Wenger Ranger

Sep

Sep

Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
1,679
I was looking for a NKP-friendly folder that's long enough to do some food processing at the office. I prefer it to lock for added safety. Basically it's going to serve as a kitchen paring knife, albeit a foldable one so I can pocket it and put it out of sight. Since the task is not demanding, I looked for an economical model.

The moment I saw the Wenger Ranger 51, I knew I got it. The knife has slender, conservative look made even less threatening by the swiss shield. The blade is 3.9" and full flat ground. It locks, and as a bonus it's one-hand open. All this for under $30.

At this low price I pulled the trigger and bought it right away (it's in transit). Any one of you has experience with Wenger Ranger? Until know I only got experience with Vic 111mm models. They shouldn't be too different, should they?
 
I have a Wenger Ranger 51 with pocket clip that I received as a bonus in a trade with a member of this forum - very generous of him. It's a nice knife. The push button lock release is pretty slick. The scales are a bit bulkier than those on my Victorinox One-hand Sentinel PE with pocket clip. I also greatly prefer the clip design on the Victorinox One-hand Sentinel. Either knife should work equally well for food prep. Let us know what you think about it when it arrives.

Edit: Almost forgot... Another difference is that the Ranger 51 lacks the toothpick and tweezer.
 
Last edited:
Here's a photo of my Ranger 51:
morablades.jpg
 
Thanks for the picture. It looks kinda thick, but I guess it's ok because I'm only gonna carry it between my office and the pantry.
 
Sep said:
Thanks for the picture. It looks kinda thick...
Click to expand...

No problem. Here's a quick (and ugly - sorry for the rainbow effect in the scan) comparison shot of the Ranger 51 and the One-hand Trekker. The Ranger is thickest at the middle and tapers off on the ends. In the middle, the Ranger is actually thicker than the One-hand Trekker. You can also see that the clip sticks out quite far.

trekker-ranger51.jpg


Sep said:
...I guess it's ok because I'm only gonna carry it between my office and the pantry.
Click to expand...

I don't know, man... how far is your office from the pantry? (j/k) :p On the plus side, the 4" blade is roughly 1/2" longer than the blade on the One-hand Sentinel. You might find the additional blade length useful in the kitchen.
 
I should mention... Not all of the Wenger knives have thick scales. Here's an older SwissBuck that's quite thin:

swissbuck-ranger51.jpg
 
Holy moly it is thick! That's a belt knife for sure, not a pocket knife. The 3-layer version must feel like a brick. I'm glad that I'm getting the one without pocket clip.
 
The scales seem to be mostly hollow so it's not very heavy but it does take up some space in a pocket. I also received a sheath in the trade but I'm pretty sure that the sheath was originally a separate purchase. I ended up removing the pocket clip since I felt that it got in the way of a comfortable grip.
 
I got the Ranger 51 today.

- Knife is rather bulky, this is definitely one of the thickest folders I have.
- Relatively light weight for the size because the plastic scales are hollow.
- Steel liners on both sides and an additional aluminum liner behind the locking side. This makes the knife more rigid but not as light as it could otherwise be.
- The blade is held closed and open by a back spring, but in the open position it's secured by a liner lock.
- The unique liner lock extends all the way to the handle spine, where it's actuated by the Wenger logo button.
- Ergonomically speaking, it's very good. It fills my medium hand nicely.
- The full flat ground blade is about 0.8" thick and tapers to the tip. This should make it an excellent slicer.
- The thin blade profile and relatively soft steel makes it really quick to sharpen. I don't like the rather crude factory edge, so I worked on it with my DMT setup and it didn't take long at all.
- Blade length is 3 3/4", but the cutting edge is just 3 1/4". Rather wasteful. Spyderco Endura at identical blade length has 3 1/2" cutting edge.
- There is noticeable up and down blade play. Not too bad, but can be annoying to people used to solid lockups.
- Blade is brush-finished and appear a bit crude.

Edit: I'm revising this review because now I'm convinced that I got a used knife instead of factory brand new.
- The Wenger logo/button is scratched up. There's no way it left the factory in that shape. People could be sloppy, but they have to be downright blind to let this through.
- The edge was sharp but rough, consistent with field sharpening.
- The dents on the spine.
- The rust spots.
- What I thought as rough edges around the thumb hole are actually pitting caused by rust. I remember because my LM has the exact same thing around its thumb hole, but after several years' worth of use.
 
Last edited:
Want one with:
Pocket Clip
One-hand opening, locking blade (PE/Serrated- no matter)
Corkscrew
Toothpick & tweezers
Rest of the blades (bottle/can opener, etc. immaterial)
Anybody know of one? I'll buy it Now.
 
Rugger said:
Want one with:
Pocket Clip
One-hand opening, locking blade (PE/Serrated- no matter)
Corkscrew
Toothpick & tweezers
Rest of the blades (bottle/can opener, etc. immaterial)
Anybody know of one? I'll buy it Now.
Click to expand...

The only pocket clip models from Vic and Wenger are single bladed ones. None has cork screw.
 
I have a 78 from the older Ranger line which had been a display model and I bought for cheap. Its pretty handy for food prep and such, since it's long enough that you don't get the handle and other tools dirty. I think you really made a good choice with getting the 51 though. I wish I had done the same.
 
I suggest the Vic Alpiner, 110mm, locking blade, corkscrew, tweezers, toothpick. It is thin, and lacks only the clip. I prefer the blade shape on this series than the OHT for kitchen work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top