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Tried a Wenger for the first time.

caveologist · 10 · 649
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Offline caveologist

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Tried a Wenger for the first time.
on: January 17, 2026, 04:26:03 PM
Victorinox user for 45 years, thought it was time to try a Wenger. Bought a new in box Traveler on eBay which arrived in perfect condition. I find the cap lifter very hard to open, can opener a little easier, and the awl nearly impossible. Nail file scratches the main blade. Poor snap on some tools. I have oiled everything. I want to love it but cannot. Did I get a lemon, or is this normal?

us Offline gustophersmob

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #1 on: January 17, 2026, 04:46:00 PM
Quote from: caveologist on January 17, 2026, 04:26:03 PM
Victorinox user for 45 years, thought it was time to try a Wenger. Bought a new in box Traveler on eBay which arrived in perfect condition. I find the cap lifter very hard to open, can opener a little easier, and the awl nearly impossible. Nail file scratches the main blade. Poor snap on some tools. I have oiled everything. I want to love it but cannot. Did I get a lemon, or is this normal?

I’m no wenger expert, but I think the weaker snap (especially compared to Vic) is normal.
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us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #2 on: January 17, 2026, 05:15:41 PM
I am not a WENGER expert either, or really a VICTORINOX expert either, other I have more Victorinox SAKs than I should.

I do have a few TRAVELERS.  One is new in the clam shell yet and will likely remain there for
A long while.

Another that is convenient to me at the moment is a Traveler advertising piece with out scale tools.

On this model I do find the the Can Opener pull is a 6, and snap on close is softer.  The CAP LIFTER pull is definitely stronger, a 7 or 7.5.  The same for the back side AWL.

The NAIL FILE, does not touch the blade yet there is a little side to side play on the main blade. But, I can see it possible to push ringer blade into each other opening most likely to extract the file.

The biggest difference I have observed between a WENGRR  and VIC tool is the scissors.

The WENGER SCISSORS have a micro serrated edge (self sharpening style) where the Vic’s are smooth.

I also have a VICTORINOX EVO 14, made at the WENGER Delmont facility, and it has the same WENGRR STYLE scissors, but fit and finish are very good.

I would guess, the backspring strength seems normal on yours. The blade play between main blade and file may be user induced during extraction of the file. 

For what it is worth, the same happens when extracting the file blade on my VIC SPORTSMAN.

All the best.
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us Offline gustophersmob

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #3 on: January 17, 2026, 05:18:25 PM
One positive about wenger, imo, is that the back springs are flush with the liners. One of my least favorite things about victorinox (91 and 84mm, they get it right on the 111mm line) are the recessed back springs on layers with back tools.
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us Offline nate j

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #4 on: January 17, 2026, 05:34:05 PM
Quote from: caveologist on January 17, 2026, 04:26:03 PM
Victorinox user for 45 years, thought it was time to try a Wenger. Bought a new in box Traveler on eBay which arrived in perfect condition. I find the cap lifter very hard to open, can opener a little easier, and the awl nearly impossible. Nail file scratches the main blade. Poor snap on some tools. I have oiled everything. I want to love it but cannot. Did I get a lemon, or is this normal?
As the owner of dozens of Vics and probably half a dozen Wengers, I would say that weaker snap than Vics is normal for a Wenger.

Tools being difficult to impossible to open is not normal.  I recommend thorough cleaning with hot water and dish soap, then dry and re-oil.  Hopefully will improve ease of opening, and may improve snap somewhat.
 :cheers:
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au Offline Huntsman

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #5 on: January 18, 2026, 10:22:55 AM
Yep I am with Nate on this one.
I have many Wengers and have regularly EDC'd some - including a Traveller and an S18 (i think - Maybe S17!!)

Never had any problems opening any of the tools - All very easy and smooth.
You are opening the awl via the dimple in the scales and liner - Right? - ie You open it from the 'other' side compared to a Vic awl.

I have read  about the file scratching the blade on other channels - But has not happened in any of my Wengers

But yes typically I do find the springs have less snap than a Vic

Maybe get a few more Wengers ;) 
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us Offline IMR4198

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #6 on: January 18, 2026, 12:49:27 PM
    All of the Wenger knives that I own now (and did own in the past) function smoothly.  I do have one or two that the files leave drag marks on the blade.  I have some that the file rubs on the liner/scale side.  Scales overlap the liners on a big portion of Wengers to varying degrees. 
    I have handled some 85mm Wengers that inexplicably could not be opened, or have some tools that could not be opened without prying the stiff things apart.  I didn't take the time to figure out what exactly was happening.  Naturally, I didn't acquire them.  These were all heavily used and abused.  I never saw a new one that didn't work correctly. 
    We recently had a member with a Victorinox Ranger that had oxidized liners.  That could happen even with a new in the box item that has been stored in less-than-ideal conditions.  That could even account for the lack of snap.  First they don't have any zip, then they freeze up.  Our Ranger owner cured his with lube and opening and closing the tools until they freed up.  I did the same with a Tinker that I had lost for a time outdoors.  It is perfectly fine now and has been for ages. 
    There are Wenger people and Vic people, but some of us like both.  Best wishes.  Gary
 :think:
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us Offline IMR4198

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #7 on: January 20, 2026, 03:16:29 PM
    Some of the Wengers have the abrasive side of the file turned into the blade.  Newer ones have the abrasive side turned away from the blade.  This one grates against the blade when it is opened or closed.  In spite of that (and its age) there aren't any appreciable marks on the blade.  The file only strikes the very top edge of the blade instead of dragging all along the side of it. 
    I like having a file on the knife.  On the ones with the file surface positioned away from the blade, you put up with a little dragging on the liner or scale.  Depends.  Best wishes.  G
 :salute:
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us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #8 on: January 20, 2026, 04:23:41 PM
This just my view, but, isn’t the file surface actually indented into the blade surface of the nail blade implement on the Classic, any WENGER, or even the COMPACT (back side of parcel hook)?   The diamond file surface should never rub the liner if faced outward, or the blade if inward.

This design is most purposeful I noticed on both WENGER and VICTORINOX with the personal care nail diamond type file.

Some other designs that are a traditional style file, are edge to edge and can possibly contact the blade or liners. My SPORTSMAN has this style.

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  
CADET, Wenger Classic style, and a SPORTSMAN

EACH these files face inward.

And, I have an older CADET with diamond nail file, recessed file surface also facing inward.
« Last Edit: January 20, 2026, 04:41:30 PM by LoopCutter »
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!
Merit Badges Participate in a challenge by carrying  a Combo Edged knife or Multitool and post a photo of it  for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread, carry a Victorinox Cadet and post a photo every day for 30 consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread, carry at least one black edc item, and post a photo every day for 30 consecutive days.  Carry tools with single functions only. No multi-tools, no multi-layer Swiss Army Knives, no combo one-piece tools and post a photo for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread, carry at least one red edc item, and post a photo every day for 30 consecutive days. Start a new thread with a photo of custom or non standard SAK scales in your collection Start a new thread with photos of a Japanese made PST in your collection Start a new thread or Post in a Challenge Thread and post a photo of a Spartan  for 30 days Start a new thread with photos of at least 6 SAKs of different frame lengths and/or shapes in your collection. Eg 58mm, 74mm, 84mm regular, 84mm slim, 85mm etc Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo of a SAK-alike, aka multi-layered, knife-based pocket tools for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread, carry a keychain tool with pliers, and post a photo every day for 30 consecutive days Participate in a Challenge thread, carry at least one green edc item, and post a photo every day for 30 consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread, carry a SAK, duct tape, and paperclip, and post a photo every day for 30 consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread, carry a Leatherman Bond, and post a photo every day for 30 consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge and post a photo of a Utility Knife for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a Delemont SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a challenge by carrying  a GEC knife and post a photo of it  for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo of  a Leatherman Micra  for 30 days Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo of  a Opinel  knife  for 30 days Participate in a challenge by carrying  a 100mm or 108mm SAK and post a photo of it  for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a Vic Spirit MT for sixty (60) consecutive days.

us Offline Farmer X

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Re: Tried a Wenger for the first time.
Reply #9 on: January 20, 2026, 04:45:07 PM
I will concur that Wengers generally don't snap as strongly as their Victorinox counterparts. But I do like both of 'em.
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