Swiss Army Knives are fun to collect, use and to research. If I remember correct the old spring was measured before on a knife to be 2,46mm and the new 2,42mm and that is not a big difference. If
you measure at the edges then the difference is bigger. I absolutely love to talk SAKs and to research them, it gives much joy. Since we are talking about dynamic and construction then there are several variations in the Wenger history. At the late 1980s and
early 1990s we see a different construction and spring design on the Classic 85mm SAKs for example. Here are my impressions on the late 1980s development:
The springs become better polished
and the edges are rounded. They are rounded on both sides with the outside the most rounded. By having a bit less tight construction and peening with rounded edges on the springs you get a bit better comfort opening and closing the functions. I believe by
adjusting the position, peening and spring tension vs the design of the tang you can adjust the dynamic feel. These can be very small differences in deed. A Swiss Army Knife is under tension when closed or in open position. They are advanced knives that can
be very educating to study. By rounding the springs you get a more comfortable grip and feel during use. This you can especially feel on the early 1990s change with the new design that moves the springs to become flush with the dividers and handle. This represents
a large dynamic and design change. The change from the assembly in the late 1980s represents a change with better polished surfaces with a better functionality. You get a smoother operation when you are opening them. You can feel the difference between the
late 1970s, early 1980s and late 1980s knives in my opinion. Also on Victorinox SAKs you can feel the difference with the older knives having a drop in the pressure when you hold the knife blades at 90s degrees give or take. It is a dynamic difference in the
total assembly and design.
On Wenger knives you ca also feel the difference with all the functions that got push lock mechanisms all the way in the history. The spring on the budget 62 today
got a much wider spring at the edges and bit wider on the center. It is a bit deeper too but it is not polished as much so they are not very different if you forget the edges.
14:42
The most important tension from the slip-joint spring is when the blades are in fully open position. This holds and prevents the blade from folding and it represents a stop function when
you use force against the edge. A slip-joint cannot take much pressure in opposite direction with pressure against the back of the blade. This is what one must have in mind all the time if the knife edge gets stuck in a material for example or you bump the
back of the blade against something. Never the less they are wonderful inventions and great for EDC. There must be some design and some pressure when the blade is folded too. To make sure the functions or blades does not open accidentally. SAKs are very well
there. Very pocket friendly.
14:52
With Wenger Swiss Army Knives you can see some differences between the Budget, Basic and Classic categories in small
design appearances. At certain times it becomes very similar with only very small differences. This can be the emblem and no toothpick or tweezers for example. Basically they are from the same production. I recommend
looking further on Your knives and research. Wenger also got production variations all the way from the beginning until the end.
15:30
Some slip-joints developed to have a locking blade. This you can see on the pack-lock knives from the late 1970s. Later in the history a stop function is developed so when you unlock the blade it will
have a stop at almost half position to increase the safety. Other functions may get a 90 degree function. Especially Victorinox use this feature and this is a different design and not like the drop in tension I mentioned. This is a feature so the screwdriver
for example can be used at 90 degrees giving great leverage for some tasks.
The drop in tension from older dynamic constructions is not a half stop but rather a result in my
opinion of the older dynamic construction giving the best tension in open and closed position. It is an interesting detail and worth knowing about.