Victorinox vs Wenger - Which is better?
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- Опубликовано: 27 июн 2021
- The age old question that nobody is asking, but I decide to answer anyway. For a larger, one handed opening Swiss Army Knife, what is the better choice? The classic Victorinox design, or the design that they acquired from Wenger?
Watch and let me know if you agree or disagree... 
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The can opener can drive a phillips head screw just fine, making the 79 (with corkscrew) the better bet for me. Corkscrew can do much more than just open wine, AND there are corkscrew inserts like various screwdrivers or the Fireant. I too ordered the 79 by accident, but kept it after learning all the corkscrew can do. (See Felix Immler of course)
Wonderful video, dude.
Only Americans care for one-hand closing (and the type of steel too). Not judging anyone here, but that's an interesting fact. Europeans will look into other things, such as quality, style, durability and the knife company's history/culture. Europeans use the corkscrew to pop wine bottles open. Americans use it to untie knots (really really funny). Over the years Victorinox has given in to American demands (HUGE market, so why not?) such as one-hand opening and a pocket clip (in a few models only). If the American market weren't so substantial, Victorinox would never have created these features because Europeans just don't care enough about them. To a large extent, Americans look at pocket knives as emergency/rescue tools, versus Europeans, who look at them to spread butter on bread, open a can, a wine bottle or a beer, go on a picnic, etc (though not an absolute rule, of course). I don't think there's a single European that has a 'bug out bag', but that's a smart thing to have and I command Americans for their culture of preparedness. Americans are always ready for Armageddon 😃.
It's in our nature. We see them as tools and as weapons, just as we do firearms. Tens of millions of us carry guns on a daily basis, which is a crazy concept to folks in other countries. I go back and forth on knives. My most common knife carried is either a SAK of some sort, a Spyderco, or maybe a Benchmade Bugout... One handed opening and pocket clips are for a couple reasons. Ease of carry and quick access. And here, we are allowed to carry locking and one handed opening blades. That's what you want if you had to use it to defend yourself from someone, or even an animal... But many times I am trying to hold something with one hand, and I have to retrieve and open the knife with the other... So the pocket clip means I always know where it is, and how it is oriented. And one handed opening, well that's self explanatory...
Locking, I see as less of a weapon and more of a safety device. Plenty of times I am trying to cut into a tough plastic package and you have the risk of slipping and having it close on your fingers.
In Russia, people tend to value knives in the American way rather than in the European one.
I travel often to Germany, from Guatemala, for work reason. I always carry a hidden push dagger. In more than one occation I have reached for it, because a German was looking menacing or screaming racial slurs at me. Never showed it, but in case I need it, I have it. At home I conceal carry. In America we like to be prepared.
Glad Russians like American knives but it seems like soon you’ll get to know Ukrainian-style knives too. You’ll appreciate their sharpness and resilience, trust me. They’ll take over the Russian market very very soon, wait for it.
I butter my baguette and have opened many a bottle of vin rouge with my SAK... I'm English so more European I suspect, and not expecting the zombie apocalypse in the next few weeks!
I always use the Wenger knife ist my handbag knife and what i really love about it is that the original has a Wenger knife originally have a glassbraker. I used it just ounces in a care creche but it was a literary a live sever.
Thank you for this video 👍👍
I have dozens of Victorinox Officers knives & wanted to purchase a larger model for heavier duty work.
I had been trying to decide between the 130mm Ranger Grip 78 & the 111mm Locksmith for ages & your video was really informative.
Based on your views I purchased the Ranger Grip 78 which I absolutely love.
Thanks again from New Zealand
Insightful video.
I bought the soldier knife for the one-handed opening function and I experienced the same issue as you described. I persevered for a week and then gave the knife to my left-handed friend who had no issue with closing.
Great review!
I was thinking which of these two models should I buy, I was undecided. Thanks, I saw your video. Wenger is big but I'm close to buying it.
I edc the same Ranger Grip 79 but with the green/black scales. I had a guy make me a custom leather case that goes on my belt. It’s not in my pocket so I forget it’s there, until I need it. Great knife!
GOOD ASSESSMENT! I HOPE VICTORINOX IS LISTENING!
When it comes to opening the back side instruments, use the tooth pick. Use the end that you pull it out of the knife with. It's perfect and it works.
Wenger
Thanks for this video, I was really curious to know about that locking mechanism and the different user experiences with the Wegner opening vs the Victorinox opening--so thanks for that. I do have a few questions regarding scissors. I was searching for the best multitool scissors and was trying to find more information on the different scissors' designs and their best use cases. Between Wenger / Delemont / Victorinox(?) I was curious to know if the spring metal was better or the end-mounted type like the Delemont? At what length is one better than another?
The model I was looking at in particular was the Victorinox RangerGrip 71 Gardener Knife (discontinued)
Honestly, I don't tend to get models with the scissors, apart from my Pioneer X ALOX, or maybe its the Farmer, I forget...
I find the Victorinox scissors to be the best pocket knife EDC scissors. They work extremely well, and the spring is replaceable, although I've never needed to replace it.
To fix the blade opening issues I would recommend adding a screw and locking nut to the blade opening like some knives do on their blades as an aid for opening some knife blades.
Damn I was pretty sure to get locksmith but after yours explanation I'm gonna consider wenger...Hard to find something for left handers :
for me with glove size 11 hands the 111mm is OK but the 130mm is perfect size. I have both the 111mm outrider and the 130mm rangergrip 79. i use the outrider around the house since it has the inline philips and the scissors but when im out in the woods i go for the ranger grip every time. superior both blade and saw makes it the better camping knife hands down. plus the locking mechanism is much better than newer 111mm, mine is an old one so it has the slide lock which works great but the push button on the RG79 is even better.
shoutout to my little pocket friend pioneer X
Is the Vic locksmith still in production? I’ve searched everywhere, can’t find any for sale! Help😮!!!
I think so... did you check their website, directly?
Did you get yourself a 78? Because I have one I want to swap for the 79. Let me know if you're interested.
The point of the blade is on purpose so it wont break off as easy as a thin point would, has a home over top of it so there's barely any tip out in front to be snapped off as easily when you're prying or digging or cutting or batoning or anyting. Its for tip strength.
That makes some sense, but it makes the blade a poor piercing tool. And on the SAK's that don't have locking blades, I feel like that makes them less safe, because you have to put a lot more pressure on it to pierce something, and if it slips, that would not be fun...
@@SquireSCA exactly my first pocket knife had a blade like the traditional Swiss army knife, and I was trying to open something when I was a kid and it literally shut on my fingers cutting 3 of them pretty badly. So I do agree I was just saying simply why they did what they did haha 🤣
@@SquireSCA said I'd rather have a sharp tip for safety just like a sharp knife is safer.
The best 110mm model, is the Rucksack, It has the best grip and size and the tools that you need,without being heavy or thin.The only model for the outdoors, with zero cons. The Forester than looks very similar, it isn't the same at all. It's way too heavy for the pocket and the knife doesn't cut as good, as on the Rucksack.I also don't like it's locking mechanism, because it's akward,where the locking on Rucksack, is a dream to use. The saw also cuts faster on the Rucksack, which is also the knife ,that Ethan Becker and other famous knife designers and knifemakers, carry every day!! You should give it a try, to see what I'm talking about.
I ordered a trekker and was very disappointed they put out such a poorly functioning knife. Returned it asap. Ordered the 79 and much happier with it. Still not great for one hand but an improvement, and soooo much easier to close right handed. To me they are both a camping/hiking knife not my preference for edc
I bought these same two knifes to compare the deployment. In my case the Locksmith SAK opens easier than the Ranger Wenger. I guess is the thumb size the one that is determinant. The blade part is the same, Wenger seems better built. The opening part is really weird, the Locksmith is supposed to be easier to opem due to the torque (smae force x distance to pivot) than the Ranger. That is rhe behavior I had, which is explained by the theory.
They are both well made enough, but the Ruike I feel is the stronger, better made knife
What about the zip tie mod? Wouldn’t that solve the problem?
And the gimping seems like an easy mod to me. Tell me if I’m wrong, you could try.
zip tie mod? Not sure I am familiar with that one...
@@SquireSCA you put a zip tie around the hole. Very famous with spydercos
I'm thinking that the locksmith is supposed to be opened with your right index finger
The reason for the One Hand Opening hole, is that it makes it posible to open it with gloves on.
Which I guess makes sense. Its nice that it gives the option, but I guess that my expectations of it flicking open like most knives that have a thumbhole, isn't realistic...
The locksmith knife with the file allows you to file a flathead grove in screws that are raised and stripped out for other bits. Then just use the flathead screwdriver and remove the stripped screws.
I didn't get what your problem is with the first Victorinox, the slim one without the hole in its blade. You said it was kind of perfect, but still you were looking for a replacement. Why? Only because you can't close it with your right hand?
Yeah, the lack of one handed opening, and it being wonky to close with the right hand...
@@SquireSCA What's the problem with using two hands?
@@michavandam Convenience. Oftentimes, what needs cutting is being held in one hand, so I need to draw the knife with the other, open it, cut it, close it and slide it back into my pocket... Doing that smoothly with one hand makes it all easier.
@@SquireSCA You're probably right, but I can't imagine what you cut.
@@michavandam Anything that needs cutting. I like the option available to me. There are plenty of times where I carry a classic slipjoint... But my preference is a one handed opening and locking knife... You never know what life will throw at you... Maybe you will need to defend yourself, who knows...
PS The cockscrew choice, adds more utility making the tool more versatile, than the choicce of the screwdriver. That's why because you can use other tools and the flat screwdriver, to do the same job the crosshead screwdriver can. Cockscerw as all Victorinox tools ,are designed to work for way more than just one use. Just the ability, to untie knots, is enough to choose the corkscrew, over the screwdriver, that you already have tha function, on other tools on all SAKS.
The only thing I ever use the corkscrew for is to hold a small ferro rod, honestly... I use a proper philips driver almost daily...
I'm replacing my forester with the 79. The forester will go to my son who is left-handed ( 1-H-O problem solved)
Next time lay them all next to each other for size comparison.
Get both
With the arthritis in my hands, every folder is an open close two hand operation.
Yeah, that's a good point. I am not there yet, but its probably just a matter of time...
The Wenger’s blade placement and lock button location makes it really unsuitable for lefties.
Sadly, so many blades follow that trend.
Wenger actually made some left handed knives in the regular Swiss army size.
German army commission this knife 15 years ago, and you say it's a poor effort. Many army's use that single handed blade swiss rme knife.
Use it for what? And no offense, but there have been plenty of military contracts awarded based on the lowest bidder.
I like the knife, I have several of them, but I do wish that the one handed opening was a little better designed.
@@SquireSCA German standard issue, swiss standard issue and us army standard issue knife. Sharp and reliable, not too affected by dirt and the left handed open and close means you can still use your side arm and get the knife out or put it away.
@@leadreplacement Why did the DoD change to the M17/M18 platform? Modularity. One size doesn't always fit all. They wanted a platform that was reliable and accurate and all that... but they also wanted something modular that offered easy maintenance, as well as the ability to quickly and easily change grip modules to be able to accommodate different sized hands, etc...
I have two of the Rangergrip SAK's, as well as a couple ALOX folders, a Trekker, an Adventurer, etc... I just find that for me, their one handed opening knives are a bit awkward and clumsy.
These knives have the lock on the wrong side. Left handed people can open and close them one handed but they make less than 10% of the population. There, you said it. It’s a terrible mistake by Victorinox. I should had stayed with my faithful Kersaw Chill.
Company merger. That is why they still make the superior knives. They've meddled too much. The thumb opening sucks. If that is what you want, add a thumb stud. Bring back the clip point blade and give us more options to drop the cork screw.
I actually found my ideal SAK stye knife that combines a point drop point blade, thumb stud opening with liner lock facing the correct directly for right handed people, G10 handle scales, a pocket clip and better steel... The Ruike LD21BL, with a tool swap mod. Did a video of it a couple weeks ago, check it out
Spend 8 bucks on a Buck thumb stud !
It’s all Victorinox now. Wenger is gone. Deal with it.
Deal with it? How do you mean?
You are not at all considering LEFT HANDED operators.
For them, all of the EXACT opposite of what you are saying is true.
Only 10% of the worlds population is left handed. Having some models catering to them is one thing…. Making your entire product line cater to the 10% and not the other 90%, seems odd to most of us, that’s all.
Your video does not match your title bud.
What do you mean? One is the classic Vic model, and the other is the Wenger style that Vic bought, but still makes in the older Wenger style...
You're just making up stuff with that not holding it in the exact place. Do you also have a problem taking a piss? If you change your angle just ever so slightly one way when you take a piss you piss on the seat. If you change your aim ever so slightly the other way you piss on the ceiling. Life is rough.
Riiiight... It a one handed opener requires you to shift your grip or practice to get it to work, then its not a good design.
It was a knife never intended for one handed opening. The one handed part, was an afterthought...
When a knife is designed to be one handed, the ergos more readily lend themselves to it, like a Spyderco Para2, for example... This knife, doesn't. They took a two handed design and added a thumb loop to it after the fact and it simply doesn't work AS WELL. I didn't say you couldn't do it, I just said that it was much more awkward, as is the lock going in the opposite direction of literally every other frame/liner lock knife in existence...
@@SquireSCA You're right. The comment was funny, though. Also, at least the hole makes it easier to open when wearing gloves. I have the knife, and just today I filed the tip down to a spear point. Works like a charm
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Corkscrew is useless
Agreed. I have literally zero need for that.
I open about 10 bottles of wine per month with them. Not useless at all in my case. Actually one of the tools I use most often.
Same with the can opener. People always say that nowadays cans have the ring opening, but I work in a remote location in rural Brazil, and always bring some canned corn&peas that need the can opener.
@@pudimdecana51 Its one of those tools where if you need it, its perfect. I really don't drink, so having a tool like that just takes up space for something that I would use every day, like a philips screwdriver...
@@SquireSCA agreed. The best tools for you are the ones you use the most.
It’s not a tactical knife it’s a survival knife. It’s meant to b simple. It’s that easy. Great review tho. Much appreciated 🙏🏻🥷🏻Oss
Absolutely... Everyone needs a few SAK's in their collection and EDC rotation...