Victorinox and Wenger has perfected the manufacturing of these quality attachments by integrating the most modern production techniques with conventional craftsmanship. These 2 manufacturers are still the official providers of pocket knives to the Swiss Army. Their current production for the Swiss Army alone totals 50 thousand knives annually. Long famous for its durability, large range of different attachments, and quality components, the current form of the Swiss Army knife has been supplied to the Swiss Army for upwards of 100 years.
Karl Elsener was the first individual to make the Swiss Army knife in its current form. Upon finding out that the Swiss Army were using knives manufactured in Germany, Elsener took it upon himself to make locally manufactured knives. He was not content with his initial knife so took over 5 years to complete the design. As a special touch, he contributed the cross and shield that is still utilized by Victorinox nowadays. In 1909, Elsener renamed his company Victoria, in memory of his late mother. In 1921, when the company started using stainless steel, or inox, to manufacture its knives, it was renamed Victorinox. Victorinox is still owned by the Elsener family, with Carl Elsener leading the company today. The term ‘Swiss Army knife’ was not originally conceptualised by Victorinox. Its official name at the time, ‘Schweizer Offizer Messer’, was too hard to pronounce, and hence the name ‘Swiss Army knife’ was born.
The Swiss Army knife is available in a variety of unique sized models with unique tools. The most common attachments are blades, toothpicks, tweezers, bottle openers, scissors and screwdrivers. However, with the advent of technology a number of newer models have been released with high-tech features including USB thumb drives, digital clocks, MP3 players and optical laser pointers.