The right tool for every job
Imagine this: You're locked outside a space station because the door won't open. You're acutely aware of your limited oxygen supply and the thin aluminum wall protecting you from the infinite expanse of space. What do you do?
In November 1995, astronaut Chris Hadfield found himself in this situation. After three days of traveling in space, the shuttle Atlantis had finally docked with the Russian space station Mir. Chris and the rest of the crew were eager to begin their three-day mission to resupply and upgrade the space station. But there was one problem: the door wouldn't open.
Launching into space at over 27,000 km/h, about 320 km above Earth, Chris had to be careful. Only a few inches of metal separated him and his crew from the icy, harsh void of space. The slightest mistake could easily result in the loss of life or billions of dollars' worth of equipment. Naturally, he decided he had to break the space station's $4.2 billion door.
"So," Hadfield would later write in his book, "I did the most original thing in the space age: I sneaked into the Mir station with a Swiss Army knife . Never leave the planet without one."
Around the world and above
Whether you're on the planet or above, the Swiss Army Knife is synonymous with reliability and versatility. By far the most trusted and recognized pocket knife in the world, the Swiss Army Knife has become the benchmark by which we measure the usefulness and durability of our equipment.
But what made the Swiss Army Knife the most widely used pocket knife in the world? What makes those red scales and white gasket so special? Today, we're going to dive into Swiss Army knives. We'll go over everything you need to know about this iconic tool to discover how they earned their reputation. We'll start by taking a look at the incredible story of how Victorinox, the original maker of the Swiss Army Knife, created the perfect tool for every task.
The original Swiss Army knife
On June 10, 2022, the original Swiss Army Knife celebrated its 125th anniversary. birthday As part of its anniversary celebrations, Victorinox has launched the limited edition Swiss Army Knife Replica 1897. The 1897 replica, as you might imagine, looks exactly like the knife issued to Swiss soldiers over a century ago. Compare the original SAK to the one you carry in your pocket today, and you'll notice how little it's changed. Just like the modern model. Red Spartan The original SAK featured a long and short blade, a screwdriver, an awl, a can opener, and a corkscrew. How has this legendary tool remained relatively unchanged for over 125 years? How has it remained one of the most popular multi-tools ever made?
The history of the Swiss Army knife naturally begins with the Swiss Army. The Swiss Army has existed in one form or another for at least 1291 and boasts a proud history of defending its mountainous territory. In 1648, Swiss mercenaries played a key role in securing Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire. They also participated in the Napoleonic Wars, which ended in 1815. Since then, Switzerland has adopted a stance of armed neutrality. The government requires every male citizen to serve at least 21 weeks in the military to maintain this neutrality. This is where the story of the Swiss Army Knife begins.
In 1891, the Swiss Technical War Department replaced the Vetterli infantry rifle model 1869/71 with the Schmidt-Rubin model 1889. He needed a screwdriver to regularly maintain the new rifle. He therefore decided to provide each Swiss soldier with one knife multifunctional pocket knife. At the time, no Swiss company could meet the initial demand for 15,000 knives. The government was then forced to turn to a German company.
As Swiss as cheese and chocolate
Karl Elsener, a patriotic Swiss citizen, owned a surgical equipment company and was trying to get into knife manufacturing. Elsener was determined to see Swiss soldiers equipped with Swiss-made knives. He began by securing a government contract to supply the army with a German-designed knife known as the Model 1890.
Competing with German manufacturers was a huge risk. It's worth noting that in the years leading up to World War I, the German Empire was one of the most industrious and wealthy nations in the world. Many German companies were more than capable of producing tens of thousands of knives in a matter of months. Karl Elsener, on the other hand, was limited to what he could find in unindustrialized Switzerland.
Undeterred, Elsener joined forces with 30 other knifemakers from across Switzerland to form the Association of Swiss Master Knifemakers. Using the small workshops and water-powered forges of the Swiss town of Ibach, Elsener and his craftsmen's union were able to produce enough knives to meet the army's needs. But at a price.
Despite his company's determination and tenacity, Karl knew he wouldn't be able to compete with the German steam factories for long. Even if he continued to meet the Swiss army's quotas, he was losing too much money. His company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Something had to change.
Elsener took a closer look at the Model 1890 he had been producing for years and decided to improve it. He wanted to take the bulky, heavy knife and make it smaller. He wanted to make it more elegant and attractive without sacrificing any of the features Swiss soldiers relied on.
After years of research, Karl Elsener developed an ingenious spring mechanism. Thanks to this innovation, he was able to fit six different tools onto a single knife using only two springs. To this day, all Victorinox knives use this two-spring mechanism, invented over 125 years ago by Karl Elsener, and are still manufactured in the same Swiss mountain town of Ibach.
The new Swiss Army Knife was named the "Schweizer Offizeiers und Sportmesser" or "Swiss Officer's and Sports Knife." Elsener's knife became immediately popular with Swiss soldiers and civilians alike, ending his company's financial difficulties virtually overnight.
Authentic Swiss Army Knives vs. Original Swiss Army Knives
In 1908, the Swiss army decided to end its knife manufacturing contract with German manufacturers, much to Karl Elsener's delight. Karl Elsener's primary goal was to equip Swiss soldiers with Swiss-made knives. The Swiss government divided the contract between Elsener's company and Wenger, another Swiss-based knife manufacturer. It is unclear whether the Swiss government divided the contract to avoid regional favoritism or simply hoped that competition would keep its costs lower.
Wenger, German companies, and other knife manufacturers began imitating Elsener's design wherever they could. Elsener feared that the brand he had worked so hard to build was being diluted. It was time to strengthen his brand. In 1921, Elsener renamed his knife company Victorinox , combining his mother's name, Victoria, with "Inox" for stainless steel. In addition to the name change, Elsener invented the iconic white cross and shield design found on all Victorinox products. Eventually, Victorinox adopted the slogan "Maker of the Original Swiss Army Knife." Of course, this prompted Wenger to use "Maker of the Genuine Swiss Army Knife" as his slogan.
The competition between Wenger and Victorinox lasted 97 years, with neither company managing to gain the upper hand. In 2005, Victorinox was finally able to acquire its biggest competitor. In 2013, Victorinox absorbed Wenger's knife brand. The merger made Victorinox not only the original Swiss Army knife, but also the alone authentic Swiss army knife.
What's so special about Swiss Army knives?
Swiss Army knives are so popular because they combine a multitude of useful tools into one set. The new Leatherman ARC It may get all the attention, but it's the new kid on the block. The Swiss Army Knife was the world's first introduction to multi-tools, and for many, it remains the best.
Despite their ingenious design and incredible usefulness, Swiss Army knives, or Officersmesser as they were most commonly called, were actually only known in Switzerland, Germany, and France. It was only after World War II that they became popular everywhere else. American soldiers stationed in France, Germany, and Belgium quickly fell under the spell of these red-scaled multi-tools. Unable (but mostly unwilling) to pronounce Officersmesser , American soldiers began calling them Swiss Army knives, coining the term used worldwide today.
Swiss Army knives were popular among American soldiers for the same reasons they are around the world today. The bright red scales and white joint are attractive and stand out from any other type of pocket knife. Once they had them, it didn't take long for soldiers to discover how useful they were. After all, the SAK was designed to simplify a soldier's life. Routine tasks like opening cans or packages from home, making small repairs, and regular weapon maintenance were far easier to perform with a SAK than with a bulky fixed-blade knife or bayonet.
Americans purchased SAKs en masse before returning home across the Atlantic. With the exchange rate in postwar Europe so favorable to the dollar, most American soldiers could afford several Swiss Army knives and purchased them for themselves, their brothers, fathers, sons, and spouses as souvenirs.
Unsurprisingly, the flood of red-scale knives that flooded into the United States proved just as popular and useful for civilians during peacetime as they were for European soldiers during both World Wars. They quickly became the everyday knife of choice for outdoorsmen, adventurers, and DIY enthusiasts worldwide.
How many tools are available on Swiss Army knives?
It really depends on the model. Some have just a single blade, while others have literally dozens of tools. The good news is that Victorinox makes Swiss Army knives in so many variations that there's bound to be one with the tool set you want.
Victorinox is constantly expanding its product line, offering new models to replace outdated ones. In its quest to create the right tool for every task, Victorinox creatively integrates common tools into pocket knives. They have also added several uncommon tools to their models. Some of the tools you can find on Victorinox Swiss Army knives include a clock, a USB flash drive, a laser pointer, a compass, a magnifying glass, a flashlight, a ballpoint pen, and a golf punch.
Over the years, Victorinox has manufactured at least 800 different tools across more than 350 models. This allows us to confidently say that whatever tools you're looking for, there's a Swiss Army knife for you. Always ready for the adventure you have in mind.
The largest Swiss Army knife
When you hear that Swiss Army knives are the perfect tool for any task, it's natural to wonder how literal that statement is. If these knives are really meant to be the perfect tool for any task, it stands to reason that they should have practically every tool imaginable, right? If you're really looking to carry an entire toolbox in your pocket, we have some suggestions for you.
The world's largest Swiss Army knife is the Wenger Giant. It has 87 tools and 141 functions, requiring 49 layers to hold all the tools Wenger made before Victorinox took over. When closed, it measures a respectable 3.25 inches long. Unfortunately for your pockets, it's also over 9 inches thick and weighs about 3 pounds. If you have room in your backpack and about $5,000 to spare, you can walk around with an entire toolbox. You'll just have to find one for sale first.
If you're looking for a large Swiss Army knife that always fits in your pocket, we recommend the larger Victorinox SAK. Swiss Champ XXL Aptly named, the Swiss Champ XXL is the most versatile knife you'll ever put in your pocket. Equipped with 73 different functions, you'll be hard-pressed to find a multi-tool that can do more while fitting in one hand.
Can you take Swiss Army knives on a plane?
The short answer is no, but maybe yes depending on the tool you want to carry.
In the years leading up to the September 11 terrorist attacks, a significant portion of Victorinox's sales were made at airports. After September 11, security measures and restrictions were tightened, leading to a drop in Swiss Army knife sales. While Victorinox was able to adapt and recover, Wenger was permanently weakened and, as discussed above, was eventually absorbed by Victorinox.
One of the advantages of Swiss Army knives is that they are not aggressive weapons, but rather useful tools. Swiss Army knives are not intended for self-defense, but for practical purposes. Their discreet versatility makes them an indispensable travel companion. Unfortunately, you cannot take Swiss Army knives or any other type of blade on an airplane.
If you travel frequently, you'll appreciate how convenient it would be to have a Swiss Army knife in your bag when navigating busy airports. They'll be even more useful when you're exploring your final destination. Victorinox, ever adaptable, offers a few options to consider.
THE Victorinox Jetsetter comes with seven of the most useful tools you could want for everyday use, but without blades. Instead, it includes a small pair of scissors, a bottle opener, a Phillips screwdriver, wire strippers, a key ring, tweezers, and a toothpick.
The best Swiss Army knife
So what is the best Swiss Army knife? That's a trick question. With hundreds of unique models and tools to choose from, it really depends on what you're doing and where you're trying to go. Victorinox's legendary versatility can be overwhelming. But the wide selection means there's a Swiss Army knife that's perfect for your lifestyle. The best Swiss Army knife will strike a balance between having enough tools to tackle any task while being compact and easy to carry.
We actually have a lot of ideas about the best Swiss army knife.
Are Swiss Army Knives Worth It?
In our opinion, yes. They offer a multitude of utilities in a single, non-threatening package, and they don't cost that much.
Victorinox adapts without radically changing its designs or raising its prices. Over the years, Victorinox has improved the quality of the stainless steel used in its knives as well as the range of tools available. As a result, Swiss Army knives have proven themselves in the harshest environments known to man. Decades of consistency and proven durability have made Swiss Army knives trusted tools around the world. Useful everywhere from space shuttles to keychains, most of their models cost between $15 and $60.
Unparalleled versatility and accessibility are what make SAK knives so special. The simple ability to solve a problem anytime, anywhere is invaluable. The feeling of being prepared is powerful, and Victorinox has been helping people stay prepared and solve problems for 125 years. The ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently makes us more independent. Knowing you have the tools to solve any problem at any time can make you feel like MacGyver, who happened to use a Swiss Army knife in most of his TV adventures. In case you were wondering, his favorite model was the Victorinox Tinker , which has appeared in more than 20 episodes .
You can do anything you want if you want to
The great thing about Swiss Army knives is that they're for everyone. People are natural problem solvers. As a species, we tend to be resourceful and flexible, adapting to changing situations and excelling at finding creative solutions to the challenges we face. A Swiss Army knife reinforces the combative MacGyver in all of us.
In September 2022, the word MacGyver was officially added to Merriam-Webster's dictionary as a verb. The new verb means "to make, form, or repair (something) with what is at hand." The new English verb is more than just a pop culture Easter egg; it's a mindset. A mindset that reflects Victorinox's history, as well as the attitude of its customers. This mindset includes the belief that seemingly bad situations can be turned around if you are prepared and remain calm and collected. The Swiss Army attitude is about listening to your intuition and remaining optimistic in stressful situations. This optimism is made possible by the confidence that comes from knowing you have what it takes to succeed.
For over 125 years, Victorinox Swiss Army Knives have helped us build, assemble, and discover things—from our backyards to the backcountry. Swiss Army Knives are an essential tool for unleashing your creativity and solving problems your way. Whether you're looking to be more self-sufficient or trying to free your crew from a malfunctioning door in space, your Swiss army knife has the tools you need.
