The Origins of the Swiss Army Knife

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Where it began

The Offisiersmesser, or Swiss Army Knife as it is known today, was originally intended for use as a pocket knife for the Swiss Army in the 1800â€™s. After discovering that the knife was being sold and manufactured by a German company, Swiss born cutlerist Karl Elsener purchased the company to combat unemployment in Switzerland. In 1891 he released a pocket knife with 2 blades, a corkscrew, a can opener and a wire stripper on a spring mechanism that allowed the tools to fold into its casing inspiring the multi-tool wonder that it is today.

Victorinox stands alone
In 1909 after the death of his mother, Victoria, Karl named his company Victorinox (Inox meaning stainless steel). Today Victorinox is the largest manufacturer of the Swiss Army Knife and has been for over 100 years. There are many companies that sell a version of the Swiss Army Knife but none that rival the quality design, ingenuity and durability of the Victorinox product. In 2005 Victorinox acquired its only true rival in the industry, The Wenger Company, furthering the development and future of the Swiss based production.

Who uses it?
The typical Swiss Army Knife is 6 blades on two springs and is relatively lightweight considering all of the tools that are attached. Victorinox has created everything to a single blade pocket knife to a device holding more than 200 tools. The members of the Swiss army are issued a Swiss Army Knife at the inception of their careers and keep it throughout. The New York Museum of Modern Art and the State Museum for Applied Art in Munich both display the Swiss Army Knife as a show for excellence in design. The Swiss Army Knife has also made it to The Guinness Book of World Records with a model consisting of 87 tools with over 115 uses including an LED light, though it's no Streamlight LED flashlight it still does the trick.

Over the years many companies have tried to produce models similar to the Swiss Army knife but none have rivaled the ingenuity, strength and superior design of Karl Elsenerâ€™s.