The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

Victorinox was founded by Karl Elsner in 1884. That year he opened his own cutlery business in Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland. Before opening his business Karl had spent time in Paris and in Tuttlingen, Germany doing his apprenticeship. At Karl's cutlery shop the grinding and polishing machines were powered by a waterwheel which was powered by the Tobelbach brook.

In 1891 the Swiss Army first received the soldier's knife from Karl Elsner and on June 12, 1897 the Swiss Officer's and the Sports knives were patented. Karl's company was originally the only supplier of Swiss Army Knives to the Swiss Army. In 1908 his company had to share the supply contract with Wenger. The companies eventually reached an agreement that allowed Victorinox to advertise the Original Swiss Army Knife. Wenger was allowed to advertise the Genuine Swiss Army Knife.

Karl Elsner started using the cross and shield to identify his knives in 1909. The cross and shield is still used to identify a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife to this date. This same year his mother died and he decided to name his company “Victoria” after his mother. In 1921 stainless steel was invented and the company started using stainless steel to make the Swiss Army Knife. Stainless steel was also called “inox” (the French term for stainless steel is acier inoxydable). “Victoria” and “inox” were combined to create the company name Victorinox.

After world war II American PX shops started selling the “Swiss Officer's Knife” in large quantities to American soldiers. The soldiers started calling it the Swiss Army Knife for short and the name has stuck.  In 2002 Victorinox took over the other Swiss Army Knife maker, Wenger. Victorinox has said they intend to keep both brands of Swiss Army Knives intact. The Swiss Army Knife by Victorinox is a standard piece of equipment for NASA Astronauts and the Swiss Army Knife has been taken on treks to Mt. Everest and the Antarctic. Currently Victorinox has five lines of products. In addition to their Swiss Army Knife line they have Household & Professional knives, Watches, Clothing and Luggage.

As you can see the Swiss Army Knife by Victorinox has a long history and is counted on by people in the most adverse of conditions.