Riveted design and construction quality
I would like to talk some more about the riveted design and construction used on Swiss Army Knives. Without
a doubt I do like the use of other assembly designs used on products in the world. It is a helpful feature to be able to turn a pivot screw or similar designs. It is so that the Saks usually got the riveted design that can only be adjusted by a professional
or a modder. It is so that in all of the cases the riveted assembly is strong enough for the uses it was intended for.
Actually this design may be better than a pivot or different turning assembly
types. I was amazed by the Victorinox 111mm Services Range or the liner-locking type knives. There is not damage to the rivets or pins, the construction is rock solid. If there is damage there you would feel it pretty easy. Victorinox did like we know
increase the rivet/pin diameter on the 111mm Services Range and designed a construction that is very good.
After more personal tests on the Wenger Ranger knives I can once again tell that the riveted
design is without any negative factors. Wenger did not change the diameter of the pins much but instead use a different material.
One of the factors that I find very interesting is the engineering
and product development used on the Wenger Brand knives; it is super modern and made with precision. The construction itself is very important for the forces that are distributed in it during use. A Sak is very advanced and it is not strange that so
many people are interested in how it works and functions. I can only imagine all the work needed to complete the design of a new category of knives but it is easy to see that the core philosophies and the basic constructions always or usually always
follow the new product. It is here that the traditions and knowledge from the beginning until today explains why this works best on a SAK. The knife may be super modern but it is also the result of all the history.
I have continued to use the New Ranger knives for my personal interest and tests. One of the key factors I had in mind was how the main blade and functions would take some force and cutting tasks. I was interested in learning more about
how the springs, locking mechanism, rivets/pins and wear would influence the product after time. The most important factor is how it is after some time. I have mentioned around on my Ranger pages about the different factors I have noticed on them. So far I
cannot find any negative things to say. Basically there is no change on any parts that would be negative.
The main blade on the knives is slim and I had in mind the length as well before I
tested it. The main blade is rather long, slim and used on a modified liner-locking slip joint mechanism. One would expect that some complications could happen. After rather hard cutting is different wood types and mostly spruce the blade is not bent and there
is no sideways play. The main blade also feels very solid when force is applied against a surface with the edge. By doing so it is obvious that there will be forces working on the pins, slip-joint spring and construction. There is no change after use
on the New Ranger knife. It is very solid and the only small play is against the locking mechanism but this was how it came new.
On the New Ranger knives by Wenger you can feel some play against
the lock; some got no play and others some more. This is normal and it is because of the lock and that it is designed to prevent accidental closing only and that it is a different construction + the spring design. There are some modifications done on the new
Victorinox and Wenger merged products. There would never be any philosophy other than preventing accidental closing anyhow with such locking mechanism and philosophy. Usually every modification and change is becasue of the constant product development
and Victorinox is also much known for this.
I have not used any dates on when I started the personal tests on the New ranger knives but is some years now from time to time.
My research on all the different Victorinox and Wenger Swiss Army Knives on any category, is that the riveted design last and last with good result always.
The
biggest advantage with a screw assembly would be the cleaning factor.
It is important to have in mind that a locking blade knife is not made so people should forget correct use. The best philosophy
is that it should be used with the mindset that it is just a slip-joint. By doing so one would prevent a negative surprise if you should use a normal SAK. In the history of the knives the philosophy of safe use is always there. If you take a look around my
New Ranger pages and the different under-pages then you can read some more about this and see my philosophy on them. Check out my pages on safety knives as well if you get the time.
It is not easy
to explain always with the safety on knives and the products.
Screw assembly vs riveted design:
I do not want to write and say that one may be better than the other. My impression on any SAK is that it works well enough and the cleaning is not a problem for a person that cares about his knife.
One very important factor with a screw assembly type is the correct distribution. By this i mean that there would or could be damage on the mechanism and springs if it is overturned or to loose. It would or could produce new problems
for peoples use. It would be more difficult thus more functions it got. For the main person or user the normal design used by Wenger and Victorinox works very well. Screw assembly has been used by Wenger on the Eka collaboration for example.
I have seen some other knives that is not Wenger and Victorinox with screw assembly
that has a tendency to get loose from use even with lock-tite. It is very strange.