video talking

Advanced Blade geometri and drag.

I have discussed some before about blade designs, locking mechanisms and one hand opening. How the stainless steel in processed and the hardening influence every part of the performance.

The edge design and the following design of the blade influence each other when you pull or push it through materials. The thickness of the blade and the angle of it and the edge will influence the performance. The length of the blade and the locking mechanism helps to save time. The one hand opening saves lives.

Many times it is misunderstood what a drag means and it is one thing I have done some testing on. Resistance and drag are sometimes the same when people discuss how blades perform. With the Wenger design and my philosophy it mean the completely opposite. It is unavoidable that there will be resistance in the materials you cut and to get the blade through the material. The New Ranger design is actually so that it helps to push through. The thickness is rather slim and it got the very sharp edge that bites. The drag therefor means that it helps and gives stability to the force you apply. When you tow a car you have a drag. For sure there is no supernatural force helping the blade through that said. The design on blades however influences the ability and the force you must apply to get it through. The best I can say is that this design makes the resistance less and if you test it you will notice how you can use less force to cut. This is a positive drag. Negative drag will be when you have to use much force through a material and cause stops.

Many things with knives is opposite of what should be the common sense. The thinner blade is easier to push through a material. That is common sense. The design will do the same. I hope it does not sound too confusing. 

Another thing that many misunderstand is assisted opening blades and similar products. Assisted opening mean that the blade will be opened with a spring or a device that will open this blade by a touch on the thumb stud. These blades are many times made with a very low resistance for opening the blade.

On Wenger knives it is very different because the slip-joint spring causes a negative resistance that prevents you from opening the blade. Maybe I could call this another thing instead? I will! It is only a positive thing that there is resistance on the opening. Many would say that this is not comfortable and it is a difficult to open. It is actually a positive that will make the opening more controlled, correct and more comfortable. It is a safer blade in every aspect!

Common sense would say assisted opening will be the fastest and the safest. It is actually completely different.

Wenger knives are professional outdoors products and designed for such use.

Many assisted opening blades are excellent outdoors products too.

Drag or resistance can mean many things. For cutting I divide it into positive and negative drag.

For opening the blades it is completely opposite. You want some resistance opening the blade.

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Another thing i would like to mention is that the type of stainless steel influences the cutting performance as well. If you would take two completely different stainless steels side by side with the completely same design then the cutting performance would be very different.  I mentioned that the hardening and type of stainless steel very much influence the performance. I call it good bite when you feel the edge attaches to the material. It is a special feeling when you notice this.

The correct hardening of stainless steels determines the ability of the blades. Wenger blades are typically extra flexible. Wenger knives had their own philosophy on the hardening and flexibility of the stainless steel that had to be a high grade stainless.  The last years of Wenger the New Rangers must have had some extra good steel grades in them.  The New Rangers blades got a distinguished feeling when I use them. It is surprising that this slim blade and edge did bite into tough wood without damage.. It is extremely easy to sharpen and it can with some extra care get supernatural sharp.

When Wenger and Victorinox make products they do it for all the good reasons…

If you look on Drag you will see on the internet talk about air resistance. This is very interesting and it fit perfect into my philosophy on solid materials as well. The correct shape will help you push through a material. There will always be resistance when you cut. How the resistance will feel and how hard depends on all the things written on this page + more…..

Another thing that helps you for the cutting abilities is the handle. Ergonomics and design on the handle will influence the cutting abilities. The longer ergonomic handle will help for the force you apply both on the gripping and pull/push. It is another example about size matters. The longer blade saves time and a good developed handle the same. A good and safe grip saves time and it helps for the performance. Ergonomics influence the stability and comfort very much. The construction of the complete SAK also influences the performance and feel.

Slim and flexible blades got advantages on many materials if you use it correct.

The Wenger New Ranger is one of the best designs ever made in Switzerland.