Knives, Swords & Blades

A Swiss Army Knife Is Known For Its Versatility

The Swiss army knife has its origins as far back as 1891 when Karl Elsener, who was the owner of a company making surgical implements discovered to his dismay that the pocket knives that were issued to the Swiss army were, in fact, made in Germany. Elsener decided that these knives should be made in Switzerland by the Swiss. He obtained the contract and started producing the current Modell 1890 knives towards the close of 1891. It was not too long before people discovered the versatility of a Swiss army knife.

The year that any particular model of knife had been introduced onto the market can be determined from the Modell (the German Spelling) number. The first knife, Modell 1890, had been given to Swiss soldiers so that they could open cans and disassemble and assemble their army issue rifles. This particular knife consisted of a knife blade, screwdriver, can-opener and a reamer. Its grips were made from dark oak which was later replaced by ebony.

Us army personnel after World War II had the opportunity to buy these knives from PX stores on their army bases, but as they had difficulty saying Schweizer Offiziersmesser, which was the official name of the knife at the time, they began to call them Swiss Army Knives and this is what they became known as world wide. This name was registered by Victorinox and its subsidiaries, who produce the knives, as a trademark, in subsequent years.

Easily recognizable by its red handle grips with a white cross at one end and consisting of one or two blades and a number of useful tools that may be folded out, a Swiss Army Knife has been the tool of choice of hunters, fishermen, campers and anyone else needing a convenient, portable set of tools that can perform a large variety of tasks. There are many designs on the market that will suit almost any job. Indeed, regardless of what immediately springs to mind, some folks like the black Swiss army knife. These range from the lightweight models containing a knife blade, bottle and can-opener combinations, a screwdriver and a reamer, to the massive Giant, all of nine inches broad and with 87 separate tools able to accomplish 141 functions.

The knives are produced by Victorinox and its subsidiary, Wenger, and one of their most popular knives is the Classic Knife measuring just three inches long and offering great strength without the bulk. This knife sports a keyring, enabling it to be carried on a key chain for convenience. Among the range of tools available on this small wonder, are small blades, a toothpick, tweezers, nail files, scissors, various screwdriver heads and a host of other tools that may never be needed but that are there if they are needed.

The knives have been propelled into the twenty first century by the introduction of the Presentation Master, a futuristic design which features a laser pointer, memory stick and fingerprint scanner that has built in data encryption. All the features of the knife including the laser pointer and data storage drives may be folded away or can be pulled inside the knife on springs while not being used. Because it has no blades, this device may be carried onto aircraft.

The Champion Plus is favored by outdoor lovers and survivalists and it contains things like a serrated small saw, hook remover, fish scaler, punch tool, reamer and plenty more. A waterproof or black leather pouch suitable for carrying on a belt, may be purchased which is convenient for carrying the tool around. Of course there are many models available if you decide to buy a Swiss army knife.

A whetstone or steel may be used to sharpen the knives. Victorinox does recommend using the steel though, and actually supplies a knife blade sharpener for this very purpose. Not many people will deny the versatility of a Swiss army knife.