Victorinox was founded in 1884 by Karl Elsner. That year he opened his own cutlery company in Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland. Before opening his company, Karl had spent time in Paris and Tuttlingen, Germany, where he was doing an internship. In Karl’s k, the grinders and polishers were powered by a water wheel powered by the Tobelbach stream.

Victorinox Spartan Red Swiss Army Knife

In 1891, the Swiss army first received the soldier’s knife from Karl Elsner, and on June 12, 1897, the Swiss officer and sports knives were patented. Karl’s company was originally the sole 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 promote the real Swiss army knife.

Karl Elsner began using the cross and shield to identify his knives in 1909. The cross and security are still used to determine a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. That 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 acid-inoxidable). “Victoria” and “inox” were combined to create the Victorinox company name.

OnePlus x Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

After World War II, American PX stores began selling the “Swiss Officer’s Knife” in large quantities to American soldiers. The soldiers briefly called it the Swiss Army Knife, and the name stuck.

In 2002, Victorinox took over Wenger’s other Swiss army knife maker. Victorinox has said they plan to keep both brands of Swiss Army Knives intact. The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife is standard equipment for NASA astronauts, and the Swiss Army Knife has been taken on trips to Mount Everest and Antarctica. Currently, Victorinox has five product lines. In addition to their Swiss army knife line, they have Household & Professional knives, Watches, Clothing, and Luggage.

As you can see, the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife has a long history and is relied on by many people under the toughest conditions. As a company, Victorinox has a long history of quality, which is still reflected in its products today.