History of the Swiss Army Knife
A Swiss Army knife is arguably the most famous pocket knife in the world. In France it is known as Couteau suisse, Germany as Schweizer Offiziersmesser and in Italy: Coltellino svizzero. The Swiss army knife is commonly described as a type of multi-function pocket knife or multi-tool. It originated in 1897 in Ibach Schwyz, Switzerland. The term "Swiss Army knife" is a registered trademark owned by Victorinox A.G. and Wenger S.A. both suppliers of knives to the Swiss Armed Forces. Generally speaking, a Swiss Army knife consists of a blade as well as various tools, such as screwdrivers, can and bottle openers. These various attachments and tools are cleverly stowed inside the handle of the knife through a sprung pivot point mechanism. The handle is usually red in colour and manufactured from either plastic or metal and features either a Victorinox or Wenger "cross" logo for commercial retail or for military issue knives the coat of arms of Switzerland.
The term "Swiss Army knife" was coined by US soldiers after World War II, presumably because they had trouble pronouncing its original name, "Offiziersmesser". The term "Swiss Army knife" is also used metaphorically to describe usefulness.
The "Swiss Army knife" has been added to the collections of various museums in recognition of its achievement as an globally iconic design.
Swiss Army Knife Tools - The Original Multi Tool
A large range of models of Swiss Army knives now exist exist with different tool combinations for specific tasks designed for everyday use. The simplest models sold include only a single blade. In addition to the main blade the most common tools featured are, a smaller second blade, tweezers, toothpick, corkscrew, can opener, bottle opener, slotted/flat-head screwdriver(s), phillips-head screwdriver, nail file, scissors, wood saw, file, hook (parcel carrier, tightening aid for shoelaces, etc.), magnifying glass, ballpoint pen, fish de-scaler, hex wrench w/bits, pliers, and keyring. Recent technological features include USB flash drives, digital clock, digital altimeter, LED light, laser pointer, and MP3 player.
The Victorinox Cybertools range has been designed for the workplace of the 21st century feature many tools for use with computers and other electronic equipment. In addition to the usual tools, including pliers and scissors, they have a 4 mm hex screwdriver bit holder and bit case with 4 double-ended bits.
In January 2010 Victorinox presented the Presentation Master Model line to be released in April 2010. The technologically most advanced model includes a red laser pointer, a 32 GB detachable flash drive and Bluetooth connectivity. One of the Presentation Master models will be the bladeless Presentation Master Flight Model. Besides being lightweight, protected and portable, this bladeless Presentation Master version is permitted to be carried on airplanes. For added convenience, the flash drive component is removable, offering travellers the option to carry their data while storing their pocket tool in their checked baggage.
Wenger has manufactured a USD 1,400 Swiss army knife that includes every implement the company has ever made.
Both Victorinox and Wenger have produced some very unique Swiss Army Knife Models, some might argue that they are not all that practical but they are very interesting as a bit of fun or a technical work of art.
Swiss Army Knife Logo's, Symbols & Makers Marks
The majority of Swiss Army knives feature a locking mechanism for one or two tools. The locking systems are designed to make accidental closure during use of an extended tool unlikely. Several Wenger and Victorinox models feature a locking cutting blade that is operated with an unlocking-button integrated in the scales. Furthermore several models from the Victorinox 111 mm series feature a double liner lock that secures the cutting blade and bottle opener.
Tool Locking Mechanisms
The majority of Swiss Army knives feature a locking mechanism for one or two tools. The locking systems are designed to make accidental closure during use of an extended tool unlikely. Several Wenger and Victorinox models feature a locking cutting blade that is operated with an unlocking-button integrated in the scales. Furthermore several models from the Victorinox 111 mm series feature a double liner lock that secures the cutting blade and bottle opener.
Swiss Army Knife Blade Steel
The cutting blades of Swiss Army Knives are a martensitic stainless steel alloy optimized for high toughness and corrosion resistance. The composition of this alloy consists of 15% chromium, 0.60% silicon, 0.52% carbon, 0.50% molybdenum, and 0.45% manganese and is designated X55CrMo14 or 1.4110 according to Victorinox. After a hardening process at 1040 °C and annealing at 160 °C the blades achieve an average blade steel hardness of 55-56 HRC. This steel hardness is suitable for practical use and easy re-sharpening, but less than achieved in stainless steel alloys used for blades optimized for high wear resistance. According to Victorinox the martensitic stainless steel alloy used for the parts is X39Cr13 or 1.4031 and for the springs X20Cr13 or 1.4021. The steel used for the wood saws, scissors and nail files has a steel hardness of HRC 53, the screwdrivers, tin openers and awls have a hardness of RC 52, and the corkscrew and springs have a hardness of HRC 49. The metal saws and files, in addition to the special case hardening, are also subjected to a hard chromium plating process so that iron and steel can also be filed and cut.
Assembly Rivets
Brass rivets are employed to hold all the machined steel parts and other tools, separators and the scales together.
Swiss Army Knife Blade and Tool Separators
Separators are employed between the tools of the knife and from 1951 have been manufactured from an aluminium alloy. This helps make the knives lighter. Before 1951 the separators were made from sheet nickel-silver.
Scales
Various sized and scaled models produced by Wenger. Although red cellidor scaled Swiss Army Knives are most common, there are many colours and scales now available. Many textures, colours and shapes now appear in the Swiss Army Knife. Since 2006 the scales on some knife models can have textured non-slip inlays incorporated, intended for sufficient grip with moist or wet hands.
The Swiss Army Knife Modding Community
A modification community (or modding community) has also developed over the years, resulting in custom models produced with colourful anodized patterns or wood handles.
Swiss Army Knife Collector Community
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Swiss Army Knife Sizes
The standard Victorinox Swiss Army knife is approximately 91 mm (3.6 in) long and 20 mm (0.8 in) wide. Their smaller models are typically about 58 mm (2.3 in) long and 15 mm (0.6 in) wide. The Victorinox Pocket-Multi-Tools with locking are typically about 111 mm (4.4 in) long and 30 mm (1.2 in) wide. Wenger Swiss Army knives typically use 65 mm (2.6 in), 85 mm (3.3 in) and 120 mm (4.7 in) length steps. Thickness varies depending on the model of knife and also the number of tool layers included.
Swiss Army Knife Assembly Process
During assembly of a Swiss Army Knife, all components are mounted on several brass rivets. The first components are generally an aluminium separator and a flat steel spring. Once a layer of tools is installed, another separator and spring are placed for the next layer of tools effectively creating a ‘sandwich’ of tools. This process is repeated according to the model being built until all the desired tool layers and the finishing separator are installed. Once the knife is built, the metal parts are fastened by adding brass flanged bushings to the rivets. The length of the rivets is then cut to length to make them flush with the bushings. Finally the remaining length of the rivets is flattened into the flanged bushings. After the assembly of the metal parts, the blades are sharpened to a 15º angle, resulting in a 30º V-shaped steel cutting edge. The blades are then checked with a laser reflecting goniometer to verify the angle of the cutting edges. Finally the scales are pressed onto the flanged bushings. The scales are being held in place by holes incorporated in the insides of the scales that result in a tight shape connection with the flanged bushings.
Swiss Army Knife History & Origins
In 1891, Karl Elsener, then owner of a company that made surgical equipment, discovered to his dismay that the Modell 1890 pocket knives supplied to the Swiss army were in fact made in Solingen (Germany). In that age of nationalism, Elsener set out to manufacture the knives in Switzerland itself. At the end of 1891 Elsener took over production of the Modell 1890 knives, but Elsener was not satisfied with its first incarnation. A redesign was called for and in 1896, after five years of hard work, Elsener managed to come up with a design that put the blades on both sides of the handle using a special spring mechanism, this design allowing him to use the same spring to hold them in place, a design innovation at the time. This unique mechanism allowed Elsener to put twice as many features on the knife; and went on to add not only a second cutting blade but also the famous corkscrew.
These new knives for the Swiss Military required a new sense of idenity to match the national pride so Karl Elsener used the cross and shield to identify his knives, the symbol still used today on Victorinox-branded products and Swiss Army Knife versions. Karl’s mother died in 1909 and Elsener decided to name his company "Victoria" in her memory. In 1921 the company advanced the knife’s design and started using stainless steel to make the blades and tools. Stainless steel is also known as "inox", short for the French term acier inoxydable. "Victoria" and "inox" were then combined to create the company name "Victorinox". Victorinox's headquarters and amazing show room are located in the Swiss town of Ibach.
According to Carl Elsener, head of Victorinox in 2009, U.S. soldiers bought Swiss Army knives in huge numbers at PX stores on military bases. As "Schweizer Offiziersmesser" (Swiss Officers Knife) was too difficult for them to say, they called it the "Swiss army knife", and that is the name it is now known by all over the world.
Victorinox 'The Original Swiss Army Knife' and Wenger 'The Genuine Swiss Army Knife'.
Elsener, through his company Victorinox, managed to corner the market until 1893, when the second industrial cutler of Switzerland, Paul Boéchat & Cie, headquartered in Delémont in the French-speaking region of Jura, started selling a very similar product. This company was later acquired by its then General Manager, Theodore Wenger, and renamed the Wenger Company. In 1908 the Swiss government, wanting to prevent an issue over regional favouritism, but perhaps wanting a bit of competition in hopes of lowering prices, split the contract with Victorinox and Wenger, each getting half of the orders placed. By mutual agreement, Wenger advertises as the Genuine Swiss Army Knife and Victorinox uses the slogan the Original Swiss Army Knife.
On April 26, 2005 Victorinox acquired Wenger, becoming once again the sole supplier of knives to the Swiss Army. Victorinox has stated that it intends to keep both consumer brands intact.
Swiss Army Knives with the Most Tools
In 2006 Wenger produced a knife called "The Giant" with 87 tools and 141 different functions that retailed for about GBP £550, and is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most multifunctional penknife. In the same year Victorinox released SwissChamp XAVT which includes 80 functions, with retail price of USD 425.
Swiss Army Knife Guinness World Record
The Guinness Book of Records recognizes a one-off 314-blade Swiss Army-style knife made in 1991 by Master Cutler Hans Meister as the world's largest penknife, weighing 11 pounds.
