Any love for Wenger?

jcfiguet · **Reply #2430 on:** January 02, 2016, 04:38:02 PM

The carbon steel blade is probably before 1919 and the stainless steel between 1919 and 1942.

SAK Guy · **Reply #2431 on:** January 15, 2016, 05:09:48 AM

I have negelected this thread so here's some recent Wengers...

Rangers

RangerGrip 90 and a Pathfinder

A used Wenger 51, a Blackout 52 and a NIB Mike Horn Ranger.

Realtree Hunters 50 and 57

RangerWood 55

Other

Wenger Teton Hardwoods

[/QUOTE]

Bass

Catch & Release

Wenger SI '83 (WaffenKontrol)

EVO Wood 18

S18 BREITLING

Motorist (White)

Unknown model

Wenger Soldat '64

Windjammers (top two)

SteveC · **Reply #2432 on:** January 15, 2016, 05:50:58 AM

Very nice collection doc

ColoSwiss · **Reply #2433 on:** January 15, 2016, 05:58:10 AM

Looking good!

SAK Guy · **Reply #2434 on:** January 15, 2016, 06:38:19 AM

Thanks guys!! Really enjoying the Wengers and can't believe that when I joined here I thought they were just "also rans" to Vics and only owned one (that was given to me). Playing with that first one revealed the quality of the line and then seeing the diversity of the models I was hooked.

Zephon · **Reply #2435 on:** January 15, 2016, 06:44:00 AM

That's an interesting "Unknown Model" you got there!

SAK Guy · **Reply #2436 on:** January 15, 2016, 06:57:20 AM

Quote from: Zephon on January 15, 2016, 06:44:00 AM

That's an interesting "Unknown Model" you got there!

Thanks!!! Here's the ID thread....

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,62863.msg1175053.html#msg1175053

Barry Rowland · **Reply #2437 on:** January 15, 2016, 02:30:19 PM

They really grow on you don't they? I didn't even give them a second thought til I handled one. I've got one so far and plan on expanding on that every chance I get.

G-Dizzle · **Reply #2438 on:** January 15, 2016, 03:22:58 PM

Quote from: Chain Gang on October 29, 2011, 11:06:51 PM

I really like my Wenger Evo S18.The locking blade is nice and the evo scales make it look and feel great.It is my main pocket carry SAK.

I have the same knife. I also have a swisschamp that i carry daily. The locking blade is a bit of an advantage, but not necesarry because i always have one on me seperately. I almost bought the s54, but i could not get over how much wasted space that there is in it vs the swisschamp (imho)

aerojet · **Reply #2439 on:** January 15, 2016, 04:07:13 PM

I actually took the time to read thru all of the 82 pages of this thread. I agree with most, and here is my story.

Like many if not most, including me, Vic was the "Swiss Army Knife". PERIOD. From early on there was not a lot of Wenger around, at any price in this area to compare Vic and Wen. Once I got on the internet and learned about Wenger, it looked like a Vic imitator. It happens in every industry and this one is the same. It was when Vic took over Wenger that I realized what was going on, and Wenger was another SAK. A real SAK.

It was also at that time I was looking to replace another worn out Vic, and by now Vic had taken over the Delemont works and pretty much gutted the Wenger line except for the Evolution Grip SAKS.

In the end, I found the Wenger S54, you see at the top left in my Avatar. But knowing that if anything happened to it, this would be lost. So I did the next best thing and bought the Vic S54. This has become my EDC and the Wenger is my pride and joy of my collection.

I have since bought a few more Wenger SAKS which I found on the internet, and those are staying home. it is the last of the Wenger Delemont made SAKS and when they are gone, the innovations which Wenger originally put into the things will be lost.

I think that Vic will keep the Evo Grip line. This is a real move forward in multi tools in that it gives one a good firm grip on the thing and perfect control. Other things like the spingless scissors and pliers are way ahead of the time. I know it is relatively easy to change out springs, I have done it for ages, but not to have to worry about changing the spring?

Other Wenger innovations are things like a metal file which is about as good as I have seen. It is a good mill second cut and really moves metal. Don't use this for a fingernail file, it is way too aggressive. The wood saw with the Evo Grip is excellent for trimming out round holes to suit the assembly. Another Wenger exclusive is the universal wrench. Good mainly for 2 - 56, 4 - 40, and 6 - 32 screws which we use all the time and handy when needed.

I was not happy with Vic's changing out the magnifier to that larger one with the thin holder. Wenger has theirs on the end of a metal tool, and gives you enough room to stuff your face and a flashlight into a dark place to read off code numbers on locks and keep the SAK out of the way.

The Phillips and standard screwdrivers locks in when you push down. Nice when you need to get purchase to force something out and the stupid thing does not fold back in.

The locking blade is another safety item which not only is nice, but gives one the peace of mind that the thing is not going to close on you if something goes wrong.

Any love of Wenger? One could say that - it is a tool which fills the need with innovation and an understanding of what the product needs to do.

In some ways I wish I had found this product earlier, but live and learn and now move on.

The Aerojet

tosh · **Reply #2440 on:** January 16, 2016, 01:47:16 AM

Excellent post aerojet.
I agree with your sentiments whole heartedly.

Like you, I came here to MT'o. Knowing little of a Wenger. Victorinox certainly has the monopoly here in the UK. But, like most things in life, it's when you move away from the obvious that your eyes are opened.

I really don't think any of us realised what Wenger was, it seems far too many of us were blinded by Victorinox. Yes, both are swiss and both used the classic red scales and both used the cross as an emblem. But they were evidently as different as chalk and cheese.

The naivety that ignorance allows us, often hides so much. I can't help but keep thinking of OB-1 in starwars ".....you can strike me down but I shall become more powerful than you could ever imagined".
It seems that Wenger is fast becoming recognised for the achievements it made that were often overshadowed due to Victorinox's much much bigger marketing budget.

But the fact that Victorinox has cloned and rebranded what will undoubtedly always be regarded as Wenger ideas is perhaps the biggest accolade Wenger could ever have hoped for. It's pretty clear that Victorinox has very little, if any innovative ideas. Instead it seems they prefer to 'swallow up' the true radicals and take the praise for their achievements.

Any love for wenger.... To a learned mind, certainly.

jcfiguet · **Reply #2441 on:** January 16, 2016, 01:54:46 AM

Aerojet, I love that you said !

Wenger was the best, I agree...

Barry Rowland · **Reply #2442 on:** January 16, 2016, 03:20:41 AM

+1 gang....I love my Vics, but I sure wish I had discovered Wenger sooner. The innovations they developed are awesome, and the knife is a wonderful piece of craftsmanship (my oldest son, right behind me, agrees wholeheartedly but he made the jump first, and got me into Wenger).

jcfiguet · **Reply #2443 on:** January 16, 2016, 04:11:00 AM

I think lot of people missed the Wenger brand for several reasons...

What a pity!

I just hope (for them) that they will not make the same error with the new brand SWIZA!

In Latin we say: « Errare humanum est, perseverare diabolicum ». It can be translated by : « To err is human, to persevere is devilish ».

SAK Guy · **Reply #2444 on:** January 16, 2016, 04:18:25 AM

jcfiguet · **Reply #2445 on:** January 16, 2016, 04:26:05 AM

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur

sak60 · **Reply #2446 on:** January 16, 2016, 04:30:44 AM

These are mine

SAK Guy · **Reply #2447 on:** January 16, 2016, 05:12:52 AM

Quote from: jcfiguet on January 16, 2016, 04:26:05 AM

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur

Facio consentio

SAK Guy · **Reply #2448 on:** January 16, 2016, 05:14:15 AM

Quote from: sak60 on January 16, 2016, 04:30:44 AM

These are mine

Very nice!!!

AndyTiedye · **Reply #2449 on:** January 16, 2016, 05:32:12 AM

Used this one today to true the rear wheel on my bike:

Barry Rowland · **Reply #2450 on:** January 16, 2016, 09:30:47 PM

Nice one Andy!

Daark · **Reply #2451 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:21:55 AM

My love for Wengers is mostly focussed on the RangerGrip Series, this is why they are the only Wengers in my posession. I am especially fond of the RangerGrip 86 and RangerGrip 95. The 86 because it has the toolset which I fancy the most and the 95 because it has the same toolset plus the pliers. Which are not as handy as the ones on the Swisstool but heck, I love the design.

jcfiguet · **Reply #2452 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:30:21 AM

Hello Daark,

Did you see this one ?

Daark · **Reply #2453 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:40:28 AM

To be honest I didn't see this one yet. It is an interesting model but misses two essential tools in my opinion: the can opener and the corkscrew

What is the model number?

jcfiguet · **Reply #2454 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:47:27 AM

Quote from: Daark on February 01, 2016, 12:40:28 AM

To be honest I didn't see this one yet. It is an interesting model but misses two essential tools in my opinion: the can opener and the corkscrew

What is the model number?

It's just a joke !

I made this knife myself !

But this one does exist, "Ranger 198 CAS" :

Daark · **Reply #2455 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:55:39 AM

Maybe somewhen I will get over it and try building one myself. Although I can't think of anything the ones I have do not yet incorporate already.

I just wish Vic would make the East ranger and/or Rescue II again just with their modifications and green scales.
Initially I bought two pairs of green scales so I can swap them but then decided to keep them as they were.

jcfiguet · **Reply #2456 on:** February 01, 2016, 01:08:12 AM

Quote from: Daark on February 01, 2016, 12:55:39 AM

Maybe somewhen I will get over it and try building one myself. Although I can't think of anything the ones I have do not yet incorporate already.

I just wish Vic would make the East ranger and/or Rescue II again just with their modifications and green scales.
Initially I bought two pairs of green scales so I can swap them but then decided to keep them as they were.

I think you should keep the green scales... Ranger scales made by Wenger become rare...
I think also that Vic will not make East ranger and/or Rescue II again... Market not enough important, specific tools (long metal saw), etc...