Victorinox Swiss Army

The Victorinox brand was founded by a Swiss named Karl Elsener in 1884 whom created the first Swiss knife. They started their business in 1891 by only industrialized Officer Knives for the Swiss Army. So these knives were widely used during the wars. Another factor that added up the popularity of this brand was the rising number of travelers who bought the knives in which the non-Swiss consumers took notice and soon dubbed as Swiss Army Knife.

Consequently it was known all over the world as the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Company in 1921. So how the ‘VICTORINOX’ brand name did came up? The name Victorinox was a combination of his mother’s name, Victoria and the word ‘INOX’ for stainless steel. Now, Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Company is one of the largest knife companies in the whole wide world. It began when Karl Elsener, the fourth son of a Swiss hatmaker, Balthasar Elsener-Ott could not find a job himself. Jobs were inadequate in his hometown of Ibach near Schwyz in Switzerland. Many of his friends decided to emigrate to North America, Australia or New Zealand. But not Elsener, whom intended to stay whatever may come.

During the hard times, the Swiss army was purchasing soldiers’ knives from a German company. This gave him an idea. Elsener thought he could produce them better and cheaper. So Elsener built his first knife in late 1891. A weighty multipurpose tool called the Soldier’s Knife. But it was no ordinary pocketknife. Along with a blade, the tool had an awl, can opener and a screwdriver. Six years later, Elsener created a smaller and lighter multipurpose tool that was called the Officer’s Knife, which had the features of the previous tool along with a second blade and a corkscrew. The new knife was an instant hit, with orders pouring in from the United States and around the world.

Today, the Officer’s Knife – which is better known as the Swiss Army Knife has come in more than 100 different combinations. The most popular model has 33 features, including a wood saw, pliers, tweezers and a fish scalier. Currently, Swiss Army Brand is the exclusive marketer for U.S., Canada and Caribbean of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives, multitools and SwissCards.

The corporation also has its own Swiss Army Brands watches, sunglasses and writing instruments. For your information, Victorinox is the majority shareholder of Swiss Army Brands in which these two companies have a mutual business relationship back in 1937.