Wenger Knives: Makers of the Genuine Swiss Army Knife

As you may know Swiss Army Knives have had two different brands for over 100 years. One of these brands are Wenger who joined in on the Swiss Army Knife in 1908 and of course Victorinox who first created the Swiss Army Knife 20 years earlier. These companies have been competitors ever since and will continue to be even after being bought out by Victorinox in 2005.

Since 2005 Wenger have been developing more new products that specifically have unique handles. Each company also has taken their separate titles. Wenger taking "Genuine Swiss Army Knife" and Victorinox taking "Original Swiss Army Knife".

Most people either like one or the other company better, and Wenger definitely has their fan base. This has shown with their ability to keep separate from Victorinox for nearly 100 years. Both however make good quality Swiss Army Knives. Wenger like Victorinox are also known for their good quality watches and kitchen knives.

Wenger is a lot like Victorinox in the respect that they add a lot of innovative attachments and additions onto their knives. This is seen in one of their simplest knives available the EvoGrip. Like the name suggests they have a non traditional grip that allows for a more overall efficient experience when gripping the knife. Like most versions of Swiss Army Knives they have several different version of this knife, from simple to complex. The simplest version of the EvoGrip has the following features and tools:

• Advanced rubber grip
  
• Nail File
• Nail Cleaner
• Keyring
• Blade
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Toothpick
• 0.7 oz weight
• 2.5 inch closed length

This is actually a decent amount of things for a simple model, and you get the nice grip. More complex models in this series include things like nail clippers, rulers, corkscrews, more/better blades, and pliers (which are not common on Victorinox knives). Overall the simple model is only $21 list price which is a cheap price for a nice knife.

As previously stated Wenger makes innovations where a lot of companies don't such as the handle. They also make great locking systems in their knives. You can see this in their Evolution series which features new locking systems along with their non-slip handles. Again also has many different models, but I will be discussing a more complex model. The features of this model include everything from the last model and:

• Wire stripper
• Cap lifter
• Can opener
• Reamer
• Awl
• Corkscrew
• Screwdriver
• Locking features on the knife and Screwdriver
• 3.25 inches closed length
• 2.6 oz
  

As you can tell this knife includes a lot more than the last model. I think their locking system is great and is something that Swiss Army Knives always miss on. This of course hits a little higher on the price at $43. Some of the more advanced models include things like saws and pliers.

The Evolution Series also includes a wood series called the EvoWood. Which offers everything the Evolution series offers, but comes in a really slick wood finish. They cost much more though starting at $50 but end with more overall tools than the highest grade Evolution Lock.

The Ranger series is something that is fairly odd in the Swiss Army brand. These are actually normal folding knives. As their price goes up so does the complexity adding traditional attachments. These include both of the features of the two previous series, but the lower costing ones do not have the attachments just the knife. Some of the few features are:

• One hand opening locking knife (3.9 inches).
• Non-slip grip.
• Keyring.
• 5.1 inch closed length.
• 3.2 oz.

What immediately struck me upon seeing this knife's specs are that it was fairly lengthy and heavy compared to other Wenger models. I have not personally used this knife, but it's probably a pretty good knife. At $30 it's not extremely costly either. As the price gets higher they add some of the common attachments that the EvoGrip has and some of the Evolution Lock attachments.

Like Victorinox they also have their unique purpose knives.  For Wenger these include things like nail clippers found in the EvoGrip and EvoLock series and flashlights found on the Micro Light models. I am really fond of these types of attachments. 

Wenger has been rival to the Victorinox brand for nearly 100 years, but has proven that they make quality products also. In their EvoGrip model they make innovative grips, EvoLock innovative locking mechanisms, and in Ranger series they take an unusual turn in the Swiss Army brand and make an ordinary pocket knife.  Hope this helps anyone looking for Wenger products and that wanted to learn more about them!