I almost wish Victorinox would bring back the old school Wenger can opener. I feel like even if you never open cans, you could sharpen it up a bit and use it as a great package opener
Here's one better: Victorinox should actually bring back the Wenger line! Yes, the can opener is better, and scissors in the 84/85mm size would be great!😊
I found an Evolution S17 on eBay and grabbed it. I think the locking blade is a clear advantage over the regular Victorinox knives, and outside the UK (or even inside, if you're prepared to ignore tyrannical law) it's a good safety feature to keep the knife from closing on your fingers. So, they discontinued the Delmont line? That sucks, but it does explain why it's so hard to find the Evolution knives.
Yeah, mine doesn’t have a locking blade - I really wish we were allowed to carry locking blades in the uk for the added safety they offer… ☹️🤷♂️ And yes, Victorinox discontinued so many knives last year, including the entire Delemont range. But they haven’t done anything new or interesting to replace any of the discontinued models… 😤
One potential problem with the file on the sportsman is that the ‘file’ face is inward turned and can scrape on the blade next to it, marring and damaging the next blade. The Evolution file faces out. There is no other blade against it. I am also somewhat ambivalent on the Wenger-style serrated scissors.
Yeah have heard that about the Sportsman file: I’ve got several of those though and never had a problem with any of them scraping the main blade at all. I’m not a big fan of those serrated scissors tbh - much prefer the standard Vic plain edge ones 👍
Happy Wednesday Mr.A. I am a fan of the Evolution / EvoGrip 14 genre & have several models both Wenger & Victorinox. The model 14 of this genre evolved from the Wenger Traveler model that had plain red scales & was the 85mm equivalent of the 91mm Victorinox Climber. In my collection I have an original Wenger Traveler & a hard to come by Wenger Teton which differs only in having a small clip point blade in place of the nail file and the very rare Wenger Evolution 14 SoftTouch which has black tactile Evolution scales with a silky rubberised black coating over the entire handle. This new handle was designed to offer increased comfort during use & this version also replaced the main blade with a clip-point design blade. Of my 3 Wengers the only one that I occasionally pocket carry is the E 14 SoftTouch & I have the same Victorinox made red/black EvoGrip 14 model that you are reviewing & its an occasional carry in my EDC rotation. IMO the EvoGrrip 14 is far too expensive & so is less popular than the Climber despite having very grippable handles, a better shaped blade & the very useful nail file that doubles as a Philips screwdriver
Thank you for the comments, Steve! I came across an Evo 14 SoftToich for sale a few weeks ago and stupidly let it slip by - wish I’d bought it! You have an amazing collection from hearing your comments! I do like the Evogrip 14 a lot but the increased price of the Delemont range does baffle me a bit. Someone else commented they’d heard Vic are going to drop this line soon so I’m going to hold onto this one I think (it’s the only Delemont model I own, although I’ve got a couple of older Wengers kicking about somewhere).
@@accoutrements4469 Good Evening & Happy Thursday Mr.A. I have not heard about Victorinox dropping this line, I wont be surprised if they do as it is too pricey to compete with the Climber . I also have in my collection 3 of the EvoGrip S17 model ( 1 Wenger & 2 Victorinox Delmont) which is the equivalent of the Huntsman but with a locking blade so it will be unavailable in the UK. If Victorinox does drop the Delmonts 14 & 17 it will be because they are too high priced to sell as well as the Climbers & Huntsman
I've got several of the Sportsman models but the oldest is only maybe 4 years old. I don't know when they changed the file over to this new style but it is MUCH batter than the old style file 👍
A couple of people have now said this - I think for me it’s going to be more of a collector’s item now the Delemont line has been axed, so the rubber won’t really see much action. Interesting to hear this though - I’ve never owned a Vic/Wenger with the rubber inserts before.
I have a Wenger and a Victorinox s101 both with the locking blade. I love them. They don't sell the S101 anymore. Don't know why they're so expensive. I think Victorinox is planning to stop producing the 84 mm Victorinox Delémont (ex Wenger) before the end of 2023.
Oh that’s interesting about the Delemont line possibly ceasing….! It almost seems like they WANT to have reduced Delemont sales with the much higher pricing of them for very little benefit over their traditional range?? I’d personally love to see Vic’s 84mm models with the normal smooth scissors so perhaps that might be around the corner of the Delemont line ends… I would rather carry the locking blade versions of any knife but the laws are very strict in the uk so we’re not allowed locking blades out in public 😒🤷♂️
@@accoutrements4469 I live in France. The laws about knives are quite fuzzy here, which can be dangerous. Let's say that you have the right to carry a knife if you have a good reason to... That's as fuzzy as that. Here is where I heard they're going to stop producing the 84 mm Delémont th-cam.com/video/ebono09qNLE/w-d-xo.html
Yeah I’ve done that on some of my other victorinoxes- it works ok, just not as good as the ready-made pin slot. Hardly ever use the pin so it’s not the end of the world or anything ✌️
@@CuriousGoose yeah easy to fit - you prise the old scales off using a blade or something and these micarta scales will fit exactly (mine have been a perfect fit) in their place with pressure applied: the recommended way is to pop the knife with scales (with protection for the scales - some cloth or something) on into a vice and apply gentle pressure (not too much pressure so as to not crush any of the metal parts or damage anything) until they’re on firm and flush, or I sometimes just use a set of water pump pliers and crimp them on using those if I can’t be bothered to go out to the garage to my vice. Obviously protect the scales with some real thick fabric if you’re using pliers with teeth. I’m going to do a quick vid tomorrow to demonstrate but I think there’s loads of vids on Pootube showing how to do this already. I can highly recommend his micarta scales tho - beautiful work 👌
A couple of people have said this - this knife has had very little use so far for me though, I think it’s going to be more of a collector’s item for me now the Delemont line has been axed
I almost wish Victorinox would bring back the old school Wenger can opener. I feel like even if you never open cans, you could sharpen it up a bit and use it as a great package opener
That would probably work quite well as a package opener! 👍
Here's one better: Victorinox should actually bring back the Wenger line! Yes, the can opener is better, and scissors in the 84/85mm size would be great!😊
I found an Evolution S17 on eBay and grabbed it.
I think the locking blade is a clear advantage over the regular Victorinox knives, and outside the UK (or even inside, if you're prepared to ignore tyrannical law) it's a good safety feature to keep the knife from closing on your fingers.
So, they discontinued the Delmont line? That sucks, but it does explain why it's so hard to find the Evolution knives.
Yeah, mine doesn’t have a locking blade - I really wish we were allowed to carry locking blades in the uk for the added safety they offer… ☹️🤷♂️ And yes, Victorinox discontinued so many knives last year, including the entire Delemont range. But they haven’t done anything new or interesting to replace any of the discontinued models… 😤
One potential problem with the file on the sportsman is that the ‘file’ face is inward turned and can scrape on the blade next to it, marring and damaging the next blade. The Evolution file faces out. There is no other blade against it.
I am also somewhat ambivalent on the Wenger-style serrated scissors.
Yeah have heard that about the Sportsman file: I’ve got several of those though and never had a problem with any of them scraping the main blade at all.
I’m not a big fan of those serrated scissors tbh - much prefer the standard Vic plain edge ones 👍
Happy Wednesday Mr.A. I am a fan of the Evolution / EvoGrip 14 genre & have several models both Wenger & Victorinox. The model 14 of this genre evolved from the Wenger Traveler model that had plain red scales & was the 85mm equivalent of the 91mm Victorinox Climber. In my collection I have an original Wenger Traveler & a hard to come by Wenger Teton which differs only in having a small clip point blade in place of the nail file and the very rare Wenger Evolution 14 SoftTouch which has black tactile Evolution scales with a silky rubberised black coating over the entire handle. This new handle was designed to offer increased comfort during use & this version also replaced the main blade with a clip-point design blade. Of my 3 Wengers the only one that I occasionally pocket carry is the E 14 SoftTouch & I have the same Victorinox made red/black EvoGrip 14 model that you are reviewing & its an occasional carry in my EDC rotation. IMO the EvoGrrip 14 is far too expensive & so is less popular than the Climber despite having very grippable handles, a better shaped blade & the very useful nail file that doubles as a Philips screwdriver
Thank you for the comments, Steve! I came across an Evo 14 SoftToich for sale a few weeks ago and stupidly let it slip by - wish I’d bought it! You have an amazing collection from hearing your comments! I do like the Evogrip 14 a lot but the increased price of the Delemont range does baffle me a bit. Someone else commented they’d heard Vic are going to drop this line soon so I’m going to hold onto this one I think (it’s the only Delemont model I own, although I’ve got a couple of older Wengers kicking about somewhere).
@@accoutrements4469 Good Evening & Happy Thursday Mr.A. I have not heard about Victorinox dropping this line, I wont be surprised if they do as it is too pricey to compete with the Climber . I also have in my collection 3 of the EvoGrip S17 model ( 1 Wenger & 2 Victorinox Delmont) which is the equivalent of the Huntsman but with a locking blade so it will be unavailable in the UK. If Victorinox does drop the Delmonts 14 & 17 it will be because they are too high priced to sell as well as the Climbers & Huntsman
Great video..is the Evo 14 the same as the evo S14? Or does the S mean side lock?
Yes the ‘S’ model is the locking blade version. We’re not allowed to carry those in the uk, unfortunately 🤷♂️☹️
How old is your sportsman? Mine has the file like the one on the eve grip. I like yours better lol
I've got several of the Sportsman models but the oldest is only maybe 4 years old. I don't know when they changed the file over to this new style but it is MUCH batter than the old style file 👍
If that is the usual rubberised plastic it will deteriorate especially if you get oil on it
A couple of people have now said this - I think for me it’s going to be more of a collector’s item now the Delemont line has been axed, so the rubber won’t really see much action. Interesting to hear this though - I’ve never owned a Vic/Wenger with the rubber inserts before.
I liked the Evo 14 because its grip to do a lot of tasks great video !
The grip scales are really nice for sure! 👍
They still slip out of your pocket!
I have a Wenger and a Victorinox s101 both with the locking blade. I love them. They don't sell the S101 anymore. Don't know why they're so expensive. I think Victorinox is planning to stop producing the 84 mm Victorinox Delémont (ex Wenger) before the end of 2023.
Oh that’s interesting about the Delemont line possibly ceasing….! It almost seems like they WANT to have reduced Delemont sales with the much higher pricing of them for very little benefit over their traditional range?? I’d personally love to see Vic’s 84mm models with the normal smooth scissors so perhaps that might be around the corner of the Delemont line ends…
I would rather carry the locking blade versions of any knife but the laws are very strict in the uk so we’re not allowed locking blades out in public 😒🤷♂️
@@accoutrements4469 I live in France. The laws about knives are quite fuzzy here, which can be dangerous. Let's say that you have the right to carry a knife if you have a good reason to... That's as fuzzy as that. Here is where I heard they're going to stop producing the 84 mm Delémont th-cam.com/video/ebono09qNLE/w-d-xo.html
Evo grip scissors may look like they can cut through thicker material, but they have problem with paracord
Must say I’ve not tried them on paracord. I quite like the mechanism on the Evo but I definitely prefer the original Victorinox design scissors.
Just heat up a needle and push it into the scale and make a slot for the pin. I hope that doesn't come across condescending. It's just an idea.
Yeah I’ve done that on some of my other victorinoxes- it works ok, just not as good as the ready-made pin slot. Hardly ever use the pin so it’s not the end of the world or anything ✌️
I need Micarta scales. They look so good.
From Etsy seller ‘Taschenmessermad’ - he makes really beautiful scales 👌 Have a look!
@@accoutrements4469 just found them, are they easy to fit?
@@CuriousGoose yeah easy to fit - you prise the old scales off using a blade or something and these micarta scales will fit exactly (mine have been a perfect fit) in their place with pressure applied: the recommended way is to pop the knife with scales (with protection for the scales - some cloth or something) on into a vice and apply gentle pressure (not too much pressure so as to not crush any of the metal parts or damage anything) until they’re on firm and flush, or I sometimes just use a set of water pump pliers and crimp them on using those if I can’t be bothered to go out to the garage to my vice. Obviously protect the scales with some real thick fabric if you’re using pliers with teeth. I’m going to do a quick vid tomorrow to demonstrate but I think there’s loads of vids on Pootube showing how to do this already. I can highly recommend his micarta scales tho - beautiful work 👌
As it’s going to be discontinued I’d say but it for £40 quid
Yeah, shame they’ve finished this line of products 😕
Rubber wears off soon
A couple of people have said this - this knife has had very little use so far for me though, I think it’s going to be more of a collector’s item for me now the Delemont line has been axed