School me on Swiss Army Knives

Wenger or Victorinox... Is one better than the other?

I'm looking to purchase a couple, but my head is spinning looking through all the options. I am looking for one larger model to pocket carry on a daily basis and a couple smaller models to throw in pocuhes on a few knives or on keychains. Any recommendations?

Neither, the steel on SAK's has always been on the soft side, and from my experience the tools don't do any of the tasks they are designed for particularly well. IMHO stick with a good EDC folder and multitool for you and smaller versions of the same for kits.

When last I knew Victorinox bought Wenger. They are ok knives for what they are. I prefer the real military pattern ones because the blades are thicker or at least seem to be thicker. I don't have much use for the variety of odd tools they have so the slimmer and more basic military models suit me fine. The swiss also made some for the German Army that have green plastic scales and an eagle on them, they are nice too.

Supposedly the aluminum scale Swiss army sldier knife is obsolete, replaced with one of the larger locking blade ones. If that is the case it will be getting a lot harder to get the aluminum one.


The Real Swiss army issue knife:


The newer Swiss Army issue replacement with locking blade etc:


The German Army issue example made by Victorinox:


The current replacement made by Victorinox:


I have all 4 of those and a variety of other civilian models. All in all I greatly prefer the 4 above and of them I prefer the older models- the new ones are on the big side for EDC IMHO.

Victorinox does own Wenger, but they are still managed as separate companies, & have different product lines. Both are good, but I prefer Victorinox.

If I'm dressed, I literally am never without a Vic Classic of some sort. I have one on every keychain I use. It's Vic's most-sold knife, & is very versatile,
even given it's small size.

Probably my favorite SAK is a Vic Super Tinker: 91mm, large & small blades, can opener/screwdriver, caplifter/screwdriver, scissors, awl, and Phillips
screwdriver rather than corkscrew. Some models may also have a hook on the back. All have tweezers & toothpick, & if you get Plus scales, you will
also have a straight pin, and an ink pen. It's a good size to carry; my wife even has one. I've carried one for years.

Close to it is the Vic Explorer; 91mm, but adds an in-line Phillips & a magnifying glass, while restoring the corkscrew (into which you can, & should, insert
the small eyeglass screwdriver that's available).

The 93mm Alox models (aluminum scales) do have beefier blades. The Vic Pioneer is essentially the Soldier (the issue SAK for years, until recently), but
with color anodized scales, & a keyring. I like the keyring, because it allows me to add a lanyard. The Vic Farmer is the same knife, with the addition of
a saw blade. Many people like it as a woods knife.

My favorite SAK for camping & woods use is the 108mm German Army Knife (aka the Safari series). It does not have tweezers or toothpick, or scissors.
GAKs are also what I have stashed in a kit or two, paired with a Classic, which provides the things the GAK lacks, but I find quite useful.

Here's a link to the SAKwiki, which should help you in your search.

The steel in SAKs is, I believe, Sandvik 12C27 stainless, a very good steel. I prefer a convex edge on my knives, and SAKs readily convert to convex,
and take & hold a hair-popping edge.

Good luck.

David

I'm a victorinox fan. I've been carrying a Tinker model every day for about 20 years. Great knife.

Had several, lose them. My experience is that the tools work fine, very good. If you want tools which don't actually work then get SOG.

I love Swiss Army knives and keep buying new ones. I prefer Victorinox but there is probably not much difference with Wenger. They come very sharp, I've cut myself too many times with them. They hold an edge well, so much better than all the Chinese junk. Wish they were cheaper so I could buy a bunch of them to stick in packs. The midsized ones seem the handiest, but if you want a larger one I would consider the new green one MPi showed. Best prices seem to be online.

I drop a Victorinox 1 handed Trekker in my pocket, attached to a fire tool and a pocket sharpener, when I go out in the woods and am carrying a fixed blade knife. The saw has been especially useful for making notches.

alox handled Farmer (Victorinox).... the awl is on the end where you can really use it..good saw for fine work.... if you can carry the weight, the Swiss Tool

If you could only own one SAK...it should the farmer. Good knife.

Thanks guys for all the replies!

I ordered an Alox Farmer and a Trekker so far.

The Victorinox Pioneer in this picture has been my EDC for years. I bought it around 1981 or '82.

I love my Swiss Tool RS. I carried that thing through countless military schools and a deployment. It is the most solid multitool I have ever used. I cannot recommend the Swiss Tool enough.

I also keep a SAK classic with glow in the dark scales on my keychain.

There isn't much in my day to day life I cannot handle with this combination.

My first was a wenger back in the '80s, all since have been victorinox. I love them. The minis are damn handy, and I like the ones set up like the ranger, climber, outrider, fieldmaster, etc.

Having read all the responses so far, and meaning no disrespect to the SAK experts posting here, I'm going with this.

SAKs are light-duty tools, and the blade steel does not hold an edge well. IMHO, they are best suited as pants pocket tools when carrying anything with more bulk is impractical. If you buy a SAK, remember to stay within the tool's limits, learn how to sharpen it, and carry something that will accomplish the sharpening task. The more you use the blade, the more you will need to sharpen it.

Don't get me wrong: they are fine for their intended purposes, and I have several. Just don't ask them to do something that they were not designed to do.

I have an explorer model for 12 or so years and an officer model that went to afghanistan with me. Personally, I love SAKs and think they're underrated as tools. Ive used mine for so many things I can't even begin to list them all. I wouldn't reccomed it as your only knife, but I wouldn't go without one, either.

Victorinox Farmer, SD Classic, and One Handed Trekker (Plain Edge) are what you want.

The Silver Alox Farmer is my favorite for stashing in kits because of its size and thicker blade. The Alox scales are bombproof and seem to make the knife sturdier. (ETA, the awl location is supremely useful over the other SAK models, save for the Pioneer/Solider which are setup the same as the Farmer).

The SD Classic is on my keychain and gets used all the time, really sharp scissors and mainblade. Very useful for trimming nails, in fact I prefer it over regular nail clippers.

The One Handed Trekker is my EDC. It has one handed opening, thick blade, and all the important tools. The nylon scales hold up really, really well compared to the typical plastic scales on the other SAK's. My only gripe is that it needs a pocket clip, but that can be easily remedied with modifications.



I've had several other models (Camper, Huntsman, ect...), but the ones listed above are the models I kept and got multiples of.

I prefer the softer, stain resistant, steel on the Victorinox blades. It does require touching up more than the new super steels, but it's so easy to do and get them incredibly sharp. They won't chip out like the harder steels so you can use (abuse) them a bit more (like cutting on a glass/metal surface and other foolishness)

Very nice setup!

All very true. I carry a victorinox explorer because it's the only way to carry a couple of sharp knives, two screwdrivers, a can and bottle openers, a magnifying glass, reamer, corkscrew and scissors in a package small enough that I forget it's in my pocket. Use any of these tools and it's immediately apparent that they are a compromise for convenience. Still wouldn't leave home without it.

I like SAKs and often keep one as a back up in my pack or kit. I prefer the locking bladed SAKs (Rucksack, Outrider, Trekker, etc.), but I do like the size of the Farmer Alox models. I do have a couple of the Wegner models; can’t remember the exact model, but it also has a locking blade and it’s a great little model.

The legendary Ron Hood ALWAYS carried a locking blade SAK Rucksack model with him and it’s one of those knives he had dummy corded against loss for worse case scenarios.

As mentioned, they can be used for a lot of cutting tasks and their wood saws (on the longer, locking blade versions) are excellent; but use them within their limitations. I say that not only for SAKs, but any folding knife or multitool in general.

For serious woods use and not just something to toss in the pocket for EDC, I really like the Trekker, Rucksack (I think no longer produced) and the Outrider. It depends on your needs. I do like having scissors, but the wood saw and reamer are the most used. Having the locking blade allows you to do a little more without fear of the blade folding on you as well. I do have the smaller (non-locking) Farmer model in some kits but it’s one of the more sturdier slip-lock designs for that type of knife.

Regarding the "soft" blade steel is really a non-issue if you do any amount of touching up or sharpening your blades. The SAK blades can be quickly stropped or touched up to razor sharpness and they'll last long enough for most tasks or trips. I own a lot of "super steels" and the SAKs performance is quite good for what it is. Another bonus is that the blades are thinner than most standard pocket folders and often very effective as a slicing edge.

ROCK6

Has anyone actually used the warrantee? I remember when I was a kid people used to make a big deal about the supposed lifetime warrantee, I think i remember Colin Fletcher or someone going on about it. I've never taken advantage of it though...




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Oh and the German Army Knives (GAK)are particularly cheap right now because of the transition to the newer style- If anyone is interested in that style now is a great time to buy one. They are made by a variety of companies including Victorinox, I've tried different ones and they seem to be more or less equal in quality.

old Special Forces trick... dummy cord the SAK to one end of about 36" paracord, and a Bic lighter to other with a couple of feet of duct tape.... hitch through your belt, and slip in pocket.... for most the Bic is more convenient, and always good to have the duct tape

I have a variety of SAK's. I like the Pioneer and Recruit (or Soldier- whichever one doesn't have the lanyard loop, and I'm not talking about the keychain ring). The Recruit/Soldier is also nice if you have a K31. They are not my EDC's, but, if I have another pocket open, I'll throw one in.

Yes, I have returned several over the years. Some were simply repaired, others were replaced outright with the current equivalent model.
No quibbling, no problems.

David

I guess there is always one.

I like the Super Tinker quite a bit.

That said, I like one-handed opening and pocket clips, so I carry a Leatherman Charge TTi.

I have one of the older ones and a newer one. The newest gets carried in my gear everywhere and used quite a bit.

Pictured here:



I live in the Rockies, do a lot of outdoors activities and find if very handy for what I do.
It is a pretty practical size.

I think that they are both good, but prefer the VIctorinx (if you can find one that has all that you need).

MPi, you said the old style German Army knives were cheap now, where are you finding them? When I look online I keep seeing the new style.

I bought the old style German Army Knives on ebay. There were like 5 makers for the German Army including Victorinox. One of mine is made by I.C.A.R. and has been great, I think they were all held to the same standard so I wouldn't get hung up on just getting a Victorinox made one. Most are used, some are in better shape than others.

Thanks for letting me know, I'll try to get one today!

These things are addictive!

So far i have bought new/used or traded for:

One Handed Trekker
4 Classics
Tinker
Army Compact
Alox Cadet
Alox Farmer
One Handed Sentinel

Next on my wish list is a Swisschamp.

I've got a drawer full of them.

Several years ago Pennsylvania was selling TSA take-aways on eBay in lots of 10 - 20 knives and you could get them for about $2.50 a knife.

Even after I culled the bad ones and gave a bunch away I still have around 30.

I carried a marlboro edition Victorinox for over a decade, To include 4 years in the Marines and a tour in Iraq in 03. Best knife I have ever owned. unfortunately I lost it.
I replaced it with a swisstool, I use this thing EVERY DAY. And I use it hard, As a machinist I use it often at work instead of going to my box to grab Pliers or a screwdriver.
All the knife blades are accessible without opening the pliers, and when you use the pliers, the edges of the handles are rolled in so that your not trying to squeeze on the edges of 1/16" steel. The first thing people say when I let them use it is how comfortable it is compared the thier leathermans etc.
One of these will eventually be bug out bags for each of my family members. (I trust my wife and kids lives to them, so that's gotta tell you something.)
I only wish I could choose what blades etc. I could have on it. I would really love to trade this wire stripper/crate opener thingy for a magnifying glass like my knife had.

I've owned a few of both Wenger and Victorinox SAK's. The best SAK I've owned and used has been a Wenger Highlander. That knife held up to years of daily carry and use. Outside of the Wenger Highlander I've also owned and used Victorinox One-Handed Trekkers (did not like due to the serrated blade), Vic Hiker (too heavy for EDC in dress trousers) and Vic Classic (worthless).

ETA: I've had three Highlanders...lost one, gave one to my wife and still have one. I had two or three of the Trekkers, but the serrated blade was a deal killer for me.

The Trekker is available in Non-serrated.

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