jimmy and Tommy came to live with us. They marked their anniversary by posing with the Evo 23. Tommy was a little more willing to be photographed than Jimmy.

Thanks to awl for making this a superb challenge. I will be making a Day 31 post, too!

  Can't beat SAKs and pets pics 

[Echotech]

Day 30
A group shot to finish things off!

Nice shot Steve, read about some more recent possible Thylacine sightings the other day....the truth is out there..in Tassie 

[Echotech]

Congrats to Jackpine54!  And thanks Echotech for the GAW again!

Fantastic collection Echo and congratualtions Jack 

What a great collection, Echotech! Congratulations Jack, and thank you Echotech for the challenge and GAWs  Day 30 is here and I’ll be posting tasks later on.

Stunning collection! My day 30 photo will almost certainly pale in comparison.
Congratulations!

That's an awesome collection 
Great idea for this challenge, thanks for putting it together 

That's one hell of a collection, mate! Superb.

It's been a great challenge Echo.  My "collection" lacks a little in variety (especially compared to yours) but I've always managed to put something interesting in my pocket each day. 

I now also need to add a 1951 SI to my collection. 

Congrats Jackpine54! 

Thanks again Echotech for your generosity 

Thanks Echotech for a great idea for a challenge and for the GAWs.  Congratulations Jackpine I hope you enjoy your prize.

This has been a great challenge, I’ve encountered a lot of interesting knives! Thanks for hosting echotech, and thanks for your awesome GAW’s!I love my evogrip, and I’m sure Jackpine will love his!  Great collection too!

Thanks awl, it's been a top challenge 

[Echotech]

Day 31

Got out to the Hawkesbury river today, carried the Evo18, perfect fit for a country walk and drive

Got a new phone and unsurprisingly I suppose it decided the river was the focus of my shot rather than the Evo, what does it know huh

Better on the wetlands




And to finish as I started…with Coco…trying to cadge a sandwich

[GearedForwards]

Day 30

Today's use was opening the final piece of the PiF box, fortunately, I wrestled it from the border patrol 

Final Thoughts:

The Evowood 17 and Executive 81 both performed well for the most part, I resorted to other tools for tweezer, just because these are obviously not cellidor models. The scissors did okay, but performance was a step below Leatherman scissors, and most definitely well below Vic scissors. The Exec 81 was a smidge larger than a Classic, which was nice to use, it felt a little more solid and sturdy, and the file is just better for nail care altogether. I didn't use the Evowood's saw, but I think I've genuinely used the saw on  MT once (ever), the blade performed well enough.

Overall they tackled everything I asked of them, but towards the last 3rd of the challenge I found myself wanting to use some other tools, though this is primarily a problem of limited choice. In the future I'd love to find a Wenger Pocket Tool Chest (hopefully in nice condition) as it looks like a great small tool, as well as 130mm, probably the wood scaled version Vic currently makes to match the others. I wouldn't be surprised if more Evo models made their way into my collection at some point, but unless they're great deals I won't be seeking out the plastic/grip tape versions actively.

[Fireman]

Day 31


And to finish as I started…with Coco…trying to cadge a sandwich

The one constant in our lives is that our dogs never change. 

[MichaelGT83]

For those of you with the nail clipper models--how are you liking it? Been meaning to get one here pretty soon, as Wenger scissors aren't the best for clipping fingernails.

The 582 worked perfectly well for me while I was away. No issues at all.

[ulzhan]

Day 29/30

Opening a cake.

[ulzhan]

Day 30/30

Awlways ready.

[comis]

Day 30 (last day, pardon me for being a little late)


Another piece that I do cherish, an early Wenger solider model replica which celebrates the brand started in/around 1893.

Gonna thank our host Echotech for a very successful challenge, and the chance to interact with our fellow members for carrying/sharing Delemont pieces!   

As I've always said, Delemont pieces have always been the more adventurous of the twins, and though the Wenger brand no longer exist, I do hope that innovative spirit will be preserved and continue in the Delemont line of Victorinox products.  Maybe it is that same bold spirit, never would I have imagined the amount of discussion/pictures of vegimite would way surpass the de-facto forum food, bacon!  I look forward seeing more vegimite and beans discussion in our upcoming GSMRE challenge!