Our known date on the Wenger Packlock is from the late 1970s. In 1979 this locking is talked about and introduced. I would not be surprised if it is from 1977 but I have no conclusive information
about that.
The locking mechanism itself is only there to prevent accidental closing and it is like I have talked about here on Sakhome.com a safety feature. From my research Wenger started to introduce
the SAK into a more modern design and functionality. From the early 1970s and up to the late 1970s the SAKs change much and new knives and functions are invented. It is obvious for me that the production of the knives must have changed significantly.
The more modern Wenger knife does enter from and in the 1970s.
It is very interesting to see old advertisings and catalogues from this era and look on knives and see.
The 1970s was just the beginning and it tells a story about the Wenger Brand that show brilliance with new products. It does not stop in that decade at all. No it was just the beginning of making the knives we can see from 2004-2013.
The evolution is absolutely there. In the early 1980s the new locking screwdriver to prevent accidental closing arrives and this was another factor in the Philosophy of making the knife more comfortable and safe. The push locking will be adapted to other functions
as well.
If you take the time to see my Wenger Evolution page then it is easier to use the dates and inventions.
The Wenger factory
is modernized in 1987 and 1988 is a magic date with the knives and the design + functionality. From the early 1990s the products and knives are very much modern and adapted into a production and philosophy that we know so very well today. But again it
did not stop in the 1990s and the knives and products are entering the very new change with the Evolution handles we see from 2004. It is important to remember that the Wenger Brand in history has used many different methods of attaching a scale or handle.
It`s been a constant development from the 1970s. From 2004 and up until today changes to the products has been done but for me it just the result of a Brands knives and history from 1893 and up. It is not so that the knives were reinvented in the 1970s.
The Packlock was a milestone in the late 70s and it started a different thinking for safety and functionality. This is my opinion.
The Packlock itself
has seen modifications and changes in the history. This you can see on the springs and constructions. The invention of the S locking is to me the result of the complete philosophy of the packlock mechanism.
From my research I did discover that there is or have always been a constant product development in the Wenger history. Product development must be done to fulfill the company philosophy on how a knife should be and to continue to be competitive
with products and quality. It is for me three parts of the products: innovative thinking, product development and competitive products.