![]() ![]() Left to right: Victorinox’s Swiss Champ displaying its dizzying array of tools. At this time, Elsener also registered the emblem of a Swiss Cross on a shield, as a trademark. Though the Swiss Army didn’t contract to acquire the 1897 model, Elsener’s design was so well made, that soldiers simply bought the knives themselves.Įlsener’s mother, Victoria, had been supportive of her son’s aspirations, and when she died in 1909, he adopted the brand name ‘Victoria’ for his knives. The new knife had six tools, but was also lighter than the previous model.Įlsener registered his creation, the Officer’s and Sports Knife, on 12 June 1897. The initial batch was manufactured by Wester & Co in Solingen, Germany, but Elsener persevered in labouring to build Swiss production power to rival Germany’s.Įlsener improved the Model 1890 and developed a two-spring design which allowed the fitting of tools to both sides of the knife. Elsener exceeded the military’s expectations, and in 1891 he began provisioning the army with the knife, known as the Model 1890. The scales (handles) were made of oak (subsequently changed to a fibre material). Within a year, Elsener presented the prototype of the Schweizer Offiziersmesser (Swiss Officer’s Knife).īesides a blade and screwdriver, this experimental model had a can-opener and a reamer. Elsener consulted with the military in 1890 about designing a rugged, compact implement which would fulfil several functions required by soldiers in the field. Karl Elsener founded a cutlery workshop in Ibach in 1884 and began producing goods for local consumption. ![]() Swiss Army Knives have played roles in a seemingly endless variety of adventures, from rescues and other emergencies to repairing broken-down vehicles in remote tracts of desert or tundra. TEXT: ERIC BRIAN | PHOTO © PHOTOPRESS VICTORINOX ‘The Little Red Knife’, of which there are hundreds of designs and millions made and in use, has been on epic journeys to the North Pole, the Amazon, the top of Mount Everest and even into space. The Swiss Army Knife, that pocket-toolbox, is a global icon, representative of Swiss ingenuity, design and craftsmanship. ![]()
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