Victorinox Takes Over Wenger With Swiss Army Knives

For all those MacGyver fans out there Switzerland is not just all about chocolate and amazing scenery. Rather there is another great creation to have risen from the land of the snow capped Alps which makes them its fan and that is the concept of Swiss army knives.

Swiss army knives are personalized totally and they are absolutely terrific. They have amazing features. The whole tool box can be fitted into a small packet resembling like a large key chain and remain entirely practical.

The Year 1884 brought in a new dawn with the opening of the Victorinox factory. Its owner Mr. Karl Elsner served his apprenticeship in Germany and Paris, after which he started his own cutlery shop. In his factory he made use of the polishing and grinding machine which could be used with the aid of a waterwheel.

The Swiss army knife that we now so comfortably carry in our pockets was first made for the army back in 1891. It was in this year that Karl introduced his invention to the Swiss army who went ahead and patented two of Karls creations, the Sports knife and the Swiss Officers knife.

In the initial years it was Karls company alone that was contracted to supply the Swiss Army with these knives. In time the contract was then being distributed between Victorinox and Wenger. Following an agreement between the two companies Victorinox was given the complete rights to advertise the old school original Swiss Army Knife.

The emblem featuring the cross and the shield was acquired by Karl in 1909. To this date the symbol is a sign of the quality knives produced by Vitorinox. The company actually gets its name from Karl Elsners mother who was named Victoria.

After her demise Karl decided to name the company using his mothers name and adding the French term for stainless steel inox to it. Hence came into being the Victorinox Swiss Army knife.

During the 2nd world war, the Swiss Officers Knife was being openly sold to the Americans. Then the term Officers Knife was altered to Swiss Army Knife due to the increasing sales of the product.

Victorinox was so successful that it took over Wenger after a period of time. These days their creations are being used by astronauts, mountaineers and ocean explorers. They have even come up with ideas of many different products like professional knives, household knives, watches, clothing, luggage which has only added up to their popularity.