Return of the Minigrip - The letdown

[magentus]

So I got my Minigrip back from repair from Wenger and have had a real chance to use it this week while I've been off work.

Wenger sent it back within the 6 weeks max they promised and have not only repaired the lock on the pliers but also replaced the scales so in that respect I'm happy and grateful.

This is the only Wenger I own so I don't know if the following faults are common in Wengers but maybe someone can let me know;

There seems to be a lot of play with the blade, openers and awl. I don't like the thin blade so much and the awl isn't a patch on the Vic equivilent.

I love the design of the whole thing - quite quirky. The plier seems well made but there are too many compromises for it to be fully functional as a tool, ie using the blade, saw and file with the plier handle in the way.

I really like the locking mechanism on the bottle opener and wish Vic would adpot that idea.

I'm impressed with Wengers warranty policy but overall not that impressed with the Minigrip.

Thoughts/opinions etc please................

[AimlessWanderer]

I had one and you pretty much summed up my thoughts on it. Nice as a collectors item, quirky and interesting in design, but not a very practical working tool in my opinion. I liked it but couldn't put it to effective use, so I traded mine away.

[magentus]

I had one and you pretty much summed up my thoughts on it. Nice as a collectors item, quirky and interesting in design, but not a very practical working tool in my opinion. I liked it but couldn't put it to effective use, so I traded mine away.

Yes......I think I might trade mine for something I'll use.

[kirk13]

I have one,and whilst I agree with what you both say,I'm keeping mine!I can think of more than a few situations where this would beat the hell out of a LM/SOG/Gerber in term of sheeple friendliness

[ICanFixThat]

I can relate to what's been said.  I do like the tool, and I have a couple I'll hang onto more for the collection, but I do like using them sometimes just for fun, and because I don't have many other options with square nose pliers.  I really like the looks of the IronGrip version.

I think it's really quite a good tool for the glove box or kitchen draw, more so that as a regular EDC item that gets a lot of use.

Great to hear that Wenger fixed it up. 

[magentus]

Great to hear that Wenger fixed it up.

Agreed - I can't fault their service at all - Brilliant especially in these times when nearly everything is made with a limited lifetime in mind - 'chuck and replace it' mentality. The main tool (pliers) is excellent, I'm just disappointed that the other bits that essentially make it a Wenger aren't as well thought out or executed (save for the superb locking driver/bottle opener)

I will keep hold of it for a while until I've made my mind up properly about it.

Others may be able to sympathise with the feeling of having a SAK you're not quite sure of that could be traded for something off the 'wants' list - A Wenger Alox Soldier, or a Farmer or even a Cybertool.