Wenger Traveler and Wenger Nail Clipper mini review.

Chako · **on:** July 16, 2009, 02:37:49 AM

I am a bit overdue for another review.

Well this time, let us take a look at a few Wenger models.

Wenger it seems has been making Swiss Army Knives almost as long as Victorinox, the company that sort of started it all. Wenger has been in the business since the late eighteen hundreds. Since then, both companies have had a bit of rivalry that continues to this day. Interestingly enough, the Swiss Army, back in 1908, decided to reduce this rivalry by giving each 50% of their order. This way, Victorinox can state that it was the original, and Wenger can proudly claim that its a real Swiss Army Knife as both had to make their products to Swiss Army specifications.

Anyways, enough with the short history lesson. Today, we are going to look at the Wenger Traveler, and the Nail Clipper.

The Traveler

The Traveler is one of Wengers most popular full sized Swiss Army Knife models. It has 3 layers and a good collection of useful features. It fits into the 83mm lineup. The knife comes in 3 different scales. A black, a red, and stainless steel version.

The tool set is basic, but comprehensive for its size.

The Traveler contains a knife blade, a nail file with cuticle cleaner, a combo bottle opener/medium sized flat head screwdriver/wire stripper, tweezers, toothpick, can opener, corkscrew, scissors, awl, and lanyard ring. Note that the stainless steel version does not contain a toothpick or tweezers.

The most useful and most used functions that makes the Wenger Traveler a perfect Swiss Army Knife for every day carry.

Showing the nail file

Showing the Wenger name stamped into the Stainless Steel version of the Traveler.

Conclusion

The Wenger Traveler is a tight well functioned knife. It contains the most useful everyday tools. This is why the Traveler is one of Wengers most popular models. Personally I think this hits the sweet spot for the urban traveler, someone who doesnt require a saw for bush craft.

Pros:
-   Wenger Quality.
-   Well rounded out knife.
-   Small and light.
Cons:
-   I still havent figured out why both Victorinox and Wenger leave the back of the nail file blank. It is like a missed opportunity going on there.
-   Some folding tools are harder to get then on a Victorinox.

Wenger Nail Clipper

Now for something completely different and unique. To the best of my knowledge, Victorinox does not have a similar knife that contains a nail clipper.

The Wenger Nail Clipper is a 65mm Swiss Army knife that is rather chunky. Chunky in the fact that it is small and fat. Extra girth was needed to shoe horn a nail clipper into those tight confines. Just looking at the nail clipper shows that quite a bit of ingenuity and engineering went into the design of this model.

The Tool set is rather good. You get a knife, file with cuticle cleaner, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, lanyard ring, and a nail clipper.

The highlight of this model is of course the nail clipper. To get the nail clipper out, you have to roll a plastic pivot point around, which engages the clippers and pops it out a little. This allows you to deploy the clippers. Easy and it works great.

Once you have the nail clippers out, you then move the handle 180 degrees around, and then you are ready to do some nail clipping. The nail clippers have Wenger stamped on them.

The body has the new Evo shape which aids in comfortably holding the knife. The finger grooves mold to the natural curves of the fingers making those Wenger knives that feature this style of scale, very ergonomic knives to use.

Conclusion
The nail clipper is a Wenger exclusive. I found the clippers to be a bit weak, either that or my finger nails were too thick. I also found them to be a touch too small for my liking. It certainly is a novelty. This of course brings me up to one of my pet peeves. People who do nail clippings in public. I rather find the habit disgusting for sanitary reasonsbut that is just me. The Wenger Nail Clipper deserves a spot in every SAK collector due to its uniqueness and novelty.

Pros:
-   Has a nail clipper in a small package.
-   Good assortment of functions for a small knife.
Cons:
-   The nail clipper is a bit underpowered.
-   The body is rather fat. Not something you would want to toss in a jean pocket.

cliosguy · **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2009, 03:26:18 AM

nice review

as usual

silentio · **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2009, 05:14:59 AM

Nice review. The Traveler was my first SAK, and still one of my favourites. I have it in translucent green scales and it had a model number rather than the name "Traveler" at that time.

Oh, and also, it came with a little metal chain with the split ring on the end of it. Kinda like it that way.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2009, 06:43:22 AM

Great review mate

Keep the Swiss stuff coming please

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2009, 06:56:15 AM

Like the review in general, but have to disagree about the nail clippers. I think they're quite good. Not for clipping your great toenail, but every where else, they work great. Plus they function very well as a "power" tweezer.

Eat your Wheaties and try them again!

Chako · **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2009, 07:08:18 AM

Got to disagree with you on that one.

tcolling · **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2009, 07:56:21 AM

Nice reviews!

I have the clipper, both the regular version and the AT version (thanks, FelineVet!

). They're both great. I happen to like the clipper, but my fingers and fingernails are fairly small. I really like the mini-screwdriver on the AT model.

I like Travelers also (thanks again, FelineVet!

)

The one thing that keeps me from EDCing Wenger SAKs most of the time is their scissors. I really, really don't like the wenger style serrated scissors.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2009, 05:21:24 PM

Not to be too much of an @$$, but need to clarify a few things in the original post.

Wenger started providing the military with knives in 1893, and is the "Genuine Swiss Army Knife." Victorinox owns Wenger these days and both companies are more concerned about cheap Chinese imports more than each other.

As of 2008, Victorinox is the only knife supplier to the military.

Wenger's standard size is 85mm, not 83mm. Victorinox makes a few models in 84mm but not many.

Def

Chako · **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2009, 05:24:20 PM

sounds good. Guess I won't be making any SAK reviews...I really don't know much about them. I just wrote what I read off of Wingers’ History section off their web site.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2009, 05:27:18 PM

The reviews were great. I just have a little bit of SAK info stored up, since I also own/run www.SOSAKOnline.com!

I think the best reviews are often written but someone using them without knowing the back story and/or hype, so there's nothing wrong with this at all, and with your permission, I'd like to publish this on SOSAKOnline this month.

Def

Chako · **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2009, 05:28:51 PM

Only if you make the necessary corrections. I honestly don't know much about SAKs. I do hate to look like a complete idiot despite my best efforts.

But I am a quick learner, and I rarely make the same mistake twice.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2009, 05:29:59 PM

Consider it done... and next to me, no one here looks like an idiot... just one more service we provide at Multitool.org!

Def

Gareth · **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2009, 07:51:01 PM

Quote from: tcolling on July 16, 2009, 07:56:21 AM

Nice reviews!

I have the clipper, both the regular version and the AT version (thanks, FelineVet! ). They're both great. I happen to like the clipper, but my fingers and fingernails are fairly small. I really like the mini-screwdriver on the AT model.

I like Travelers also (thanks again, FelineVet! )

The one thing that keeps me from EDCing Wenger SAKs most of the time is their scissors. I really, really don't like the wenger style serrated scissors.

My thoughts exactly Tim. I wish I liked them, I really wanted to, but I don't.

Otherwise the Traveler would have made a perfect EDC for me.

Great review Chako.