Victorinox vs Wenger Knives

Victorinox History

Victorinox was founded in 1884 by Karl Elsener in Ibach, Switzerland. The company first delivered knives to the Swiss army in 1891(after coming close to bankruptcy during its first few years).

Upon the death of the founder's mother in 1909, he used her name (Victoria) as a brand name. When stainless steel was introduced in 1921 the company added inox (inoxidizable, or stainless) to the brand name.

Currently the company manufactures about 7 million Swiss Army knives per year, plus 9 million other multi-tools, and 9 million kitchen knives and other knives.The company is now managed by Carl Elsener, third generation of the Elsener family.

Wenger History

Wenger & Co SA was founded in 1893 by Paul Bouchat (bought out and renamed by Theo Wenger in 1898). The company first delivered knives to the Swiss army in 1901 (possibly earlier).

For a while, Wenger was also enamored with stainlessness, and marketed a Wengerinox knive.

Wenger was purchased by Victorinox in April 2005, but still continues to run as an independent subsidiary.

Victorinox vs Wenger

Which company makes the better Swiss Army knife? It's a tough choice, since both companies make a top quality knife, and both have continued to innovate.

It seems that a majority of people prefer Victorinox knives, for the following reasons:

• Better fit and smoother overall finish
• Better locking action on blades
• Tougher toothpick
• Tighter scissors
• Can opener contains a screwdriver too
• Awl makes a better drill
• More variety of features

However, many folks prefer Wenger knives, for these reasons:

• Microserrations on the scissors cut tough materials more easily
• Tougher spring on scissors
• Can opener is better at opening cans
• Better corrosion resistance in salt water
• Toothpick and tweezers are less likely to fall out and get lost
• More large knives with nail files
• More knives with serrated blades
• Blade lock available on many models

HINT-- At SmartKnives.com we offer both brands of Swiss Army knife. Since our used knives are so inexpensive, you can get one of each type, and make your own comparison!

Tool Exclusives

Most of the basic blades and tools are found on both Victorinox and Wenger knives, but there are a few tools that are exclusive to one brand or the other. If you want want one of these, then the brand decision will be very easy!

These tools are found only on Victorinox knives:

• Belt Cutter
• Chisel
• Cuticle Pusher
• Gutting Blade
• Hook
• Marlinspike
• Orange Peeler
• Pen

These tools are found only on Wenger knives:

• Collapsible Pointer
• Compass
• Detachable Hex Wrench
• Hook Sharpener
• Laser Pointer
• Ski Wax Applicator
• Snap Shackle
• Spoke Wrench
• Wrench

Factoids

Victorinox is the "original" Swiss Army knife, and Wenger is the "official" Swiss Army knife.

For many years the Swiss government split its knife contracts equally between the two countries, perhaps as a way to keep peace between the German speaking parts of Switzerland (Victorinox) and the French speaking regions (Wenger).

Neither brand of Swiss Army knife comes with a duct tape dispenser (hint hint).

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