I did a double-take when confronted by this article.
The Wenger Giant, also known as the Wenger 16999, is the largest Swiss Army Knife ever made.
The Giant comprises 87 tools that can perform 141 different functions. It is the only SAK that has the most tools, as it has every tool that Wenger has ever produced for their 85mm Swiss Army Knives ... the Guinness Book Of World Records awarded it the distinction of being the ‘most multifunctional penknife‘.
There's more at the link. Here's a video demonstration of the beast.
I have to ask: is it actually a practical, usable tool? Seems to me it's so big and bulky as a whole, compared to the size of each individual tool in it, that it'd be almost impossible to wield it with any dexterity. It's a great conversation-piece, sure, and it testifies to your wealth that you can afford to own it, but actually to use it? Perhaps not so much . . .
Peter
Talk about baggy pockets needed to carry it!
ReplyDeleteIf you need 2 hands to lift it, its not a pen knife its an expensive knick knack.
ReplyDeleteExile1981
It is a very effective tool and worked quite well for the intended job. No, not as a boat anchor or for Ian to disassemble a car during a road trip. It is effective as advertising.
ReplyDeleteI have a Victorinox SwissChamp and that beast is about as big as a pouch (not pocket) knife can get and still be useful IMO
My understanding is that it was originally intended as a final exam for people who assemble.the knives.
ReplyDeleteMark D
There are reasons why mechanics don't connect their wrenches. The Swiss Army knife thing is useless. It's made for the afficianerdo.
ReplyDeleteI've owned plenty of SAK's, never actually bought one,
ReplyDeleteall gifted or promotional, and all gone. they were occasionally useful although marginal for most tasks forty or fifty years ago when there wasn't anything else that would fit in your pocket. The blades didn't hold an edge for me. This is an expensive curiosity. Knowing it originates with the Swiss it's not worth looking up the price. I collect a few
Camillus and carry a Buck stockman or a folding hunter. rick m
Multi-functional? Too bulky and unwieldly to be useful in any practical sense of the word. Made for advertising purposes only.
ReplyDeleteThis may be language barrier thing, but I'd ask if it's actually useful rather than does it actually work.
ReplyDeleteI assume it will work in the sense that I could fold out a tool and then fold it back in. Whether it's useful or not depends on if I could use that tool to do something. It sure doesn't look useful. Especially with the idea being something handy you have on your person at all times, for that odd loose screw or hanging thread. It looks like it wouldn't fit in Batman's utility belt.
I'll stick with my Deluxe Tinker, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteI thought Wenger itself got bought up by Victorinox and is now a "lifetsyle brand". It's website is all watches and backpacks.
My wife bought me a Swiss Champ pocket knife which has the perfect amount of features for Father's Day a few year back and it works fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThere is a Swiss Champ XXL that has a full driver set but that was just too cumbersome. Any bigger than the Swiss Champ and you may as well go to a Leatherman type tool.
I just have Rochester carry mine.
ReplyDeleteI think it exists strictly as advertising and also as a "proof" build, i.e. to test and train apprentices. It's not a functional tool by any stretch of the imagination. I've owned a few regular SAK's and my opinion is that the fewer tools per knife, the better. One large blade, one small, screwdriver, can opener, wine screw opener, and that's about it. In reference to anonymous at 10:15 am, I actually liked the blade and it would hold an edge pretty well. Not shaving sharp, but enough for most small tasks.
ReplyDeleteI have the smallest SAK made on my keychain for the toothpick and the tweezers. Too cumbersome for much else because of the keychain. This monstrosity is that in spades. The Case Stockman kept in the same pocket is much more useful as a knife. I carried a SAK Tinker Boy Scout version for years. Sacrificed the cork screw for an awl.
ReplyDeleteNot a single one of the holsters in that big box in the closet will handle it. Will have to pass!
ReplyDeleteNever has manufacturing offered the world such a vivid example of the axiom "Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should."
ReplyDeleteThe Giant is an unworkable curiosity, verging on a bad joke, and directly negating the classic utility of the standard offerings.
This is what happens when the idiots in PR and Advertising are driving the bus, instead of the Engineering Department.
My guess is that it's purely a novelty item. Ever since I was a kid I've carried a Boy Scout knife, or some iteration of it with me every day. It's just part of getting dressed in the morning. I used to like the US Army version with the steel casing, but the last one I had just broke, so I went to the Victorinox years ago. Actually, the most frequently used feature is the toothpick. ;)
ReplyDeleteJWM