# Are Wenger swiss army knives as good as Victorinox swiss army knives? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 6, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135 "2003-02-06T04:43:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/1 "2003-02-06T04:43:36Z")
Looking at some nicely priced Wengers on sale, but was just wondering if they are as good as the Victorinox knives? Any opinions. ---
**Author:** ![danvanf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@danvanf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danvanf)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/2 "2003-02-06T05:34:13Z")
I think they are comparable. I’m odd though, I actually carry one of each. The Action is different on both the pliers and sissors. Rather than a small spring, the Wenger uses a lever sprung back to the handle. It has much better spring action. The Logo on the Wenger rubs off in time. I didn’t care for that., I paid good money for that cross. The toothpick on both of them seem to disappear with the same regularity. I like the blades on both, edges seem to stay nice. My Wenger has a pointer small blade which is nice for cutting paper. I couldn’t say which one I use more, I grab the Wenger for trimming, the Victorinox the fine pliers work, Wenger for big pliers work, Victorinox for quick cutting plastic or paper sheets. Screwdrivers are about the same, I like the lether punch on the Victorinox better. Wenger opens cans better, Victorinox does better with bottles. My Wenger doesn’t have a file, the Victorinox’s file is Awsome. I’ve used the saw blade on the file to cut metal more than once. Dan ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/3 "2003-02-06T05:47:48Z")
In my experience, this is one of those wonderful and rare areas where you have to pick between a good thing and a good thing. I prefer Victorinox, marginally, but I couldn’t tell you why. Wenger won’t disappoint at all, and hey, a sale is a sale. ---
**Author:** ![Mnementh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mnementh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnementh)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/4 "2003-02-06T06:11:02Z")
Wenger is, in my opinion, superior. This is simply because of the action on the scissors and pliers, as noted above. I’ve replaced many, many Victorinox springs; the only problem I’ve seen with Wengers is the pivot screw loosening, which happens far less often and is easier to fix. Other than that, really, they’re very similar. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/5 "2003-02-06T12:48:01Z")
I have had both. Right now I am carrying some model of mid-level Wenger. The only problem I have had is like **danvanf** said. The logo is starting to wear off. That really ticks me off athough, other than that, it works great. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/6 "2003-02-06T12:51:50Z")
Wenger blades will occasionally fold closed on you while you are using them, & I’ve got the scar on my right hand to prove it! GO VIC! ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/7 "2003-02-06T16:28:46Z")
I have a [Victorinox knife](http://www.victorinox.com/newsite/en/produkte/produktdetails/detail.cfm?pid=1-3613) I’ve had since I was about ten years old. The toothpick and tweezers have been lost, and there was a small keyring which broke, but otherwise the knife is in fine shape. My father purchased a Wenger blade from L. L. Bean a few years after I got my blade and it simply did not last. The plastic fell off the sides and the scissors actually fell apart. I may be biased because I’ve never had a knife with scissors(they may all suck) but that didn’t sit well with me. My father may have heard something about the tendancy to fold unexpectedly because he purchased a model which had a lock for the blade. Still I’ve seen people who swear by Wenger and neither is a BAD choice. If it’s a good deal that can make a difference. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/8 "2003-02-06T16:38:03Z")
The Wenger I had fell apart, the two Victorinox knives have held up very well. Maybe it depends on the year of manufacture, or the particular plant. Remember the show _Mad About You_? I knew I didn’t like Paul Reiser’s character when his hot wife gave him a top-of-the-line Swiss Army Knife for a gift, and he just rolled his eyes. Dickweed. ---
**Author:** ![Gartog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/22d042/32.png) [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/9 "2003-02-06T16:49:23Z")
The Wenger I have has a corkscrew . . . . which broke, when opening a bottle. Although I think it’s still under guarantee. . . . . ---
**Author:** ![yawndave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/43a26b/32.png) [@yawndave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yawndave)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/10 "2003-02-06T18:13:55Z")
I’ve had both over the last 20 years or so, and they compare favorably to each other. However, I believe the overall quality of my 20-year old knife is better than the ones sold today. My old Victorinox still functions very well, but the one I got just 5 years ago has not stood up very well to identical conditions and use. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/11 "2003-02-06T19:09:31Z")
I like them both, and own both, but I could sum up a few pros and cons: Wenger: much better scissors and pliers, blades slightly heftier, but less variety both in tools and styles. Victorinox: Lots more options, tend to be more compact, but not as durable and don’t offer a locking blade in a pocket sized knife (at least as of last time I looked.) ---
**Author:** ![H8\_2\_W8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c77e96/32.png) [@H8\_2\_W8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H8_2_W8)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/12 "2003-02-06T21:34:25Z")
This has been the best SAK I’ve owned, and I’ve owned many of them: [http://www.penforyou.com/ZST6006PG31003PR7174.htm](http://www.penforyou.com/ZST6006PG31003PR7174.htm) The spring-loaded pliers are much handier than your standard issue Leatherman pliers and the screwdriver bits have come in handy several times also. I haven’t used the saw, yet, but I know I’ll need it for something, some day. The main blade is very strong as well. I keep it in my briefcase, since I cannot wear a knife on my belt around the office, but I have used it for several fix-it projects at work. I actually even bought a back-up of this model (but not for $72) just in case I ever lost it. I also carry a little Vic SAK on my key chain, in case I need scissors or a toothpick. Both companies make fine knives, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wenger-swiss-army-knives-as-good-as-victorinox-swiss-army-knives/153135/13 "2003-02-06T21:52:12Z")
For those who have lost tweezers and toothpicks, or have broken the scissor spring on your Victorinox: Hie thee to your local knife shop (Not Target or Walmart!). They have replacements- used to be $1.00 per tweezer or pick, .50C for scissor spring (installed). I prefer Victorinox. Why, I am not sure. The blades hold up about the same. They do have the same accoutrements (even corkscrews!). Prices- about the same. IMO, the style of the Victorinox is a bit cleaner.