My EDC is the Pioneer X Alox, which I've had for like 4-5 years. It is as slim as the Compact, but it comes in a more durable Alox body. Although it could have replaced the layer for can & bottle opener with the combination tool & made it a two layer knife, but oh well. It has the same scissors, & the 93mm slightly longer blade, with more snappy slipjoints (as in all Alox models). I hope Victorinox comes out with a two layer Pioneer with a scissors & a combilation tool, much like the Compact, & maybe place a nail file on one of the back scales/spines of the tool; I would be really happy to have something like that.
Great video! Tweezers for the Compact SAK: If you carry a ferorod in that compartment, a way to add Tweezers it's open the "secret space" of the corkscrew scale side for adding a small Minichamp or Swisscard tweezers. Making that you'll keep all the advantages
I absolutely love the Evolution knives. As a big fan of Wenger, it’s nice to see their designs continue to be produced with a blend of Victorinox elements. The 84mm Vics are my favorite size of Victorinox knives and the Evolution knives are effectively the same size.
Great comparison review Jon. The scissors failure with paracord would be a deal breaker for me. I would stay with what I already have. But your reviews keep making me think is there something better. I like pliars and Vicotorinox is somewhat weak in that area I think but I carry a separate set of mini-pliars with my Victorinox knives. I have always thought that having a set of pliars on the same knife as the screwdriver is a wekaness too. It prevents dealing with thos nuts and bolts that have lock together, the ones where the bolt turns forever with the screwhead.
The (relatively) inferior scissors and lack of pen on the Evolution might push an informed buyer to the Compact or other Victorinox model. I do appreciate the 14's nail cleaner and file over the redundant second blade on most Victorinox models. For my part, the Explorer Plus is the King of the Hill for EDC. While no longer made, you can replace regular Explorer scales with Plus scales. Rock on, Sir Jonathan.
@@dmam412 As a certified hoarder of both Leatherman and Victorinox, I can say that this is an apples and oranges comparison. Very few Leatherman models are as small and light as a Victorinox SAK, and none offer as much utility per ounce or gram. Leatherman gives you pliers and other utility, but at the cost of weight and bulk. As I never have a need for pliers in an EDC environment, for me Victorinox is the clear winner in this category.
@@powernoodle1224 This is a very fair point. Most LM tools do include pliers. In so far as the best MTs and EDC implements though I can’t leave home without my LM. Carrying a Victorinox for me is optional if pocket space permits. The weight is not as much of a concern to me as most though. I sheath carry a surge most of the time. Victorinox makes good stuff though all things considered
Thanks Jonathan...you have a natural gift delivering your reviews...appreciate the comparisons too. I"m new fairly new to having an EDC... made some " beginners"... questionable choices...but understanding better my urban needs from my camping needs. I have a small collection now...some I bought...some inherited....but thats ok...enjoy their ambiance. Following you now...thanks again.
That is crazy..I just got one of these in the mail a few days ago. Its seriously Underrated especially the S14. My biggest disappointment was the scissors..otherwise I loved it.
Thank you for the brief history, I knew than one bought the other but didn't know when and why. I've seen many Wenger models, but never caught my attention. The Sportsman is similar, only without the scissors, and it is shorter as well. I was very surprised by the scissors, didn't expect that!! I use Haine Haynes as well, good shop. I appreciate my Compact more and more now, since sits in my pocket. My Rebar is in my work bag, and so far the Compact did everything I needed, only once I needed pliers, but it wasn't urgent and grab the Rebar from my bag. Great quality again 👍 Cheers
That's a great combo, Rebar supplemented with Compact as it doesn't have scissors. I have a Rebar too and it's great but I can't really carry it as I can't say I need it for work.
@@simonh6371 Hi, there is a new UK legal Leatherman Bond, you can pair it with a Compact or other Victorinox's. Or if you are willing to sacrifice your Rebar, you can make it legal, but there is no going back if you do so. I have made a lock tha fits most of the Victorinox, check it out if you like, it easy to make :th-cam.com/video/h3nhN3iU1DY/w-d-xo.html Cheers
I favour scissors too. I have a Victorinox Climber and an old Wenger Traveller as my EDC. I prefer the smaller size and am not happy that Wenger got bought out! Don't like the look of the Evolution scales and never owned any.
The oldest SAK I have is a Wenger traveler with a chain keychain. Personally I like the claw style can opener because that's what I learned to use and it's easier for me to use. I also find a nail file more handy than a second blade. I also have a Wenger Evo, a Victorinox 14, 14S and evogrip 14 which tends to be my EDC knife.
A very good EDC! It has all my favorite tools. The only problem is that the Evo scales makes a 3 layer pocket knife as thick as a regular 4-5 layer Victorinox. Thank you to show the difference between the Scissors! I always felt the Wenger scissors inferior but never quite able to pinpoint the difference. The para cord test leaves no doubt.
I took out the scales and left the knife naked without scales. Made my knife slimmer, almost like having Alix scales. With 84mm having knife, nail file, scissors and the typical opening tools, it made my evo14 almost like a cadetx
@@harizbadrulhisham3805 Great idea! What I did to have a similar Victorinox is add scissors to a Sportsman (equal an old Alumnus) and woks great! My other mod was add scissors to a Waiter and ended up with an 84 mm Compact (minus the hook)
Informative review! As someone who’s relied daily on a pocketknife for decades, about five years ago I pared it down to two, a Spyderco Endura and a Evo 14, the last year has been the Evo exclusively, as it’s a great EDC tool! I don’t mind the extra layer, as for the scissor, it’s fantastic for flat material and the superior back spring is a plus, as for cutting cordage, well that’s what the knife blade is for. The awl is the least used tool for me but when you need it it’s really handy! If SAK were to offer a better steel for the blade, combine the cap lifter/bottle opener, add the pen, and replace the nail file/cleaner for the longer version from I believe it’s was called the Executive? the one with the really handy but weird serrated citrus peeler/small straight bladed screwdriver, for my use would be the perfect EDC. After watching this review maybe I’ll give a Compact a try!
The Compact is the best white collar Swiss Army Knife and seems to have been made for that type of carrying from it's origins over 30 years ago. A highly practical EDC that can truly be a EDC knife and I believe that is why it's has become so popular.
I bought an Evolution 14 in Geneva, Switzerland and I have two Wenger Travelers as well, one with a fully serrated blade and the other with a straight blade. The latter has a pair of tweezers and a toothpick. The former does not. However, I 100% prefer Victorinox knives to Wenger ones. Nevertheless, after the merger Victorinox stopped making Wenger knives and introduced the Evo category, whose tools retain a blend of either company. I didn’t like that and just bought the two Wengers. Thanks for the review.
You did a nice vlog, as usual; congrats. I got an evolution 14 some time ago, and I had custom carbon scales made by a German artisan that includes the ball pen, no pin, though. The compact is still my favorite EDC Victorinox. Even better, the discontinued and shorter Golfer with good scissors, and I managed to modify the scale to add the ball pen.
Great review/comparison and was fun too! I got the Compact last week, and I am impressed. I do miss the awl, but I think the parcel hook enhances the pen capability by allowing you to slide the pen under the parcel hook, and you have a comfortable writer, so I think that justifies the parcel hook on the Compact for me. I struggle with the Wenger serrated scissors on my Evolution S17, and agree I think Victorinox should replace those scissors with the Victorinox ones across all the Evolution/Evogrip line. My choice would be the Compact over the 14 too, but if we are talking about the S14 with locking blade, I value that the most. That is why I got the S17 over the Huntsman. I wish Victorinox would offer a locking blade with a liner lock as an option for the main blade across all their medium sized knives like they do in the Evolution line. Thanks, enjoyed your review very much!
I saw a video on you tube the other day. One of the things that used to annoy me about about wenger was the logo which I presumed wrongly was printed on the scale but this guy in the video changed the scales to reveal a separate plastic emblem inserted into the scale, so therefore it cannot really be rubbed off. I used to prefer the victorinox metal emblem inlayed in the scale but with this new information I’m much warmer towards wenger now. Not that it ever stopped me buying some of them . It wasn’t a evo grip scale it was plain red. I really love victorinox and the Delamont collection, I own a few models of both types. Fantastic pocket knives
Thank you Jon. I was cleaning my collection and found this Wenger knife which I bought at Duty free in Atlanta USA. I could not find any info on Wenger. Your product comparison filled in all the blanks. The Wenger I have does not have another screwdriver point and the can opener and the Awl doesn't have a sewing tread hole. But the knife is still sharp as ever after 23 years. In fact I just cut myself while cleaning it. Thank you for your incredible channel. Its my go to space when wanting to buy some EDC. My favorite episode was your review on the Wish products. You rock. Thank you for the energy and matter of fact to the point reviews.
I have a Traveller in my collection. I like Wenger and Victorinox' decision to continue basic aspects of the old brand but i never got really used to their scissors. Although they are robust, they're also smaller as showed, the arm is unpleasantly thin (particularly in the old 65mm models) and tends to snag in the other arm if pushed a bit outwards, and the serrated blades leave a less ideal finish in the cut. In my experience the up and down movement isn't much of a problem, however, and the serrations have some grip indeed. Wenger tendency to use nail files instead of small blades was really an "all-around" clever decision for folks that don't mind a keychain knife like the old Esquire. Otherwise it's a nice variation from Victorinox' usual, but i would probably take a Climber & Classic instead if i minded corkscrews.
Thanks for taking the time for a brief history talk Sir 👍 It might be redundant for some, but for younger audience it's appreciated When I saw how the scissors (don't) work in the 14, I knew you would rather keep the Compact 😉 As it is holiday season in Israel, I thought it's Friday like 3 times this week and was disappointed when you didn't upload anything!
@@name5949 Yeah I meant that due to the festivities, I couldn't tell which day we're on a few times for the past week, and mixed up some weekdays for Friday. 😅
Great review and comparison. I'm not a big fan of the Evo line. Definitely prefer de "original" Victorinox line. Currently carrying the good old Spartan. Nice GMT by the way.
I’ve got a Wenger traveller that I’ve had for ages. It’s got the old 5 turn corkscrew and the key chain. The scales are a bit battered from wear n tear but it’s still going strong. It’s perfect for EDC as it fits in a workday pocket doesn’t look ‘tactical’ in everyday use and has enough features to make it useful.. Although I’d appreciate a phillips from time to time. I’ve never found the scissors to be a problem IRL…
I am a great big fan of the compact, but may I suggest two others I carry. One is the discontinued Yeoman, a three layer compact with all the tool set of a Compact with the addition of a magnifying glass and a Philippics driver. Also one of my favorites the Sportsmen. Again a great video. I really enjoy yours.
Thanks for the feedback Jerry. I wish they would bring back the Yeoman - for me this would be worth the extra layer and would I think become my EDC. Sportsman is missing scissors which I would want.
I carry a victorinox bantam on my keychain. The scissors and back tools arent very useful for me so its essentially a lighter and cheaper compact for my needs.
Nice review. If I'm being honest, I'd just use the blade for cutting paracord. Do wish it had a spot for a pin. A few years back, I bought a Victorinox Compact. Planned on using it as my EDC knife. It lasted about a week in that role. It's combination can/bottle-opener feature isn't as good as Victorinox models that have both as dedicated tools. Also, I realized after one use that the pen feature is best as an emergency-use pen. Dedicated EDC pen lost or stolen, or just ran out of ink. You have to write down something important, you have a pen. But it's just not remotely comfortable to write with. Parcel hook is useless for me. But have used awls on my leather belts as I lose weight, and need a new hole. Much more useful.
For me the „grip“ plus „S“ versions combined of the original Wenger line make those interesting. Of course, a 3-layer is always bulkier than a 2-Layer one. But I chose even a 4-layer including the saw, which I like very much, and being a 6‘4 guy, in my pocket even a 4 layer 85 mm practically disappears. Think about to try to make a hole for the pin, which really proves useful often.
I have the version of the Evo14 with a locking blade. The locking blade is really nice, but I prefer the Compact overall (especially for the scissors and different scale options). I like the nail cleaner on the Evo, but I find the Combi Tool works almost as well for this (better than other companies’ nail cleaners, thanks to how nicely Victorinox polishes their metal). The Evo is a much better value than the Compact.
Good comparison. My favorite is the Evolution S14. The lock on the blade and the 85 mm in length is perfect in my opinion. I also have the minichamp, handyman and swiss champ
Agree, the locking blade on the S14 is a great safety feature for daily use. Also the nail file is great as an EDC. Spent ages trying to find a SAK with locking blade, nail file and compact size
Er...yes 🥴 I cut my thumb cleaning the blade with it! Perhaps because the blade is more curved on the 14? Made the filming a bit awkward, it's amazing how much you use your thumb when trying to demo a knife!
Clearly you have done your homework, very thorough review. (Thank you). I have problems with the Evo scales they don’t fit my large hand very well. I also don’t like the finger nail tool, there are some Delemont models that do have the small blade if only they would offer the flat scales.
There's one big advantage for the Evolution. In some U.S. jurisdictions there's a blade length limit of 2.5 inches, and the Wenger blade complies with that, while the standard Victorinox does not. I live in such a city with that restriction, and I find it hard to believe I'd ever get arrested for a Victorinox pocket knife. And the cops have to have a reason to frisk you in the first place. But technically it could happen. So, when I wanna be in full compliance, I like the Evolution knives, at least until Victorinox comes out with a Sportsman or Cadet with scissors. Also, the Wenger cap lifter works the best on all bottle caps IMO.
Excellent analysis!! To me the dealbreaker on the Evolution is the lack of pen. I don’t carry a dedicated pen but it can definitely come in handy, so having a tiny version for emergencies in the Compact makes it the winner.
I like the old wenger ergos and the fact that they put locks on the smaller, pocket-sized knives, but they seem to not have the space-efficiency that victorinox has. I liked my delemont s18, but it felt boxy and like it had an extra layer because the tools didn’t fold together efficiently
I'm also looking to find another Victorinox pocketknife that will debunk the Compact. In my search I came to Explorer Plus, which has all the tools that Compact has, but sacrificing a little thickness (Because it has 4 layers) and the nail file, which it doesn't have. On the other hand, it has a magnifying glass and an in-line philips wrench that I think compensate for the slightly larger size and the lack of a nail file. Today it's the tool I switch between Compact and Climper(With plus scales). Once again, congratulations on your great videos!
I have a farmer x, a hunstman. a ranger, a fieldmaster, two swisscards alongside three leathermans (with all their accessories), but to be honest none of their blades or scissors have been used as extensively as my urban EDC, which is the compact for sure! I appreciate your sincere effort to find a contender but no doubt it’s gonna be a hard pursuit :)
Hello Jonathan. Your table top reviews are precise, to the point & without rambling. Much appreciate this approach. 👍🏻 Look forward for your review on the Ranger, if that multi tool interests you. The Ranger has very efficient tool sets & not too thick at 5 layers for a pouch or pocket carry for the outdoors. I carry a Ranger for outdoor activities like hiking, a Compact for urban EDC weekend use & a Bantam Alox to office / biz. meetings or gatherings. Swapped the tooth pick on the ranger for a fire steel & changed into a plus scale to include a pen. If I foresee pliers in use, then I switch to a leatherman wave or surge. The ranger & the compact are also the only multi tools that’s frequently out of stock on both Victorinox & Amazon 🇺🇸 websites. Either it’s a marketing strategy or lots of people prefer both these multi tools over other Victorinox pocket tools.
Hi. Great feedback, thank you 🙏 The Ranger is on the list, it has a lot of support in the community. Bantam Alox is a very sleek option too. Great options all round 👍
Thanks for the enjoyable review! I carry the climber This seems to be a Climber without the hook. I do like the locking flathead but I think I’ll keep my Climber and my hook. I like the halfway stop on the Climber flathead as well it’s very useful for prying. The Compact is really the only Victorinox that tempts me to replace my Climber.
I like the Compact but it doesn't have an awl like the Climber does, plus the combotool isn't as good for Phillips screws as the can opener on the Climber is. One of the days I'll get plus scales for my Climber so it has a pen.
@@JonGadget I carry My Climber everyday as well which is why I was thinking of switching to the Compact. I carry the Climber in an Arc Company Bolder wallet and it works out really well.
I've been carrying swiss army knives for many (50+) years. I loved that the Wenger scissor spring was integral to the body... not so with the victorinox. My EDC has been the non-evolution version of this knife (aka the climber) for the last 25 years or so. It's a truly amazing carry tool, but I wish that they incorporated the flat phillips and the integrated scissor spring, as well as a main blade lock (all of which the Wenger had). that would make it near perfect!
Great video, always with extremely useful information. I think I already told you in a comment on another video that I really like the EDC approach that you have, it is a real vision (so different from the EDC seen in people from the USA), applied to a person who develops in a world civilian and non-military (like most of us). Regarding this video, in my country (Argentina, although I think it is very common in the American continent) the Phillips screwdriver is very necessary, and by the way I am not a fan of the Vic compact since it sacrifices (in my opinion) a lot in the screwdriver function. In general I carry a Minichamp together a Micra leatherman, and I can carry a Climber or an Explorer because it is a bit more forceful and portable. Now I bought a Tinker de Luxe (which I am waiting for it to arrive. best regards.
The Evo14 is a very good analog to the long lost Alumnus. Sadly, Victorinox dropped their 84mm scissors about 34 years ago. Which is a shame, because the Vic scissor design is vastly superior. Serrated scissor blades leave a jagged cut, while Victorinox's leave a smooth cut. The Vic can be cleaned if you get sticky goo in the pivot, and you can replace the spring. So not even two minutes in, I'm just going to say the Evo14 is grossly inferior to the Compact. The Compact is lefty compatible, slimmer, lighter, has plus scales, and the scissors aren't rubbish. Wenger was always the lesser brand, and Vic needs to end it or completely fix it, including the scissors. Edit: You came to the only acceptable conclusion. That means I can keep watching you. I should point out, the ONLY knife who's blade I've broken, and I don't mean the tip but at the base, during normal use was a Wenger.
I broke the scissors on a 58 mm Victorinox. I have had many over the years all proved very tough. I used to carry in my pocket and so lost some. I have a 90s Champ with screw holding the blades together. That comes loose after each use. The rivet on the current Champ etc is better.
Great comparison! I too like the compact. What do you think about the 84mm Sportsman (almost like the Cadet) or the 84mm Waiter (almost like the compact)?
Thats brilliant, love the history of them knives, I have 3 compacts, always carry one ,be great to see a video of the watch ⌚ that you wear, and the story of it 😀 👍
Happy Saturday John, I know that you are a big fan of the Compact but I think comparing the Evolution 14 to the Compact is inaccurate. The Evolution 14 is the equivalent of the Climber, which I consider to be the joint best Urban EDC knife & I have no less than 8 of them including 2 collectables & 6 that I rotate in my EDC along with my Huntsman's ( got 8 of those too ) Pioneers collection ( Pioneers, X's & Farmer X ) EvoGrip S17's & S18's, Explorer's, Rangers & Mountaineers . Overall I am now split between the Huntsman and Farmer X as the joint best combined Urban & Countryside use EDC knives and with the Climber sharing the role of best Urban environment only knife with the Pioneer X. I think I already informed you that I replaced the boring red front scale on my Compact with a Royal Blue one whilst retaining the Red Plus back scale & I occasionally carry this bi-colored knife as a Gentleman's knife when going out to dinner as an alternative to a Pioneer or Cadet .
Hi Steve, thanks for the feedback as always really interesting. I wanted to see if there was an Evo that would beat the Compact for best EDC (rather that find nearest original Vic comparison) - Agree Climber is great EDC option but prefer Compact 🙂
This with the locking blade is a favourite of mine. It was my daily EDC for quite a while. I had a Scout Leader who drilled the benefits of a locking blade into my head. And this is the most compact in the current line with a locking mechanism. I agree that thinner scales and a pen would be better.
I really like the look of the EvoGrip scales and some of the Wenger tools. The scissors do seem quite inferior but at least the spring won't lose tension or break like the Victorinox ones tend to do at least in my experience, and I really like the ingenious locking screwdriver. BUT I wish they made a non-locking version of the EvoGrip S557. It has a perfect toolset for me; pliers, scissors, nail file, screwdrivers, and all in a cute compact package. The button locking blade rules it out as an EDC for me in the UK though unfortunately. As it is I have to compromise between whether I want scissors and tweezers (I take the Victorinox Climber) or if I need pliers and a file (Leatherman Bond). Sure I could find a 91mm Victorinox model with a similar toolset but I don't like how the 91mm SAKs fit in my small hands. Just not comfortable with the slab sided scales. Here's hoping they come back with a 557 to complement the S557 😢
Thank you for the very well done and thorough video. I have a bit of a soft spot for Wenger as my first sak was a Traveler which I received as a gift in 1996. Since then I have come to appreciate both brands for their unique strengths and am happy that the Evolution 14 still exists as a decendant of the Traveler. On the Wengers from about the mid-90’s going forward you will notice two advantages which have been lost with the modern Evolution range and have generally not been available with Victorinox: 1) the outermost liners are actually recessed underneath the scales and 2) the back springs are completely flush with the liners and scales giving the knife a more finished look on the back and and nice feel in the hand. As far as scissors go I have used both Wenger and Victorinox and have never had issues with the Wenger scissors but mind you I have never tried to cut paracord. As the demonstration clearly show it seems that with stretchy materials in particular the smooth cutting surface of the Vic works better. So I think as far as historical relevance and collectabilty goes the 14 is a great sak, but In terms of EDC I agree the Compact is more suitable, and I in fact also carry the Compact today. Nice Root Beer btw.
I never cared for Wenger until my sister got me a pre-owned Handyman several years ago. It was well taken care of, just needed a little cleaning. I actually really like it! The saw works great and I've come to really like the claw style can opener. Comes in handy for peeling oranges or cutting the foil around the neck of a wine bottle. It's a smaller SAK all the way around as it is 4 layers but is only about as thick as a Victorinox 3 layer.... That being said I found a Wenger Backpacker at the pawn shop for $8 the other day, again well taken care of, just needed some cleaning and a little oil. Fun knives to collect!
Glad I saw his ! I was about to order the 14, but the scissors are inferior to the Compact. And I need those.....Good review. I do like the scales of the 14 more than the Compact, but it's also thicker plus it has a plastic cross....
Really enjoy the videos! Definitely going to get me one of those Fero rods for my compact. What's your plan for striking it? I'm thinking I'd bite the bullet and use the blade if I truly needed it. I live in the US and have a LOT of high end spydercos, benchmades, etc. but the Compact is my favorite edc knife. It's just so good!
I'm pleased you enjoyed the videos - thanks for the feedback - yes, wire stripper works really well as striker - check out my Compact video at the end - it shows it in action 😀
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your nice videos. I bought the Evo S14, coming from a climber and compact. i was totally dissapointed. the "little" push button for delocking the blade wasn´t acceptable. for me way too huge and disturbed me much when it was in my pockets atm i go with climber/compact as EDC, but still on the search for the best edc. maybe i will modify a Vic by myself and rebuild it with my perfect tool set up
@@JonGadget i'm thinking about to add the Metall saw to the Compact, on the backside then the awl. Then it has same thickness then the climber. Or i remove the Blades layer from a climber and add the Metall saw plus i carry a simple folder with locking function separetely (as the Victorinox sentinel)
Thanks for your videos and commentary! I have learned to appreciate the utility of scissors in an EDC because of your videos - thank you! I recently upgraded from the cadet to the pioneer X to have the scissors in the EDC (I enjoy the alox scales). I appreciate the 2 layer construction of the compact and the cadet but I don't really need a corkscrew or a can opener for EDC. On the other hand, it's somewhat annoying that the pioneer X is a 3 layer knife, and I don't really need the awl/reamer or can opener. However I also appreciate the larger scissors of the pioneer vs. The 58mm scissors. I have considered the minichamp and rambler/manager but the knife and scissors are smaller than the pioneer X. Thoughts overall? Thanks!
I agree with all of your points - it would be great to have Alox with knife and scissors - Compact is the nearest thing but woulld also change out corkscrew if I could for philips - I like the combination tool though.
@Stoater Wenger (bought by Victorinox) style scissors are different I prefer Victorinox ones even if the spring seems flimsy (had a problem once when I was a child but never again, maybe you were not lucky on yours, and maybe you could replace it).
The Wenger style scissors are superior because of the scissor serrations. They grip when cutting really well. It's especially handy for moustache trimming, because the hairs don't get pushed along the cutting edge.
I agree. The cynic in me says, the only reason they don't make it is because you'd only buy one knife. :P That would be my choice of tools, too, with my only tiiiiiny objection being I prefer the full can opener/pry to the multi-opener ... but the latter saves a lot of space.
Climber is a better direct comparison as you say but I wanted to determine best for EDC (and therefore compare with Compact). Compared with Climber is a tougher comparison - if you like the hook and spare blade then Climber otherwise Evo 14 is a great option, especially if you like the moulded scales.
I have an Evolution S 14 with the locking blade. I bought yellow/black evogrip scales and filed a slot for the pen into one scale and burned a hole for the pin behind the corksrew into the other. Now I have an Evogrip S 14 with plusscales. I like it more than the Compact. It's a nice little edc knife.
Thanks for a great video. I went throw several models of Victorinox (from 5 layers to 2 layer one) and have stopped at Compact as an edc knife. The best edc knife, as for me. As I heard many years ago, for Compact/Spartan for edc, people need to be adult enough.
I have a collection of Victorinox and Wenger SAKs, including a Compact and a Wenger Evo 10, and many other 1, 2, 3 and 4 layer knives in 84, 85 and 91 mm sizes. Many of them make for good EDC, and I could be happy with any number of them if I had just 1 or 2 knives. Indeed, when I was younger, my trusty 3 layer Camper saw me through years of camping, backpacking , a year studying abroad, and college life in general. The year I spent abroad, my Camper was my only knife, and only multi tool for the entire year and I managed to get by with it. Scissors would have been nice, and I would have gladly traded the saw for scissors, but other than that, the Camper served me well. Halfway through that year, I bought a second knife, a Spartan and sometimes used that as my EDC. Today though, my EDC always includes a 58 mm keychain knife. I am currently carrying a Classic SD Alox, but also like the Executive. As for larger knives, the one I use when out and about is my Cadet Alox, mostly because it fits perfectly in a pocket organizer along with a tactical pen, some emergency cash, and some business cards. Since it is always in my car, it is always handy if I need a knife and/or a pen. The lack of back tools and tweezers is a disadvantage, but not a huge one as my other SAKs are usually close at hand. I usually keep one of my other knives, usually something like a Climber, Spartan or a Tinker on my desk.
Victorinox Evolution 14 was my best EDC, but I lost it recently. I was looking next best EDC and i found Victorinox Explorer - this is a very very good choice.
As I understand it (and I'm recalling this from somewhere deep down so I could be wrong), the original Swiss Army knife contract was split between the two companies so as not to show favour to one or other of the either the Swiss German, or Swiss French communities. Wenger being of Swiss German origin, Victorinox of Swiss French origin (I think). So they were both the original makers of the original Swiss Army Knife.
Hey Jon, I know it came out after this video, but I'm curious what you think of the Victorinox Companion versus the Evolution 14? I think it takes the best feature of the Evo 14 - the dedicated nail file and cleaner - and puts into the standard 91mm Victorinox size, including Plus scales as a bonus. Everyone is making a big deal of it's new box cutter, but I think the nail file in a 3 layer knife is more exciting and takes some of the appeal of the Delemont/former Wenger knives away. Thoughts?
So the evolution falls short of the title evolution 😅😂😂😂thanks for sharing, brother. The sizzors are a letdown for me, too. And I wish victorinox would get rid of the toothpick for the writing pen on all their models 🤙
Hi Jon, although you have demonstrated that on this particular knife the scissors are inferior to the Victorinox scissors, I think the lever style scissor spring on the Wenga is far superior. It's the same system Leatherman and others use. The Victorinox spring has a tendency to come out of alignment causing it to jump the recess in the scissor arm. This also causes problems when closing the scissors back into the knife. One has to squeeze the spring flush with the scissor arm to close. I have always wondered why it is that Victorinox got so many things right but not this horrible scissor spring.
Jon is it me or did you decide to focus on your hands and on the knife on the video? The focus kept distracting me while you talked. Awesome video by the way!
Well you got sold on trying out a SAK with scissors. I looked at every medium size on their site and settled on the Climber for EDC. Have you ever considered doing a video on the Climber? Much more inexpensive than the Compact, comes in a variety of colours and the added layer really seems worth it. I’m really a fan of a 2nd blade. I might have considered the Compact if it also came in Sapphire like the Climber. But more money for less and stuck with the basic red, I couldn’t do it.
Another great video. The Evolution series must have included an evolution of the toothpick and tweezers, as my Wenger (Venger ! ) AP Blaze 13 and Wenger Esquire both have different (read: harder to get out of the scales) toothpicks and tweezers from your review sample. They sit much deeper into the scales and the tweezers have no plastic “head”. Also, my Wenger Esquire has serrated scissors which I find no better or worse than the scissors on the comparable-sized Vic Classic SD. I liked the Wenger SAKs, and feel the differentiation will all but be forgotten in the not-so-distant future. Thanks for an interesting comparison…my Compact is still my favorite SAK.
The bonus of the straight-pin ( in the scale next to the corkscrew recess ) I think also adds to the Compact being the better choice IMHO. I use it regularly to un-block windshield washer jets on my work trucks. :)
I like the victorinox compact over the 14 but saying that i think the victorinox compact Vs the victorinox climber would be a very hard choice???? Jonathan thank you for sharing this one with us 👍
Great review but I would have compared it dierectly with the Climber (as you did but you did not mention). Thanks for demonstrating the huge difference of the sissors. And yes, the Compact ist also my EDC :)
Love your reviews. Very in depth, detailed, and well thought out. Love the history stuff too. I've been thinking about getting a SAK for my wife and I'm thinking about going with one of the Swiss Card options - probably Swiss Card Lite mainly for the light/magnifying glass combo but haven't seen much about the quality of light you get with those tiny lights so I can't decide if it would be worth it. My long-winded question is ... any thoughts on reviewing the Swiss Card series?
the Wenger "16" series or Victorinox Sportsman are the best for edc. they've got what you need and none of the excess baggage that you don't. If you can get ahold of a Wenger classic/evo/grip 16 do it, you won't be disappointed. The Vic Sportsman comes in 2nd.
Great video as always. I think you will have a tough time finding a suitable replacement for The Compact. It's just too good as an urban edc. I know you're not a big fan of the hook and tooth pick but I am. Like I said in a previous comment I have occasional use for the hook at work as a transit bus driver. In fact I could have used it at work twice last week. Procrastinator me hasn't bought this knife yet and I kicked myself last week for it. It's gonna happen I promise...lol. If you want to know what it's like to be a transit bus driver watch On The Buses. The reality is not as deliberately preposterous but overall the show is closer than you would think.
Got Evolution S14 (the one with the locking blade) - and I think I found my perfect SAK! Surprisingly lightweight and I don't mind if it's a little more bulky. Much more functional than Cadet or Pioneer X (which is noticeably heavier), at least for me, though I agree that Victorinox scissors are better. My other favorite is the Rambler. Just wish it had a bigger, sturdier blade. Thinking of modding it into a "Spydernox".
Hi John. Recent subscriber and binge watcher. Do you have plans to expand the scope of what EDC is? ie: not personal carry but something you would carry in a caravan, motorhome or in a car. An example would be a favourite of mine, the Wera Tool-Check Plus.
Hi Mike, thank you for the kind words and welcome to the channel. I do need to introduce more of the kits I use for different environments. I too am a big fan of Wera tools and the Tool-Check Plus is epic and great value as you know 😃
have a wenger knife from before the merger, love the sissors, never sharpened them and still good as new. tweeers are on the inner side of the scale so less likly to fall out in pocket, it broke a bit while I cross loaded it while prying something.
I have both and... The compact is a really good, maybe the best EDC SAK. But I like the Evo14, mine has grip scale and it's a nice black and red knife. In my opinion, a 85mm knife has to be small : 3 layers is a good option. The wenger scissors are not my favorite but the nail file is usefull and I often use it has fidget tool too. There is a S14 model, it's the same with a locked blade system. Thanks for your video. I agree with the comments about the sportman bit I don't like the new version of the nail file.
I rate the best three SAKs as the Climber and the Camper (interchangeable depending on whether scissors or a saw is of most use to you) OR the Huntsman which had both the scissors and the saw. But if you really want a slimmer tool, then there is the Compact but my preference is the first three.
I agree, the Victorinox scissors are far superior. I have carried a Super Tinker for 15 years and never had an issue with the spring.
Did you carry « the » same knife or did you buy another one along the way ?
My EDC is the Pioneer X Alox, which I've had for like 4-5 years. It is as slim as the Compact, but it comes in a more durable Alox body. Although it could have replaced the layer for can & bottle opener with the combination tool & made it a two layer knife, but oh well. It has the same scissors, & the 93mm slightly longer blade, with more snappy slipjoints (as in all Alox models). I hope Victorinox comes out with a two layer Pioneer with a scissors & a combilation tool, much like the Compact, & maybe place a nail file on one of the back scales/spines of the tool; I would be really happy to have something like that.
Great video!
Tweezers for the Compact SAK: If you carry a ferorod in that compartment, a way to add Tweezers it's open the "secret space" of the corkscrew scale side for adding a small Minichamp or Swisscard tweezers. Making that you'll keep all the advantages
I absolutely love the Evolution knives. As a big fan of Wenger, it’s nice to see their designs continue to be produced with a blend of Victorinox elements. The 84mm Vics are my favorite size of Victorinox knives and the Evolution knives are effectively the same size.
Been using the Evolution 14 as my edc for a few years now. It has everything I need and nothing I don't. Just perfect.
shocked by scissor comparison!!
Thank you for your service to EDC folks
Great comparison review Jon. The scissors failure with paracord would be a deal breaker for me. I would stay with what I already have. But your reviews keep making me think is there something better. I like pliars and Vicotorinox is somewhat weak in that area I think but I carry a separate set of mini-pliars with my Victorinox knives. I have always thought that having a set of pliars on the same knife as the screwdriver is a wekaness too. It prevents dealing with thos nuts and bolts that have lock together, the ones where the bolt turns forever with the screwhead.
Something better will come at some point - I have some small knipex that I really like - but more for a kit than EDC
Interesting. I’ve got the original Wenger version of this. My late grandmother gave me one for my 16th birthday in 1993. I still have it.
The (relatively) inferior scissors and lack of pen on the Evolution might push an informed buyer to the Compact or other Victorinox model. I do appreciate the 14's nail cleaner and file over the redundant second blade on most Victorinox models. For my part, the Explorer Plus is the King of the Hill for EDC. While no longer made, you can replace regular Explorer scales with Plus scales. Rock on, Sir Jonathan.
Leatherman>>Victorinox
@@dmam412 As a certified hoarder of both Leatherman and Victorinox, I can say that this is an apples and oranges comparison. Very few Leatherman models are as small and light as a Victorinox SAK, and none offer as much utility per ounce or gram. Leatherman gives you pliers and other utility, but at the cost of weight and bulk. As I never have a need for pliers in an EDC environment, for me Victorinox is the clear winner in this category.
@@powernoodle1224 This is a very fair point. Most LM tools do include pliers. In so far as the best MTs and EDC implements though I can’t leave home without my LM. Carrying a Victorinox for me is optional if pocket space permits. The weight is not as much of a concern to me as most though. I sheath carry a surge most of the time.
Victorinox makes good stuff though all things considered
Great feedback 👍 Yes, Explorer (+) is a favourite.
Also, agree with conclusion of Vic vs LM debate - both have they place 👍
Thanks Jonathan...you have a natural gift delivering your reviews...appreciate the comparisons too. I"m new fairly new to having an EDC... made some " beginners"... questionable choices...but understanding better my urban needs from my camping needs. I have a small collection now...some I bought...some inherited....but thats ok...enjoy their ambiance. Following you now...thanks again.
That is crazy..I just got one of these in the mail a few days ago. Its seriously Underrated especially the S14. My biggest disappointment was the scissors..otherwise I loved it.
Hi Dominic, agree all good apart from scissors 😊
Thank you for the brief history, I knew than one bought the other but didn't know when and why. I've seen many Wenger models, but never caught my attention. The Sportsman is similar, only without the scissors, and it is shorter as well. I was very surprised by the scissors, didn't expect that!! I use Haine Haynes as well, good shop. I appreciate my Compact more and more now, since sits in my pocket. My Rebar is in my work bag, and so far the Compact did everything I needed, only once I needed pliers, but it wasn't urgent and grab the Rebar from my bag. Great quality again 👍 Cheers
That's a great combo, Rebar supplemented with Compact as it doesn't have scissors. I have a Rebar too and it's great but I can't really carry it as I can't say I need it for work.
@@simonh6371 Hi, there is a new UK legal Leatherman Bond, you can pair it with a Compact or other Victorinox's. Or if you are willing to sacrifice your Rebar, you can make it legal, but there is no going back if you do so. I have made a lock tha fits most of the Victorinox, check it out if you like, it easy to make :th-cam.com/video/h3nhN3iU1DY/w-d-xo.html
Cheers
Yes, locking is a challenge in UK - LM Bond could be an option paired with the Compact.
Great video! I have the compact, evogrip 14 and pioneer x as rotating EDCs we have the same preferences for EDC
good options 👍
I favour scissors too.
I have a Victorinox Climber and an old Wenger Traveller as my EDC.
I prefer the smaller size and am not happy that Wenger got bought out!
Don't like the look of the Evolution scales and never owned any.
The oldest SAK I have is a Wenger traveler with a chain keychain. Personally I like the claw style can opener because that's what I learned to use and it's easier for me to use. I also find a nail file more handy than a second blade. I also have a Wenger Evo, a Victorinox 14, 14S and evogrip 14 which tends to be my EDC knife.
great feedback 🙏
A very good EDC! It has all my favorite tools.
The only problem is that the Evo scales makes a 3 layer pocket knife as thick as a regular 4-5 layer Victorinox.
Thank you to show the difference between the Scissors! I always felt the Wenger scissors inferior but never quite able to pinpoint the difference. The para cord test leaves no doubt.
I took out the scales and left the knife naked without scales. Made my knife slimmer, almost like having Alix scales. With 84mm having knife, nail file, scissors and the typical opening tools, it made my evo14 almost like a cadetx
@@harizbadrulhisham3805
Great idea! What I did to have a similar Victorinox is add scissors to a Sportsman (equal an old Alumnus) and woks great!
My other mod was add scissors to a Waiter and ended up with an 84 mm Compact (minus the hook)
Thanks for the feedback 👍
Informative review!
As someone who’s relied daily on a pocketknife for decades, about five years ago I pared it down to two, a Spyderco Endura and a Evo 14, the last year has been the Evo exclusively, as it’s a great EDC tool!
I don’t mind the extra layer, as for the scissor, it’s fantastic for flat material and the superior back spring is a plus, as for cutting cordage, well that’s what the knife blade is for.
The awl is the least used tool for me but when you need it it’s really handy!
If SAK were to offer a better steel for the blade, combine the cap lifter/bottle opener, add the pen, and replace the nail file/cleaner for the longer version from I believe it’s was called the Executive? the one with the really handy but weird serrated citrus peeler/small straight bladed screwdriver, for my use would be the perfect EDC.
After watching this review maybe I’ll give a Compact a try!
As always Jon, lots of good insight in your reviews. It's hard to beat the Compact.
🙏 very hard to beat the Compact
The Compact is the best white collar Swiss Army Knife and seems to have been made for that type of carrying from it's origins over 30 years ago. A highly practical EDC that can truly be a EDC knife and I believe that is why it's has become so popular.
I bought an Evolution 14 in Geneva, Switzerland and I have two Wenger Travelers as well, one with a fully serrated blade and the other with a straight blade. The latter has a pair of tweezers and a toothpick. The former does not. However, I 100% prefer Victorinox knives to Wenger ones. Nevertheless, after the merger Victorinox stopped making Wenger knives and introduced the Evo category, whose tools retain a blend of either company. I didn’t like that and just bought the two Wengers. Thanks for the review.
thanks for the feedback 👍
You did a nice vlog, as usual; congrats.
I got an evolution 14 some time ago, and I had custom carbon scales made by a German artisan that includes the ball pen, no pin, though. The compact is still my favorite EDC Victorinox.
Even better, the discontinued and shorter Golfer with good scissors, and I managed to modify the scale to add the ball pen.
Great review/comparison and was fun too! I got the Compact last week, and I am impressed. I do miss the awl, but I think the parcel hook enhances the pen capability by allowing you to slide the pen under the parcel hook, and you have a comfortable writer, so I think that justifies the parcel hook on the Compact for me. I struggle with the Wenger serrated scissors on my Evolution S17, and agree I think Victorinox should replace those scissors with the Victorinox ones across all the Evolution/Evogrip line. My choice would be the Compact over the 14 too, but if we are talking about the S14 with locking blade, I value that the most. That is why I got the S17 over the Huntsman. I wish Victorinox would offer a locking blade with a liner lock as an option for the main blade across all their medium sized knives like they do in the Evolution line. Thanks, enjoyed your review very much!
Thanks for the great feedback - locking blades are a problem in the UK but I know what you are saying 👍
Where did you find the compact? Can't hardly find them now.
This video is so well made. It was nice to learn about Victorinox and Wenger. And your review is really detailed and helpful.
Thank you for the kind comment Lucas 😊 really appreciated.
Super video!!!
now I understand why you prefer Victorinox compact. thank you for the review.
🙏👍
I saw a video on you tube the other day. One of the things that used to annoy me about about wenger was the logo which I presumed wrongly was printed on the scale but this guy in the video changed the scales to reveal a separate plastic emblem inserted into the scale, so therefore it cannot really be rubbed off. I used to prefer the victorinox metal emblem inlayed in the scale but with this new information I’m much warmer towards wenger now. Not that it ever stopped me buying some of them . It wasn’t a evo grip scale it was plain red. I really love victorinox and the Delamont collection, I own a few models of both types. Fantastic pocket knives
Great feedback, thanks Marc 🙏
Thank you Jon. I was cleaning my collection and found this Wenger knife which I bought at Duty free in Atlanta USA. I could not find any info on Wenger. Your product comparison filled in all the blanks. The Wenger I have does not have another screwdriver point and the can opener and the Awl doesn't have a sewing tread hole. But the knife is still sharp as ever after 23 years. In fact I just cut myself while cleaning it. Thank you for your incredible channel. Its my go to space when wanting to buy some EDC. My favorite episode was your review on the Wish products. You rock. Thank you for the energy and matter of fact to the point reviews.
Thanks so much for the kind feedback Kate 🙏
Hi. I really like the contoured scales.
I have a Traveller in my collection. I like Wenger and Victorinox' decision to continue basic aspects of the old brand but i never got really used to their scissors. Although they are robust, they're also smaller as showed, the arm is unpleasantly thin (particularly in the old 65mm models) and tends to snag in the other arm if pushed a bit outwards, and the serrated blades leave a less ideal finish in the cut. In my experience the up and down movement isn't much of a problem, however, and the serrations have some grip indeed. Wenger tendency to use nail files instead of small blades was really an "all-around" clever decision for folks that don't mind a keychain knife like the old Esquire.
Otherwise it's a nice variation from Victorinox' usual, but i would probably take a Climber & Classic instead if i minded corkscrews.
great feedback 👍 thanks for sharing
Thanks for taking the time for a brief history talk Sir 👍 It might be redundant for some, but for younger audience it's appreciated
When I saw how the scissors (don't) work in the 14, I knew you would rather keep the Compact 😉
As it is holiday season in Israel, I thought it's Friday like 3 times this week and was disappointed when you didn't upload anything!
It is Friday 🤔
@@name5949 Yeah I meant that due to the festivities, I couldn't tell which day we're on a few times for the past week, and mixed up some weekdays for Friday. 😅
@@ELaster1 sorry about that i should have known by the first comment hope you're enjoying it buddy 👍
@@name5949 no worries, and thank you 😊
Happy new (Jewish) year 🤓
yes, the scissors did it for me 😬 I hope you're having a good break.
Great review and comparison. I'm not a big fan of the Evo line. Definitely prefer de "original" Victorinox line. Currently carrying the good old Spartan. Nice GMT by the way.
My conclusion too 👍 Spartan is a great option - Love the GMT 🙂
I’ve got a Wenger traveller that I’ve had for ages. It’s got the old 5 turn corkscrew and the key chain. The scales are a bit battered from wear n tear but it’s still going strong. It’s perfect for EDC as it fits in a workday pocket doesn’t look ‘tactical’ in everyday use and has enough features to make it useful.. Although I’d appreciate a phillips from time to time. I’ve never found the scissors to be a problem IRL…
I am a great big fan of the compact, but may I suggest two others I carry. One is the discontinued Yeoman, a three layer compact with all the tool set of a Compact with the addition of a magnifying glass and a Philippics driver. Also one of my favorites the Sportsmen. Again a great video. I really enjoy yours.
Thanks for the feedback Jerry. I wish they would bring back the Yeoman - for me this would be worth the extra layer and would I think become my EDC. Sportsman is missing scissors which I would want.
I carry a victorinox bantam on my keychain.
The scissors and back tools arent very useful for me so its essentially a lighter and cheaper compact for my needs.
Thank you for providing history, I enjoyed learning about wenger and the quality
🙏
Good luck on your quest! I've not found a better all-around solution than the Compact, but always looking!
looks like we are both looking 👍
Nice review. If I'm being honest, I'd just use the blade for cutting paracord. Do wish it had a spot for a pin. A few years back, I bought a Victorinox Compact. Planned on using it as my EDC knife. It lasted about a week in that role. It's combination can/bottle-opener feature isn't as good as Victorinox models that have both as dedicated tools. Also, I realized after one use that the pen feature is best as an emergency-use pen. Dedicated EDC pen lost or stolen, or just ran out of ink. You have to write down something important, you have a pen. But it's just not remotely comfortable to write with. Parcel hook is useless for me. But have used awls on my leather belts as I lose weight, and need a new hole. Much more useful.
For me the „grip“ plus „S“ versions combined of the original Wenger line make those interesting. Of course, a 3-layer is always bulkier than a 2-Layer one. But I chose even a 4-layer including the saw, which I like very much, and being a 6‘4 guy, in my pocket even a 4 layer 85 mm practically disappears. Think about to try to make a hole for the pin, which really proves useful often.
I have the version of the Evo14 with a locking blade. The locking blade is really nice, but I prefer the Compact overall (especially for the scissors and different scale options). I like the nail cleaner on the Evo, but I find the Combi Tool works almost as well for this (better than other companies’ nail cleaners, thanks to how nicely Victorinox polishes their metal). The Evo is a much better value than the Compact.
Great to know - thanks for sharing 👍
Good comparison. My favorite is the Evolution S14. The lock on the blade and the 85 mm in length is perfect in my opinion. I also have the minichamp, handyman and swiss champ
Agree, the locking blade on the S14 is a great safety feature for daily use. Also the nail file is great as an EDC. Spent ages trying to find a SAK with locking blade, nail file and compact size
You mentioned the blades being “extremely sharp” could the dried blood on your right thumb be an indicator of such?
Er...yes 🥴 I cut my thumb cleaning the blade with it! Perhaps because the blade is more curved on the 14? Made the filming a bit awkward, it's amazing how much you use your thumb when trying to demo a knife!
Always enjoy these videos as I loved SAKs since being a child.
Clearly you have done your homework, very thorough review. (Thank you).
I have problems with the Evo scales they don’t fit my large hand very well.
I also don’t like the finger nail tool, there are some Delemont models
that do have the small blade if only they would offer the flat scales.
Thank you for the feedback - I much prefer the flat scales too.
There's one big advantage for the Evolution. In some U.S. jurisdictions there's a blade length limit of 2.5 inches, and the Wenger blade complies with that, while the standard Victorinox does not. I live in such a city with that restriction, and I find it hard to believe I'd ever get arrested for a Victorinox pocket knife. And the cops have to have a reason to frisk you in the first place. But technically it could happen. So, when I wanna be in full compliance, I like the Evolution knives, at least until Victorinox comes out with a Sportsman or Cadet with scissors. Also, the Wenger cap lifter works the best on all bottle caps IMO.
Great feedback - thanks for sharing - I never knew that,
Excellent analysis!! To me the dealbreaker on the Evolution is the lack of pen. I don’t carry a dedicated pen but it can definitely come in handy, so having a tiny version for emergencies in the Compact makes it the winner.
I like the old wenger ergos and the fact that they put locks on the smaller, pocket-sized knives, but they seem to not have the space-efficiency that victorinox has. I liked my delemont s18, but it felt boxy and like it had an extra layer because the tools didn’t fold together efficiently
thanks for the feedback 👍
I'm also looking to find another Victorinox pocketknife that will debunk the Compact. In my search I came to Explorer Plus, which has all the tools that Compact has, but sacrificing a little thickness (Because it has 4 layers) and the nail file, which it doesn't have. On the other hand, it has a magnifying glass and an in-line philips wrench that I think compensate for the slightly larger size and the lack of a nail file. Today it's the tool I switch between Compact and Climper(With plus scales).
Once again, congratulations on your great videos!
Thanks Sávio, yes Explorer is great - double the thickness of Compact though as you know - plus scales no longer available though on Explorer.
I have a farmer x, a hunstman. a ranger, a fieldmaster, two swisscards alongside three leathermans (with all their accessories), but to be honest none of their blades or scissors have been used as extensively as my urban EDC, which is the compact for sure! I appreciate your sincere effort to find a contender but no doubt it’s gonna be a hard pursuit :)
great feedback - it's a hard one to beat!
Hello Jonathan. Your table top reviews are precise, to the point & without rambling. Much appreciate this approach. 👍🏻 Look forward for your review on the Ranger, if that multi tool interests you. The Ranger has very efficient tool sets & not too thick at 5 layers for a pouch or pocket carry for the outdoors. I carry a Ranger for outdoor activities like hiking, a Compact for urban EDC weekend use & a Bantam Alox to office / biz. meetings or gatherings. Swapped the tooth pick on the ranger for a fire steel & changed into a plus scale to include a pen. If I foresee pliers in use, then I switch to a leatherman wave or surge. The ranger & the compact are also the only multi tools that’s frequently out of stock on both Victorinox & Amazon 🇺🇸 websites. Either it’s a marketing strategy or lots of people prefer both these multi tools over other Victorinox pocket tools.
Hi. Great feedback, thank you 🙏 The Ranger is on the list, it has a lot of support in the community. Bantam Alox is a very sleek option too. Great options all round 👍
Thanks for the enjoyable review! I carry the climber This seems to be a Climber without the hook. I do like the locking flathead but I think I’ll keep my Climber and my hook. I like the halfway stop on the Climber flathead as well it’s very useful for prying. The Compact is really the only Victorinox that tempts me to replace my Climber.
I like the Compact but it doesn't have an awl like the Climber does, plus the combotool isn't as good for Phillips screws as the can opener on the Climber is. One of the days I'll get plus scales for my Climber so it has a pen.
Climber is great, but for me the 2-layer is the winning feature as I carry it everyday 😃
@@JonGadget I carry My Climber everyday as well which is why I was thinking of switching to the Compact. I carry the Climber in an Arc Company Bolder wallet and it works out really well.
I've been carrying swiss army knives for many (50+) years. I loved that the Wenger scissor spring was integral to the body... not so with the victorinox. My EDC has been the non-evolution version of this knife (aka the climber) for the last 25 years or so. It's a truly amazing carry tool, but I wish that they incorporated the flat phillips and the integrated scissor spring, as well as a main blade lock (all of which the Wenger had). that would make it near perfect!
Bought my first Vic SAK in 1976 while attending an arson class in Seattle, still use it today, Hunter it was called back then as I recall.
Still on of the best (see review 👍)
Great video, always with extremely useful information. I think I already told you in a comment on another video that I really like the EDC approach that you have, it is a real vision (so different from the EDC seen in people from the USA), applied to a person who develops in a world civilian and non-military (like most of us). Regarding this video, in my country (Argentina, although I think it is very common in the American continent) the Phillips screwdriver is very necessary, and by the way I am not a fan of the Vic compact since it sacrifices (in my opinion) a lot in the screwdriver function. In general I carry a Minichamp together a Micra leatherman, and I can carry a Climber or an Explorer because it is a bit more forceful and portable. Now I bought a Tinker de Luxe (which I am waiting for it to arrive. best regards.
Thanks for sharing Ricardo and for the kind comments. You have some great options in your line-up 😃
I watched a bunch of your Victorinox videos, great information, presentation, knowledge. Subbed.
Thanks Marcus and welcome to the channel 👍
The Evo14 is a very good analog to the long lost Alumnus. Sadly, Victorinox dropped their 84mm scissors about 34 years ago. Which is a shame, because the Vic scissor design is vastly superior. Serrated scissor blades leave a jagged cut, while Victorinox's leave a smooth cut. The Vic can be cleaned if you get sticky goo in the pivot, and you can replace the spring. So not even two minutes in, I'm just going to say the Evo14 is grossly inferior to the Compact. The Compact is lefty compatible, slimmer, lighter, has plus scales, and the scissors aren't rubbish. Wenger was always the lesser brand, and Vic needs to end it or completely fix it, including the scissors.
Edit: You came to the only acceptable conclusion. That means I can keep watching you.
I should point out, the ONLY knife who's blade I've broken, and I don't mean the tip but at the base, during normal use was a Wenger.
Thanks for the comments Kevin - interesting stuff. Yes, I wasn't sure what to expect at first but soon became clear.
I broke the scissors on a 58 mm Victorinox. I have had many over the years all proved very tough. I used to carry in my pocket and so lost some. I have a 90s Champ with screw holding the blades together. That comes loose after each use. The rivet on the current Champ etc is better.
your videos are amazing! thanks for all the efforts to put these together.
Thank you 🙏
Great comparison! I too like the compact.
What do you think about the 84mm Sportsman (almost like the Cadet) or the 84mm Waiter (almost like the compact)?
the lack of scissors is a deal breaker for me personally for EDC
Thats brilliant, love the history of them knives, I have 3 compacts, always carry one ,be great to see a video of the watch ⌚ that you wear, and the story of it 😀 👍
Thanks for the feedback. I'll put that on the list, hard to know if the audience would want to see watch reviews but perhaps worth a try.
Happy Saturday John, I know that you are a big fan of the Compact but I think comparing the Evolution 14 to the Compact is inaccurate. The Evolution 14 is the equivalent of the Climber, which I consider to be the joint best Urban EDC knife & I have no less than 8 of them including 2 collectables & 6 that I rotate in my EDC along with my Huntsman's ( got 8 of those too ) Pioneers collection ( Pioneers, X's & Farmer X ) EvoGrip S17's & S18's, Explorer's, Rangers & Mountaineers . Overall I am now split between the Huntsman and Farmer X as the joint best combined Urban & Countryside use EDC knives and with the Climber sharing the role of best Urban environment only knife with the Pioneer X. I think I already informed you that I replaced the boring red front scale on my Compact with a Royal Blue one whilst retaining the Red Plus back scale & I occasionally carry this bi-colored knife as a Gentleman's knife when going out to dinner as an alternative to a Pioneer or Cadet .
Hi Steve, thanks for the feedback as always really interesting. I wanted to see if there was an Evo that would beat the Compact for best EDC (rather that find nearest original Vic comparison) - Agree Climber is great EDC option but prefer Compact 🙂
This with the locking blade is a favourite of mine. It was my daily EDC for quite a while. I had a Scout Leader who drilled the benefits of a locking blade into my head. And this is the most compact in the current line with a locking mechanism. I agree that thinner scales and a pen would be better.
I really like the look of the EvoGrip scales and some of the Wenger tools. The scissors do seem quite inferior but at least the spring won't lose tension or break like the Victorinox ones tend to do at least in my experience, and I really like the ingenious locking screwdriver.
BUT I wish they made a non-locking version of the EvoGrip S557. It has a perfect toolset for me; pliers, scissors, nail file, screwdrivers, and all in a cute compact package. The button locking blade rules it out as an EDC for me in the UK though unfortunately. As it is I have to compromise between whether I want scissors and tweezers (I take the Victorinox Climber) or if I need pliers and a file (Leatherman Bond). Sure I could find a 91mm Victorinox model with a similar toolset but I don't like how the 91mm SAKs fit in my small hands. Just not comfortable with the slab sided scales.
Here's hoping they come back with a 557 to complement the S557 😢
Thank you for the very well done and thorough video. I have a bit of a soft spot for Wenger as my first sak was a Traveler which I received as a gift in 1996. Since then I have come to appreciate both brands for their unique strengths and am happy that the Evolution 14 still exists as a decendant of the Traveler. On the Wengers from about the mid-90’s going forward you will notice two advantages which have been lost with the modern Evolution range and have generally not been available with Victorinox: 1) the outermost liners are actually recessed underneath the scales and 2) the back springs are completely flush with the liners and scales giving the knife a more finished look on the back and and nice feel in the hand. As far as scissors go I have used both Wenger and Victorinox and have never had issues with the Wenger scissors but mind you I have never tried to cut paracord. As the demonstration clearly show it seems that with stretchy materials in particular the smooth cutting surface of the Vic works better. So I think as far as historical relevance and collectabilty goes the 14 is a great sak, but In terms of EDC I agree the Compact is more suitable, and I in fact also carry the Compact today. Nice Root Beer btw.
I never cared for Wenger until my sister got me a pre-owned Handyman several years ago. It was well taken care of, just needed a little cleaning. I actually really like it! The saw works great and I've come to really like the claw style can opener. Comes in handy for peeling oranges or cutting the foil around the neck of a wine bottle. It's a smaller SAK all the way around as it is 4 layers but is only about as thick as a Victorinox 3 layer.... That being said I found a Wenger Backpacker at the pawn shop for $8 the other day, again well taken care of, just needed some cleaning and a little oil. Fun knives to collect!
Glad I saw his ! I was about to order the 14, but the scissors are inferior to the Compact. And I need those.....Good review. I do like the scales of the 14 more than the Compact, but it's also thicker plus it has a plastic cross....
Really enjoy the videos!
Definitely going to get me one of those Fero rods for my compact. What's your plan for striking it? I'm thinking I'd bite the bullet and use the blade if I truly needed it.
I live in the US and have a LOT of high end spydercos, benchmades, etc. but the Compact is my favorite edc knife. It's just so good!
I think you can use the wire stripper 👌
@@Christian_from_Copenhagen Thank you!
I'm pleased you enjoyed the videos - thanks for the feedback - yes, wire stripper works really well as striker - check out my Compact video at the end - it shows it in action 😀
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your nice videos. I bought the Evo S14, coming from a climber and compact. i was totally dissapointed. the "little" push button for delocking the blade wasn´t acceptable. for me way too huge and disturbed me much when it was in my pockets atm i go with climber/compact as EDC, but still on the search for the best edc. maybe i will modify a Vic by myself and rebuild it with my perfect tool set up
great feedback - thanks for sharing 👍
@@JonGadget i'm thinking about to add the Metall saw to the Compact, on the backside then the awl. Then it has same thickness then the climber. Or i remove the Blades layer from a climber and add the Metall saw plus i carry a simple folder with locking function separetely (as the Victorinox sentinel)
I've found all the scissors on all my Wenger and Victorinox to be very sharp and high quality, especially for such compact size.
Thanks for your videos and commentary! I have learned to appreciate the utility of scissors in an EDC because of your videos - thank you!
I recently upgraded from the cadet to the pioneer X to have the scissors in the EDC (I enjoy the alox scales). I appreciate the 2 layer construction of the compact and the cadet but I don't really need a corkscrew or a can opener for EDC. On the other hand, it's somewhat annoying that the pioneer X is a 3 layer knife, and I don't really need the awl/reamer or can opener. However I also appreciate the larger scissors of the pioneer vs. The 58mm scissors.
I have considered the minichamp and rambler/manager but the knife and scissors are smaller than the pioneer X.
Thoughts overall? Thanks!
I agree with all of your points - it would be great to have Alox with knife and scissors - Compact is the nearest thing but woulld also change out corkscrew if I could for philips - I like the combination tool though.
Scissors of a Victorynox are unbeatable!
agree 🙂
Maybe the scissors are great but the spring is rubbish.
See my comment above.
@Stoater Wenger (bought by Victorinox) style scissors are different
I prefer Victorinox ones even if the spring seems flimsy (had a problem once when I was a child but never again, maybe you were not lucky on yours, and maybe you could replace it).
The Wenger style scissors are superior because of the scissor serrations.
They grip when cutting really well.
It's especially handy for moustache trimming, because the hairs don't get pushed along the cutting edge.
I really would like Victorinox would bring back the 84mm scissors.
YES!!! FFS. YES!!!
gets my vote 👍
I agree. The cynic in me says, the only reason they don't make it is because you'd only buy one knife. :P That would be my choice of tools, too, with my only tiiiiiny objection being I prefer the full can opener/pry to the multi-opener ... but the latter saves a lot of space.
An alox bantam x would be a really nice product
@@soupappreciator8977 I hope they do more alox models and bring back the 84mm scissors. A cadet x would be great for me.
Jon,
How do you like the evo 14 compared to the climber? I think these two models are more analogous than the compct
Climber is a better direct comparison as you say but I wanted to determine best for EDC (and therefore compare with Compact). Compared with Climber is a tougher comparison - if you like the hook and spare blade then Climber otherwise Evo 14 is a great option, especially if you like the moulded scales.
@@JonGadget that makes sense. It is a compact vs series then.
What a treat, another lovely swiss army knife review. I notice even your watch is a bit of a gadget too Jon, I like GMTs too 👍.
👍 it is a great watch 😀
I have an Evolution S 14 with the locking blade. I bought yellow/black evogrip scales and filed a slot for the pen into one scale and burned a hole for the pin behind the corksrew into the other. Now I have an Evogrip S 14 with plusscales. I like it more than the Compact. It's a nice little edc knife.
some great ideas 👍
Thanks for a great video.
I went throw several models of Victorinox (from 5 layers to 2 layer one) and have stopped at Compact as an edc knife. The best edc knife, as for me. As I heard many years ago, for Compact/Spartan for edc, people need to be adult enough.
Thorough comparison, thank you.
I have a collection of Victorinox and Wenger SAKs, including a Compact and a Wenger Evo 10, and many other 1, 2, 3 and 4 layer knives in 84, 85 and 91 mm sizes. Many of them make for good EDC, and I could be happy with any number of them if I had just 1 or 2 knives.
Indeed, when I was younger, my trusty 3 layer Camper saw me through years of camping, backpacking , a year studying abroad, and college life in general. The year I spent abroad, my Camper was my only knife, and only multi tool for the entire year and I managed to get by with it. Scissors would have been nice, and I would have gladly traded the saw for scissors, but other than that, the Camper served me well. Halfway through that year, I bought a second knife, a Spartan and sometimes used that as my EDC.
Today though, my EDC always includes a 58 mm keychain knife. I am currently carrying a Classic SD Alox, but also like the Executive. As for larger knives, the one I use when out and about is my Cadet Alox, mostly because it fits perfectly in a pocket organizer along with a tactical pen, some emergency cash, and some business cards. Since it is always in my car, it is always handy if I need a knife and/or a pen. The lack of back tools and tweezers is a disadvantage, but not a huge one as my other SAKs are usually close at hand.
I usually keep one of my other knives, usually something like a Climber, Spartan or a Tinker on my desk.
Great feedback Martin - many thanks for sharing you SAK experiences 👍
I actually switched from compact to this because it’s can opener works better on Phillips. But occasionally take out compact when I’m more dressed up
If you use the can opener then Evo makes sense 👍
We need the return of the long disappeared yeoman BRING BACK THE YEOMAN !!!
probably the perfect tool set 👍
Victorinox Evolution 14 was my best EDC, but I lost it recently. I was looking next best EDC and i found Victorinox Explorer - this is a very very good choice.
Thanks for sharing! yes - I have done a review of the Explorer - great option.
@@JonGadget Yes, I saw it :) Thank you for this video!
As I understand it (and I'm recalling this from somewhere deep down so I could be wrong), the original Swiss Army knife contract was split between the two companies so as not to show favour to one or other of the either the Swiss German, or Swiss French communities. Wenger being of Swiss German origin, Victorinox of Swiss French origin (I think). So they were both the original makers of the original Swiss Army Knife.
that is correct - so both claims are correct 😁
Hey Jon, I know it came out after this video, but I'm curious what you think of the Victorinox Companion versus the Evolution 14? I think it takes the best feature of the Evo 14 - the dedicated nail file and cleaner - and puts into the standard 91mm Victorinox size, including Plus scales as a bonus. Everyone is making a big deal of it's new box cutter, but I think the nail file in a 3 layer knife is more exciting and takes some of the appeal of the Delemont/former Wenger knives away. Thoughts?
So the evolution falls short of the title evolution 😅😂😂😂thanks for sharing, brother. The sizzors are a letdown for me, too. And I wish victorinox would get rid of the toothpick for the writing pen on all their models 🤙
Hi Jon, although you have demonstrated that on this particular knife the scissors are inferior to the Victorinox scissors,
I think the lever style scissor spring on the Wenga is far superior.
It's the same system
Leatherman and others use.
The Victorinox spring has a tendency to come out of alignment
causing it to jump the recess in the scissor arm.
This also causes problems when closing the scissors back into the knife.
One has to squeeze the spring flush with the scissor arm to close.
I have always wondered why it is that Victorinox got so many things right but not this horrible scissor spring.
agreed The Evolution type spring is superior
Jon is it me or did you decide to focus on your hands and on the knife on the video? The focus kept distracting me while you talked. Awesome video by the way!
Well spotted! I had the focus setting wrong on the camera! Not intentional. Thanks for kind comments on the video.
Interesting comment about pin holes with with all cork screws. I have plenty with corkscrews and no pin hole.
Well you got sold on trying out a SAK with scissors. I looked at every medium size on their site and settled on the Climber for EDC. Have you ever considered doing a video on the Climber?
Much more inexpensive than the Compact, comes in a variety of colours and the added layer really seems worth it. I’m really a fan of a 2nd blade.
I might have considered the Compact if it also came in Sapphire like the Climber. But more money for less and stuck with the basic red, I couldn’t do it.
Great review, nice root beer GMT too 👍
thank you and thank you 👍 I am a big fan of the GMT
Another great video. The Evolution series must have included an evolution of the toothpick and tweezers, as my Wenger (Venger ! ) AP Blaze 13 and Wenger Esquire both have different (read: harder to get out of the scales) toothpicks and tweezers from your review sample. They sit much deeper into the scales and the tweezers have no plastic “head”.
Also, my Wenger Esquire has serrated scissors which I find no better or worse than the scissors on the comparable-sized Vic Classic SD. I liked the Wenger SAKs, and feel the differentiation will all but be forgotten in the not-so-distant future. Thanks for an interesting comparison…my Compact is still my favorite SAK.
Thanks for the feedback 👍 yes, I remember the original Wenger scale tools. Compact still my EDC too!
I can kind of see what you would pick if you where to make your own knife. Mix and match parts to make your EDC knife.
that would be fun
Very nice review. I was looking for a Evolution but the pinhole and good sizers are the make or brake for me. Thanks again, good informative videos.
personally I am a fan of the small blades. I keep them outrageously sharp and re used for intricate work and whittling. essential.
The bonus of the straight-pin ( in the scale next to the corkscrew recess ) I think also adds to the Compact being the better choice IMHO. I use it regularly to un-block windshield washer jets on my work trucks. :)
good point 👍
I like the victorinox compact over the 14 but saying that i think the victorinox compact Vs the victorinox climber would be a very hard choice???? Jonathan thank you for sharing this one with us 👍
yes, very close match - spare blade and hook vs nail file and contoured handles - poor scissors let's it down for me - think it would be Climber
Great review but I would have compared it dierectly with the Climber (as you did but you did not mention). Thanks for demonstrating the huge difference of the sissors. And yes, the Compact ist also my EDC :)
Climber is nearest comparison like-for-like but I really wanted to know if it could replace my EDC.
@@JonGadget it obviously can't. Mine neither 😉
Love your reviews. Very in depth, detailed, and well thought out. Love the history stuff too. I've been thinking about getting a SAK for my wife and I'm thinking about going with one of the Swiss Card options - probably Swiss Card Lite mainly for the light/magnifying glass combo but haven't seen much about the quality of light you get with those tiny lights so I can't decide if it would be worth it. My long-winded question is ... any thoughts on reviewing the Swiss Card series?
I do have it on my list - I shall look at bringing it forward
@@JonGadget Awesome! Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
the Wenger "16" series or Victorinox Sportsman are the best for edc. they've got what you need and none of the excess baggage that you don't. If you can get ahold of a Wenger classic/evo/grip 16 do it, you won't be disappointed. The Vic Sportsman comes in 2nd.
thanks for that - really interesting
Great video as always. I think you will have a tough time finding a suitable replacement for The Compact. It's just too good as an urban edc. I know you're not a big fan of the hook and tooth pick but I am. Like I said in a previous comment I have occasional use for the hook at work as a transit bus driver. In fact I could have used it at work twice last week. Procrastinator me hasn't bought this knife yet and I kicked myself last week for it. It's gonna happen I promise...lol. If you want to know what it's like to be a transit bus driver watch On The Buses. The reality is not as deliberately preposterous but overall the show is closer than you would think.
Great feedback thank you - I grew up with On The Buses 😁 Butler.....
Got Evolution S14 (the one with the locking blade) - and I think I found my perfect SAK!
Surprisingly lightweight and I don't mind if it's a little more bulky.
Much more functional than Cadet or Pioneer X (which is noticeably heavier), at least for me, though I agree that Victorinox scissors are better.
My other favorite is the Rambler. Just wish it had a bigger, sturdier blade. Thinking of modding it into a "Spydernox".
Hi John. Recent subscriber and binge watcher. Do you have plans to expand the scope of what EDC is? ie: not personal carry but something you would carry in a caravan, motorhome or in a car. An example would be a favourite of mine, the Wera Tool-Check Plus.
Hi Mike, thank you for the kind words and welcome to the channel. I do need to introduce more of the kits I use for different environments. I too am a big fan of Wera tools and the Tool-Check Plus is epic and great value as you know 😃
have a wenger knife from before the merger, love the sissors, never sharpened them and still good as new. tweeers are on the inner side of the scale so less likly to fall out in pocket, it broke a bit while I cross loaded it while prying something.
I have both and... The compact is a really good, maybe the best EDC SAK.
But I like the Evo14, mine has grip scale and it's a nice black and red knife.
In my opinion, a 85mm knife has to be small : 3 layers is a good option.
The wenger scissors are not my favorite but the nail file is usefull and I often use it has fidget tool too.
There is a S14 model, it's the same with a locked blade system.
Thanks for your video.
I agree with the comments about the sportman bit I don't like the new version of the nail file.
Really like the Explorer.! Dig the pin hole.
Explorer is good 👍
I rate the best three SAKs as the Climber and the Camper (interchangeable depending on whether scissors or a saw is of most use to you) OR the Huntsman which had both the scissors and the saw. But if you really want a slimmer tool, then there is the Compact but my preference is the first three.
thanks for the feedback Stephen - The Compact is my EDC