Most popular pocket knives (Swiss Army Knife) in the world
(Also famous to tinkers, hikers, soldiers,and chefs)
1,800 years ago, as a basic living tool, Swiss Army style knives already existed in Roman.
Folding knives such as the modern one shown above were sold in the 19th century as “bowie knives.” They had to be carried in a sheath, as the blade extended beyond the handle when folded.
The first Swiss Army knives were reproductions of pocket knives mass-produced in Soligen, Germany. A blade, punch, can opener, and screwdriver folded into the knife’s handle.
Karl Elsener began making them for the Swiss Army in 1891, after organizing the Swiss Cutlery Guild of 37 craftsmen in order to ease the district’s severe employment deficit, which was forcing its agricultural labor base to seek greener pastures in foreign lands.
However, a small change made Karl Elsener’s design jump out from other contractors’. A small, sharp “erasing” blade was useful for scraping off mistakes in paperwork handwritten by pen. A corkscrew helped enhance the officers’ dining and socializing. The six blades required only two springs. The “Offiziersmesser,” the official knife of the Swiss Army, was registered for trademark protection on June 12, 1897.
Victorinox (changed name in honor of Karl Elsenser’s mother who died 1909) maintained an enduring relationship with pilots, who had a natural affinity for compact, lightweight devices. One aviator even reported using his Swiss Army knife to free himself from burning wreckage. The knives would later be carried aboard the space shuttle.
*The knives that appendages often served more than one function. For example, in 1951 Victorinox received a patent for its new can opener, which was said to work easily and not leave ragged edges. The end of the can opener had been fashioned into a small screwdriver blade.
“Champion” has been displayed at MOMA with 24/30 functions.
Victorinox manufactures 34,000 pocketknives per day. In the 1990s, it retailed for about $90; the six-blade Classic sold for $18.
