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With its renowned durability, large assortment of attachments and quality made components; the Swiss Army knife is the world’s highest quality pocket knife. Before its introduction, the Swiss Army was issued with a Common pocket knife named the ‘Soldier’s knife’. Victorinox and Wenger have supplied the Swiss Army with the well-known brand of knife since 1897. The Swiss Army is still supplied with 50,000 of these knives each year. As well as the Swiss armed forces using the Swiss Army knife, it achieved massive popularity amongst adventurers, hikers, campers and even as a basic staple of many traditional households.

The founder of Victorinox, Karl Elsener, was the first person to design and manufacture the Swiss Army knife. After realising the Swiss Army were using knives manufactured in Germany, he decided to create his own knife to ensure locally produced products were supplied to armed forces. In addition to Victorinox making the knives for the Swiss Army, another Swiss company named Wenger was also allowed to make these knives. These two companies still own the trademarked term ‘Swiss Army knife’ and make the knives for the public and Swiss Army today. The name ‘Swiss Army knife’ was actually first utilized by US soldiers in World War II, as they couldn’t say its Swiss name.

The Swiss Army knife is made in a variety of models, sizes and colours. Common tools found on most of the knives include 2 blades, toothpick, tweezers, cork-screw, bottle open, pair of scissors and nail file. Some more advanced models also have both a Phillips-head and flat-head screwdriver, Biro, can opener, saw, magnifying glass, wrench, scaler and pair of pliers. The most modern models, termed ‘Victorinox Cybertools’ feature a digital clock, music player, optical laser pointer, altimeter, hex screwdriver and even a USB flash drive. The knives come in a number of sizes, with the popular model being about 9cm long and the smaller models approximately 6cm long. ‘The Giant’, made by Wenger, was the longest ever produced. It was upwards of 22cm long and featured 85 different tools.

One of the best features of the Swiss Army knife, and the key reason for its durability, is that it makes multiple use of each spring. One knife that features up to six blades can use as little as two springs. The blades are measured on the Rockwell C scale as being a level of 56 for hardness. The big blade is held within the knife with a force of 12kg, and the smaller blade is pressed into place with an 8kg of force, which ensures the knives can be used for a number of rugged applications.

For more info: Swiss Army Knives