Vic Classic vs. Wenger Esquire: Pros and Cons of Each?

[5K Qs]

While on vacation last August, I bought a used Wenger Esquire at an antique shop. I assumed it was an "exact twin" of the Vic Classic I regularly carried and used before I "upgraded" to a Minichamp. This morning I finally put the Esquire in my pocket for the first time as part of this week's pocket knife selection, and I've discovered over the course of the day that the Esquire and the Classic are NOT identical by any means! Some differences I've noted so far:
1) the Esquire's scissors seem to have tiny serrations
2) no flathead screwdriver head on the end of the file blade of the Esquire
3) the Esquire's keyring is on the opposite end of the knife from the pivot of the cutting blade.

I don't have enough experience yet to know which knife these differences favor (although I've always thought the Classic having it's keyring where the blades open was a cumbersome design feature). If you have experience with both models, what do you see as their pros and cons?

Here's a photo of my Esquire:

Thanks for your input!

- GT

 

[a.manbug]

I believe the Classic is 58mm while the Esquire is 65mm (so a bit longer). The Classic can be purchased almost anywhere while the Esquire is no longer manufactured (as far as I know) as Wenger is no more. The toothpick and tweezers are on the outside with the Classic and inboard with the Esquire. The Classic scissors uses a replaceable spring (which can break over time) while the Esquire has that bar that is built in. I can't comment on the precision of the scissors on the Esquire or how good the serrations are in comparison to the non-serrated Vic scissors as I don't own an Esquire. As for the Esquire not having a screw driver tip, Vic Classics are also available with the nail cleaner tip as well (Vic Classic Vs Vic Classic SD). I believe that the positioning of the key ring attachment may serve to emphasize which tool each company (in this case Vic and Wenger) assumes will be used more on the respective models. In the Classic's case, it's the scissors, while on the Esquire, it's the small pen blade. I personally carry a Vic Signature with me (which is a Classic with a retractable pen) and I keep it separate from my keys, thus eliminating the struggle of having to use the pen blade while having to grasp a loaded key ring.

 

[leghog]

The Wenger scissors are better especially with the back spring providing the power. Regardless, I found the scissors on both to be so small as to be nearly useless. I've owned both the Wenger and the Victorinox. The Wenger once road on my key chain. The Victorinox never made that grade.

 

[Piso Mojado]

The Esquire is now 0.6423 Executive 81, part of the Delémont Collection in Victorinox's 2015 catalog.

Like all rebranded Delémont SAKs with tweezers and toothpick, the scales have been adapted for Victorinox tweezers and toothpick.

Victorinox and Wenger scissors differ slightly, and some dislike one or the other. I have carried both, but I haven't used them enough to form an antipathy. If I used small scissors a lot, I would carry a Misuzugawa or Yujiro thread cutter.

Wenger's Microlight Esquire used two batteries instead of one and it was 50% brighter than Victorinox's Swisslite. If you want a key chain knife with an LED, Wenger is the one to get. It is out of production but easy to find as a closeout.

 

[leghog]

So Victorinox did keep Wenger's backspring powered scissors. The need to use that on ALL of their scissors.

 

[supergnat]

So Victorinox did keep Wenger's backspring powered scissors. The need to use that on ALL of their scissors.

I have several of the Wenger 85mm models with scissors and I have mixed feelings about them. They are less capable of cutting tough material like cardboard or plastic and give the impression of bending when you're pressing hard on them to cut something tough. I've never actually damaged them, but
there have been occasions when I abandoned an attempt to cut something with them and instead retrieved the 91mm Vic scissors to complete the cut.

However, I use the Wenger scissors a lot for the simple reason that Vic no longer makes scissors on their 84mm models. If Victorinox resumed selling their Salesman or Small Camper models, my Wenger Traveler and Classic 18 would probably become shelf queens.

I EDC a Leatherman Micra, but vastly prefer to use SAK scissors for precision cuts. Who knew?

 

[Piso Mojado]

Size comparison:

1. Victorinox Stylus Personal Digital Assistant, 58mm (stylus instead of Classic Signature's pen)
2. Wenger Microlight Esquire, 65mm (Esquire with an LED penlight instead of the toothpick)
3. Victorinox Ambassador, 74mm

The Microlight Esquire has a 3.5mm white LED powered by two 3V lithium button batteries (CR 1220). It is 50% brighter than the white LED in 58mm Victorinox SAKs, and 200–300% brighter than the 2mm red LED Victorinox originally used. The batteries are mounted in a sliding tray and easy to replace. You can see them through the translucent back scale below Wenger's low profile light switch.

I would like to see an enhanced Ambassador with a two battery LED and a double-ended retractable pen/stylus. I would go right out and buy one — I wouldn't even wait for a TSA confiscation!

 

[Scoop65]

Get out. Amazing knowledge put forth in this thread.

 

[pinnah]

The Wenger scissors are better especially with the back spring providing the power. Regardless, I found the scissors on both to be so small as to be nearly useless. I've owned both the Wenger and the Victorinox. The Wenger once road on my key chain. The Victorinox never made that grade.

Heretic.

 

[leghog]

Heretic.

No. Just a man who knows what works best for him. I prefer the Wenger SI over the Victorinox Soldier too.

 

[jackknife]

No. Just a man who knows what works best for him. I prefer the Wenger SI over the Victorinox Soldier too.

Definitely!!

 

[Corwyn_bv]

So Victorinox did keep Wenger's backspring powered scissors. The need to use that on ALL of their scissors.

Meh. I really hate Wenger scissors. The serrations make it useless for paper and fingernail cutting, while the lever makes them be bouncy and cut in a curve.
On paper it sounds really nice: self sharpening, no pesky spring, but they are the reason I stopped carrying my dear Wenger S14 and reverted back to a Victorinox Compact.

 

[Flint Hills]

Here's my take: I like the size of the Wenger Esquire but prefer the Classic because it seems to be of better quality. I prefer the Vic scissors and the Vic has better opening/closing action on all tools than the Wenger, at least on my examples.

 

[Dunhill]

Here's my take: I like the size of the Wenger Esquire but prefer the Classic because it seems to be of better quality. I prefer the Vic scissors and the Vic has better opening/closing action on all tools than the Wenger, at least on my examples.

Totally agree. Switched between both on my keychain for at least 20 years. The size of the Esquire is near perfect for us office dwellers during the week IMHO, but the serrated scissors are annoying. Still, I'm thinking of buying a new blue Esquire before they disappear just because I've always dug the color/ cellidor.