The story of the Swiss Army Knife

The Swiss Army Knife is an iconic multi-tool known for its versatility and precision craftsmanship with a story dating back to Switzerland in the late 19th century.

Origins

In the 1880s, the Swiss Army needed a compact tool for soldiers to assist with opening canned food and disassembling the Schmidt-Rubin, the Swiss service rifle. The Swiss government procured a standard-issue knife for its soldiers and approached several manufacturers.

The Birth of the Swiss Army Knife

Karl Elsener

In 1891, Karl Elsener, a Swiss cutler, took on the challenge of producing the first Swiss Army Knife. Most knives were imported from Germany then, but Elsener wanted to create a high-quality, locally-made product. He founded the Association of Swiss Master Cutlers, which aimed to supply the Swiss Army with a reliable knife made in Switzerland.

Elsener's first design, known as the "Soldier's Knife," was issued to the army in 1891. It featured a blade, a reamer, a can opener, and a screwdriver, making it a simple yet functional tool for soldiers.

The Evolution and Expansion

In 1897, Karl Elsener developed a more versatile version of the knife, called the "Offiziersmesser" or "Officer's Knife." This version included additional tools like a second smaller blade, a corkscrew, and more, making it useful for soldiers, officers, and the general public. The Officer's Knife was not officially issued to Swiss soldiers but quickly became popular in civilian life.

Elsener's company, Victorinox (a portmanteau of his mother’s name, Victoria, and "inox," the French term for stainless steel), became the primary manufacturer of Swiss Army Knives (SAKs). Another Swiss company, Wenger, founded in 1893 near Delémont in the canton of Jura, also began producing Swiss Army Knives and for many years the two companies shared the contract to supply knives to the Swiss Army. This led to a friendly rivalry, with Victorinox knives being marketed as "The Original Swiss Army Knife" and Wenger knives as "The Genuine Swiss Army Knife."

Early 20th Century Swiss Army Knife

The Global Icon

Over the years, the Swiss Army Knife has become a symbol of reliability, ingenuity and Swiss precision. Its compact design and multiple functions made it a popular tool among adventurers, travellers, and even astronauts. NASA astronauts officially carried the Swiss Army Knife into space, further cementing its reputation as a tool of choice for all situations.

In 2005, Victorinox acquired Wenger, and since then, all Swiss Army Knives have been produced under the Victorinox brand.

Modern Swiss Army Knives

Today, Swiss Army Knives come in a wide range of models, from simple knives with just a few tools to complex models with dozens of functions, including scissors, magnifying glasses, digital clocks, USB drives, and more. Despite the evolution in design and technology, the essence of the Swiss Army Knife remains the same: a compact, reliable, and versatile tool that can handle a wide variety of tasks.

The Swiss Army Knife continues to be a beloved tool worldwide, representing the values of Swiss craftsmanship and practicality.