The Amazing Versatility Of The Famous Swiss Army Knife

Karl Elsener, who owned a surgical instrument company, became dismayed in 1891 when he discovered that the small utility knives that the Swiss government were issuing their soldiers were actually made in Germany. Elsener’s national pride drove him to finding a way to have the knives manufactured in Switzerland. He took on the production of the first Modell 1890 knives near the end of 1891. After applying a number of modifications, the versatility of a Swiss army knife became apparent to the world at large.

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.

Recognized throughout the world with their red handles, white crosses, a few blades and several fold-out tools, the Swiss army knife is used by campers, fishermen, hunters, and in fact by anyone who requires a certain set of tools for a multitude of jobs. A vast array of designs is available for almost any activity, from the smaller models having only one blade, a combination can-opener bottle opener, a reamer and a screwdriver to the Giant, which is nine inches wide and boasts 87 different tools and can perform 141 different functions. Some people actually prefer the classic looks of the black Swiss army knife

Victorinox, together with Wenger, a subsidiary, are the manufacturers and they produce the very popular Classic Knife which measures only three inches but has amazing strength and little bulk. Equipped with a keyring for attaching to a key chain, the knife can be carried about conveniently. This small model has a number of useful tools such as a toothpick, knife blades, scissors, nail file, various screwdrivers, tweezers and many more tools which may not be used but are available if needed at any time.

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.