The Swiss Army knife was first created in Switzerland in the late 19th century. Originally manufactured for the Swiss Army, it is now the best-selling pocket knife globally. Victorinox and Wenger, the producers and proprietors of the copyrighted term ‘Swiss Army knife’, still supply the Swiss Army with 50,000 of these knives each year. With an extensive variety of tools, the Swiss Army knife is favoured amongst travellers, army personnel, hikers, campers or those just looking for the perfect present for someone. They are so well known across the globe that they are instantaneously recognised as the premier brand of pocket knives.
The origin of the very first Swiss Army knife can be traced back to Karl Elsener. K. Elsener was a patriarch who was Dismayed to learn the knives supplied to the Swiss Army were created in Germany. It took K. Elsener some 5 years to manufacture the first knife used by the Swiss Army that was actually made in Switzerland. In 1909, Elsener renamed his company Victoria, after his mother who had recently passed away. 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 K. Elsener family, with Carl Elsener leading the company today. The term ‘Swiss Army knife’ was not initially conceptualised by Victorinox. Its recognised name at the time, ‘Schweizer Offizer Messer’, was too difficult to say, and hence the name ‘Swiss Army knife‘ was born.
The Swiss Army knife has a plethora of various tools and components that can be used for everyday purposes, adventure, hiking, travelling, first aid and much more. With the addition of several new models in recent years, the knives have become even more popular. Victorinox, for example, now makes upwards of 100 different models. These range from miniature models with a single blade to superior models with over eighty different types of tools.
How to clean your Swiss Army Knife?