View source for Wenger

{{short description|Swiss Army knife manufacturer}}
{{about|the Swiss Army knife manufacturer|the former Arsenal F.C. manager|Arsène Wenger|other uses|Wenger (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Wenger SA
| logo = Wenger logo.svg
| logo_size = 
| type = [[Société anonyme]]
| genre = 
| fate = Merged with [[Victorinox]]
| predecessor = Paul Boéchat & Cie<br />Wenger & Co. S.A.
| successor = 
| foundation = {{start date and age|1893}}
| founder = Paul Boéchat
| defunct = {{end date|2005}}
| location_city = [[Delémont]], [[Canton of Jura]]
| location_country = Switzerland
| location = 
| locations = 
| area_served = 
| key_people = 
| industry = 
| products = [[Swiss Army Knife|Swiss Army knives]], [[cutlery]], [[watch]]es, [[travel gear]]
| services = 
| market cap = 
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| aum = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owner = 
| num_employees = 150
| parent = [[Victorinox|Victorinox AG]]
| divisions = 
| subsid = [[SwissGear]]
| homepage = {{URL|www.wenger.ch}}
| footnotes = 
| intl = 
}}
[[File:Wenger EvoGrip S17.JPG|thumb|A Wenger Swiss Army knife]]

'''Wenger''' was a [[Economy of Switzerland|Swiss]] cutlery manufacturer that exists today as a brand of once-rival [[Victorinox]], used for knives, watches and licensed products.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.letemps.ch/Page/Uuid/d240080e-6ae2-11e2-a661-7e8480168370/Victorinox_absorbe_les_activit%C3%A9s_de_coutellerie_de_Wenger "Victorinox absorbe les activités de coutellerie de Wenger"]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''[[Le Temps]]'', mercredi 30 janvier 2013.</ref> Founded in 1893, it was best known as one of two companies to manufacture [[Swiss Army knife|Swiss Army knives]]. Based in [[Delémont]], Wenger was acquired in 2005 by Victorinox and partially absorbed.<ref name=acquire>[http://www.europastar.com/europastar/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000904500 "LUXURY WATCHES NEWS : Victorinox acquires rival Wenger"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112004147/http://www.europastar.com/europastar/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000904500 |date=2009-01-12 }}, ''Europa Star WorldWatchWeb'', 4 May 2005.</ref> Since 2013 Wenger Swiss Army knives have been integrated in the Victorinox collection as the "Delémont collection".

==History==
The history of Wenger S.A. is strongly linked to the history of the [[Swiss Army knife]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rise and Fall of Wenger Swiss Army Knives |url=https://www.gearpersonal.com/wenger-knife-history/ |website=Gearpersonal|date=14 December 2022 }}</ref>

== Company origins ==
The industrial cutlery house of Paul Boechat & Cie (the future Wenger) was founded in 1893 at [[Courtételle]] in the Delémont valley in the [[Canton of Jura]].  

It received a contract from the [[Swiss Armed Forces|Swiss Army]] to produce knives as the second industrial cutlery manufacturer of Switzerland.<ref name="Company history">{{cite web |url=http://www.wenger.ch/history |title=Company history |access-date=2013-03-06 |archive-date=2012-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924094739/http://www.wenger.ch/history |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

In 1897 Theodore Wenger, a minister who had served in the US, was returning home to Switzerland and was hired by the group of entrepreneurs that had bought Boechat & Cie two years earlier<ref name="Company history" /> (later renaming the company ''Wenger et Cie.'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wengerna.com/history|title=Company history}}</ref> 

One of Wenger's first acts was to acquire a manufacturer of [[spoon]]s and [[fork]]s which he moved to a rented factory in Delémont.

In 1900, a new {{convert|18000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility was built. Both the utensil operations and the Courtételle cutlery production were incorporated into the new plant now called Fabrique Suisse de Coutellerie et Services.<ref name="Company history" /> 

In 1908 the Swiss Army decided to split the contract, with half of the order going to Victorinox, in the German-speaking canton of [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]], and the other half to Wenger in the French-speaking part of the canton of [[Bern]].<ref>[http://www.wengerna.com/content1039 Company history], Wenger</ref> 

In 1929, after Theo Wenger's death, Kaspar Oertli gained the majority share in the company.

===Between 1929 and 2005===
{{expand section|date=October 2022}}
In 1988, Wenger started producing watches, one year before Victorinox.<ref>[http://www.wengerna.com/why-wenger Company history extended] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818072434/http://www.wengerna.com/why-wenger |date=2012-08-18 }}, Wenger</ref>

===Crisis and restart===
After the [[September 11 attacks]] all air traveling and related industries were facing a severe crisis. This was also the case for the Swiss Army knife manufacturers especially Wenger S.A. 

Changing airport security regulations which precluded the carrying of pocket knives diminished the sales of [[Swiss Army knives]] at duty-free shops. The crisis led to the acquisition of Wenger by its competitor Victorinox in 2005.<ref>[http://www.europastar.com/1000904500/ Victorinox takes over Wenger], Wenger</ref>  

With the backing of Victorinox, Wenger was able for a time to maintain its own production and branding of Swiss army knives and watches. Wenger knives had been advertised as the "Genuine Swiss Army Knife" and Victorinox as the "Original Swiss Army Knife".

===Rebranding after acquisition===
After being acquired by Victorinox, in 2005 Wenger S.A. started to develop new products. 

In the process of rebranding itself as a provider of multifunctional tools for outdoor adventures,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wenger.ch/stuff/contentmgr/files/2/26eb70a065a0164bdcdbb791ec3d93ce/files/wenger_rebranding_release.pdf|title=Re-branding press release}}</ref> Wenger started to cooperate with individuals such as [[Ueli Steck]] and [[Mike Horn]] acting as their brand ambassadors providing each of them with a suited multi-functional tool adapted to their specific challenges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wengerna.com/brand-ambassadors|title=Brand ambassadors}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 

Additionally Wenger cooperated with [[Alinghi]] providing the sailors with a suited multifunctional tool.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wengerna.com/alinghi|title=Cooperation with Alinghi|access-date=2013-03-06|archive-date=2013-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130031633/http://www.wengerna.com/alinghi|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most recently Wenger supports the [[Patagonia Expedition Race]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wengerna.com/the-wenger-patagonian-expedition-race|title=Cooperation with Patagonia Expedition Race|access-date=2013-03-06|archive-date=2011-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108003637/http://www.wengerna.com/the-wenger-patagonian-expedition-race|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Product lines merging===
On January 30, 2013, Wenger and Victorinox announced that the separate knife brands were going to be merged into one brand: Victorinox. 

The press release stated that Wenger's factory in Delémont would continue to produce knives and all employees at this site will retain their jobs. They further elaborated that an assortment of items from the Wenger line-up will remain in production under the Victorinox brand name. 

Wenger's U.S. headquarters will be merged with Victorinox's location in [[Monroe, Connecticut]]. Wenger's watch and licensing business will continue as a separate brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wengerna.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/6/0a82f37ec9ef875e15b019e83ff52ead/pdf/vx_wenger_mediainformation_e_130130.pdf|title=Victorinox joins forces and integrates Wenger knife business|access-date=2013-03-06|archive-date=2013-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112024548/http://www.wengerna.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/6/0a82f37ec9ef875e15b019e83ff52ead/pdf/vx_wenger_mediainformation_e_130130.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Recent developments===
In March 2016, during the Baselworld 2016 expo, Victorinox relaunched the Wenger brand with marketing emphasising Swiss values at a reasonable price. Wenger changed its slogan to "A Swiss Company Since 1893" from "Maker of the genuine Swiss Army Knife", which was used for decades.<ref>{{cite web|title=Victorinox relaunches the Wenger brand - Press release|url=http://int.wenger.ch:80/en/news/news-stories/victorinox-relaunches-wenger-brand|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128023259/http://int.wenger.ch:80/en/news/news-stories/victorinox-relaunches-wenger-brand|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 January 2017|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>

In 2017, Victorinox released a Swiss Army Knife model named “Wenger Red”. 

This knife has the Wenger logo and the Wenger brand name in the scale of the knife. This knife is delivered in a box with the Victorinox logo and brand name. This part number is produced in Delémont, Switzerland. 

This is the only Swiss Army Knife with the Wenger logo and brand name that is being produced and sold as today.

==Products==
The two main product lines of Wenger S.A. are the "Genuine Swiss Army Knife" and Wenger Watch. 

Additionally Wenger S.A. makes kitchen cutlery under the brand names of Swibo, Grand Maitre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wenger.ch/cutlery|title=Wenger cutlery}}</ref>

=== Genuine Swiss Army Knife ===
{{Main|Swiss Army knife}}
Wenger produced pocket knives with body sizes ranging from about 65 mm to 130 mm (2.5" to 5") and blades of about 50 mm to 100 mm (2" to 4") in a red- or black-coloured case. 

These knives often featured tools such as can openers and screwdrivers. 

Since 2004, Wenger's "Evolution" series introduced ergonomic handles designed by Swiss designers Patrick Eppenberger and Paolo Fancelli, although the classic flat handles remained available.

Additionally, Wenger offered handles in various colors and materials, distinguishing itself from Victorinox by using a rectangular frame around the Swiss cross emblem (Victorinox uses a shield-shaped frame). 

On Wenger knife blades, the brand name was accompanied by an embossed armbrust (crossbow), referencing Swiss national hero [[William Tell|Wilhelm Tell]].

Wenger produced numerous variants of Swiss Army knives, catering to diverse needs:

==== Basic models ====
These included only a blade and a multifunction tool that acted as a bottle opener, can opener, and screwdriver.

==== Specialized models ====
For specific groups like cyclists, golfers, or anglers, Wenger offered tailored knife designs.

==== Larger models ====
The Ranger, NewRanger, and RangerGrip lines, measuring 127 mm when closed, featured locking blades with a liner-lock system. 

Certain models were designed for one-handed opening, which restricted their carry in Germany under § 42a of the German Weapons Act.

==== The Giant ====
The Swiss Army knife is famous for integrating different tools into one knife. Wenger created "The Giant," a knife featuring 87 tools and 141 functions, securing a Guinness World Record for the largest Swiss Army knife.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most tools on one penknife |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/85961-most-tools-on-one-penknife |website=Guinness World Records}}</ref> 

It measured 24 cm in width, weighed 1345 g, and was first introduced in 2007.

==== Heritage ====
Based on the original 1908 Swiss Army knife, Wenger introduced the limited-edition Heritage line.

=== Collaborated products ===
Wenger collaborated with individuals and organizations to create specialized knives:

==== Titanium Line ====
Designed for speed climber [[Ueli Steck]], these knives met the demands of extreme mountaineering challenges.

==== Alinghi SUI 1 ====
Developed for the Swiss America’s Cup sailing team Alinghi, these knives were tailored for sailors and used during the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007.

==== Mike Horn Knife ====
Released in 2009, this knife supported adventurer and environmentalist Mike Horn's expeditions.

==== Patagonia Expedition Race Knife ====
Created for participants of the Wenger-sponsored Patagonia Expedition Race.

=== Wenger Cutlery Products ===

==== Kitchen knives ====
Wenger marketed kitchen knives under the "Grand Maître" brand ("Great Master") for private use and "SWIBO" for professional use, including butcher’s knives with signature bright yellow handles. Later, other handle colors were introduced.

By maintaining a blend of innovation and tradition, Wenger solidified its place in the history of Swiss Army knives, offering both practical tools and collectible items.
===Wenger Watches===
{{Main|SwissGear}}
Wenger Watches are made in Switzerland. The company's head office is located in Delémont Switzerland. 

watches are supposedly related to the basic ideas and concept of the Swiss Army Knife, having a multifunctional outdoor focus. Additionally Wenger produces several watches focusing only on elegance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wenger.ch|title=Wenger International - Wenger Homepage|website=Wenger}}</ref>

==Other products==
Wenger makes notepads that can function as a twofold wallet.

Wenger produced [[bayonet]]s for the Swiss [[SIG SG 550|Stgw 90]] assault rifle. The bayonet has an overall length of 310&nbsp;mm and a muzzle ring diameter of 22&nbsp;mm. The 177&nbsp;mm long blade is single-edged and it has no [[fuller (weapon)|fuller]]. 

The bayonets were manufactured exclusively for the Swiss Army by Wenger and Victorinox (before the two companies merged).

In North America, licensed products using the Wenger and [[SwissGear]] trademarks are owned independently from Victorinox SA, and are used to market camping equipment (particularly tents, backpacks and sleeping bags), luggage, backpacks and office/business needs.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Ranger 73.JPG|Ranger 73
File:Ranger Grip 75.JPG| RangerGrip 75
File:Bayonet SG550.JPG|Stgw 90 bayonet
File:Wenger Highlander.jpg|Wenger Highlander
File:Wenger-Evogrip-16.jpg|Wenger Evogrip 16
File:Wenger-Pocketgrip.jpg|Wenger Pocketgrip
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Leatherman]]
* [[Gerber multitool]]
* [[Multi-tool]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Wenger}}
*[https://www.wenger.ch Official global company website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19991013021603/http://wengerna.com/ Official US company website]
*[http://www.wengerwatches.co.uk Dedicated UK fan website]
*[https://mochilassuizas.com/wenger/ Wenger Backpacks]

{{Knives}}
{{Tool manufacturers}}
{{Portal bar|Companies|Switzerland}}

[[Category:Swiss brands|watch brands]]
[[Category:Knife manufacturing companies]]
[[Category:Multi-tool manufacturers]]
[[Category:Victorinox]]
[[Category:Watch brands]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1893]]
[[Category:Swiss companies established in 1893]]
[[Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Watch manufacturing companies of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Tool manufacturing companies of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Companies based in the canton of Jura]]