Swiss Army knife The Swiss Army knife ( , : " Swiss officer ' s knife " , Swiss - German : " Sackmesser " , ) is a brand of pocket knife or multi - tool manufactured by Victorinox AG and Wenger SA . The term " Swiss Army knife " was coined by US soldiers after World War II due to the difficulty they had in pronouncing the German name . The Swiss Army knife generally has a sharp blade , as well as various tools , such as screwdriver s , a can opener , and many others . These attachments are stowed inside the handle of the knife through a pivot point mechanism . The handle is usually red , and features a Victorinox or Wenger " cross " logo or , for Swiss military issue knives , the coat of arms of Switzerland . Originating in Ibach , Switzerland , the Swiss Army knife was first produced in 1891 after the company Karl Elsener , which later became Victorinox , won the contract to produce the Swiss Army ' s " Modell 1890 " knife from the previous German manufacturer . In 1893 the Swiss cutlery company Paul Boéchat & Cie , which later became Wenger , received its first contract from the Swiss military to produce model 1890 knives ; the two companies split the contract for provision of the knives from 1908 until Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005 . The design of the knife and its versatility have both led to worldwide recognition . History . Origins . During the late 1880s , the Swiss Army decided to purchase a new folding pocket knife for their soldiers . This knife was to be suitable for use by the army in opening canned food and disassembling the Swiss service rifle , the Schmidt - Rubin M1889 , which required a screwdriver for assembly . In January 1891 , the knife received the official designation " Modell 1890 " . The knife had a blade , reamer , can - opener , screwdriver , and grips made out of dark oak wood that was later partly replaced with ebony wood . At that time no Swiss company had the necessary production capacity , so the initial order for 15 , 000 knives was placed with the German knife manufacturer Wester & Co . from Solingen , Germany . These knives were delivered in October 1891 . In 1891 , Karl Elsener , then owner of a company that made surgical equipment , set out to manufacture the knives in Switzerland itself . At the end of 1891 Elsener took over production of the " Modell 1890 " knives , but Elsener was not satisfied with its first incarnation . In 1896 , Elsener succeeded in attaching tools on both sides of the handle using a special spring mechanism : this allowed him to use the same spring to hold them in place , an innovation at the time . This allowed Elsener to put twice as many features on the knife . On 12 June 1897 this knife featuring a second smaller cutting blade , corkscrew , and wood fiber grips was originally registered with the patent office as The Officer ' s and Sports Knife , though it was never part of a military contract . Karl Elsener used the cross and shield to identify his knives , the symbol still used today on Victorinox - branded versions . When his mother died in 1909 , Elsener decided to name his company " Victoria " in her memory . In 1921 the company started using stainless steel to make the Swiss Army Knife . Stainless steel is also known as " inox " , short for the French term " acier inoxydable " . " Victoria " and " inox " were then combined to create the company name " Victorinox " . Victorinox ' s headquarters and show room are located in the Swiss town of Ibach . Victorinox and Wenger . Elsener , through his company Victorinox , managed to control the market until 1893 , when the second industrial cutler of Switzerland , " Paul Boéchat & Cie " , headquartered in Delémont in the French - speaking region of Jura , started selling a similar product . This company was later acquired by its then General Manager , Theodore Wenger , and renamed the Wenger Company . In 1908 the Swiss government , wanting to prevent an issue over regional favouritism , but perhaps wanting a bit of competition in hopes of lowering prices , split the contract with Victorinox and Wenger , each getting half of the orders placed . By mutual agreement , Wenger has advertised as the " Genuine Swiss Army Knife " and Victorinox used the slogan , the " Original Swiss Army Knife " . On April 26 , 2005 Victorinox acquired Wenger , becoming once again the sole supplier of knives to the Swiss Armed Forces . Victorinox had kept both consumer brands intact , but on January 30 , 2013 , Wenger and Victorinox announced that the separate knife brands were going to be merged into one brand : Victorinox . Wenger ' s watch and licensing business will continue as a separate brand . After World War II . According to Carl Elsener , head of Victorinox in 2009 , US soldiers bought Swiss Army knives in huge numbers at PX stores on military bases following the conclusion of the Second World War . As was too difficult for them to say , they called it the " Swiss Army knife " , the name by which the knife is now most commonly known worldwide . Swiss military knife contract . In 2007 , the Swiss Government made a request for new updated soldier knives for the Swiss military for distribution in late 2008 . The evaluation phase of the new soldier knife began in February 2008 , when Armasuisse issued an invitation to tender . A total of seven suppliers from Switzerland and other countries were invited to participate in the evaluation process . Functional models submitted by suppliers underwent practical testing by military personnel in July 2008 , while laboratory tests were used to assess compliance with technical requirements . A cost - benefit analysis was conducted and the model with the best price / performance ratio was awarded the contract . The order for 75 , 000 soldier knives plus cases was worth . This equates to a purchase price of , , in October 2009 per knife plus case . Victorinox won the contest with a knife based on the One - Hand Germany Army Knife as issued by the German " Bundeswehr " and released in the civilian model lineup with the addition of a toothpick and tweezers stored in the nylon grip scales ( side cover plates ) as the One - Hand Trekker / Trailmaster model . Mass production of the new " Soldatenmesser 08 " ( Soldier Knife 08 ) for the Swiss Armed Forces was started in December 2008 . Features . Tools . Various models of Swiss Army knives exist , with different tool combinations for specific tasks designed for everyday carry . The simplest model sold includes only a single blade . The most common tools featured are , in addition to the main blade , a smaller second blade , tweezers , toothpick , corkscrew , can opener , bottle opener , slotted / flat - head screwdriver ( s ) , phillips - head screwdriver , nail file , scissors , saw ( regular , wood ) , file , reamer , hook ( parcel carrier , tightening aid for shoelaces , etc . ) , magnifying glass , ballpoint pen , fish scaler , hex wrench ( with drive bits ) , pliers , gimlet , compass , ruler and keyring . Recent technological features include USB flash drive s , digital clock , digital altimeter , LED light , laser pointer , and MP3 player . The Victorinox Cybertools series includes features for use with computers and electronic equipment . In addition to the usual tools , including pliers and scissors , they have a 4 mm hex screwdriver bit holder and bit case with 4 double - ended bits ( 8 ends ) . In January 2010 Victorinox announced the Presentation Master model line to be released in April 2010 . The technologically most advanced model includes a laser pointer , a 32 GB detachable flash drive and Bluetooth . One of the Presentation Master models will be the bladeless Presentation Master Flight model . Besides being lightweight , protected and portable , this bladeless Presentation Master version is permitted to be carried on airplanes . For added convenience , the flash drive component is removable , offering travelers the option to carry their data while storing their pocket tool in their checked baggage . Since 2006 Wenger has produced a knife called " The Giant " that includes every implement the company has ever made . With 87 tools and 141 different functions it is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world ' s most multifunctional penknife . It retails for about EUR 798 or USD 1 , 000 , though some vendors demand much higher prices . In the same year Victorinox released SwissChamp XAVT which includes 80 functions , with retail price of USD 425 . The Guinness Book of Records recognizes a unique 314 - blade Swiss Army - style knife made in 1991 by Master Cutler Hans Meister as the world ' s largest penknife , weighing 11 pounds . Locking mechanisms . Some Swiss Army knives feature a locking mechanism for one or two tools . The employed locking systems make an accidental closure during use of an extended tool unlikely . Several Wenger and Victorinox models feature a locking cutting blade secured by a slide lock that is operated with an unlocking - button integrated in the scales . Furthermore several models from the Victorinox 111 mm series feature a more robust double liner lock that secures the cutting blade and bottle opener . Design and materials . Rivets and flanged bushings made from brass hold all machined steel parts and other tools , separators and the scales together . The rivets are made by cutting and pointing appropriately sized bars of solid brass . The separators between the tools have been made from aluminium alloy since 1951 . This makes the knives lighter . Previously these separating layers were made of nickel - silver . The martensitic stainless steel alloy used for the cutting blades is optimized for high toughness and corrosion resistance and has a composition of 15 % chromium , 0 . 60 % silicon , 0 . 52 % carbon , 0 . 50 % molybdenum , and 0 . 45 % manganese and is designated X55CrMo14 or DIN 1 . 4110 according to Victorinox . After a hardening process at 1040 °C and annealing at 160 °C the blades achieve an average blade steel hardness of 56 HRC . This steel hardness is suitable for practical use and easy resharpening , but less than achieved in stainless steel alloys used for blades optimized for high wear resistance . According to Victorinox the martensitic stainless steel alloy used for the parts is X39Cr13 or DIN 1 . 4031 and for the springs X20Cr13 or DIN 1 . 4021 . The steel used for the wood saws , scissors and nail files has a steel hardness of HRC 53 , the screwdrivers , tin openers and awls have a hardness of HRC 52 , and the corkscrew and springs have a hardness of HRC 49 . The metal saws and files , in addition to the special case hardening , are also subjected to a hard chromium plating process so that iron and steel can also be filed and cut . Although red Cellulose Acetate Butyrate ( CAB ) ( generally known trade names are Cellidor , Tenite and Tenex ) scaled Swiss Army Knives are most common , there are many colors and alternative materials like nylon and aluminium for the scales available . Many textures , colors and shapes now appear in the Swiss Army Knife . Since 2006 the scales on some knife models can have texturized rubber non - slip inlays incorporated , intended for sufficient grip with moist or wet hands . A modding community has also developed , resulting in custom models produced with colorful anodized patterns or wood handles . Assembly . During assembly , all components are placed on several brass rivets . The first components are generally an aluminum separator and a flat steel spring . Once a layer of tools is installed , another separator and spring are placed for the next layer of tools . This process is repeated until all the desired tool layers and the finishing separator are installed . Once the knife is built , the metal parts are fastened by adding brass flanged bushings to the rivets . The excess length of the rivets is then cut off to make them flush with the bushings . Finally the remaining length of the rivets is flattened into the flanged bushings . After the assembly of the metal parts , the blades are sharpened to a 15° angle , resulting in a 30° V - shaped steel cutting edge . The blades are then checked with a laser reflecting goniometer to verify the angle of the cutting edges . Finally the scales are pressed onto the flanged bushings . The scales are being held in place by holes incorporated in the insides of the scales that result in a tight shape connection with the flanged bushings . Sizes . Victorinox Swiss Army knives use , , , , , , and closed length steppings . The thickness of the knives varies depending on the number of tool layers included . The knives offer the most variety in tool configurations in the Victorinox model line . Wenger Swiss Army knives use , , , , and closed length steppings . Thickness varies depending on the number of tool layers included . The knives offer the most variety in tool configurations in the Wenger model line . Manufacturers . The Swiss company Victorinox AG and up to 2008 its wholly owned subsidiary Wenger SA supply about 50 , 000 knives to the Military of Switzerland each year , and manufacture many more for export , mostly to the United States . Many commercial Victorinox and Wenger Swiss Army knives can be immediately distinguished by the " cross logos " depicted on their grip shells ; the Victorinox cross is surrounded by a shield with bilateral symmetry , while the Wenger cross is surrounded by a slightly rounded square with quadrilateral symmetry . Since 1961 the military issue knives supplied to the Swiss Armed Forces bear the Swiss Coat of Arms . Many other companies manufacture similar - looking multi - tool folding knives in a wide range of quality and prices . The cross - and - shield emblem and the words SWISS ARMY are registered trademarks of Victorinox AG and its related companies . Knives issued by the Swiss military . Since the first issue as personal equipment in 1891 the " Soldatenmesser " ( Soldier Knives ) issued by the Swiss Armed Forces have been revised several times . There are five different main " Modelle " ( models ) . Their model numbers refer to the year of introduction in the military supply chain . Several main models have been revised over time and therefore exist in different " Ausführungen " ( executions ) , also denoted by the year of introduction . The issued models of the Swiss Armed Forces are : Soldier Knives are issued to every recruit or member of the Swiss Armed Forces and the knives issued to officer s have never differed from those issued to non - commissioned officer s or private s . A model incorporating a corkscrew and scissors was produced as an officer ' s tool , but was deemed not " essential for survival " , leaving officers to purchase it individually . Soldier knife model 1890 . The Soldier Knife model 1890 had a spear point blade , reamer , can - opener , screwdriver and grips made out of oak wood scales ( handles ) that were treated with rapeseed oil for greater toughness and water - repellency , which made them black in color . The wooden grips of the Modell 1890 tended to crack and chip so in 1901 these were changed to a hard reddish - brown fiber similar in appearance to wood . The knife was long , mm thick and weighed . Soldier knife model 1908 . The Soldier Knife model 1908 had a clip - point blade rather than the 1890s spear point blade , still with the fiber scales , carbon steel tools , nickle - silver bolster , liners , and divider . The knife was long , mm thick and weighed . The contract with the Swiss Army split production equally between the Victorinox and Wenger companies . Soldier knife model 1951 . The soldier Knife model 1951 had fiber scales , nickle - silver bolsters , liners , and divider , and a spear point blade . This was the first Swiss Armed Forces issue model where the tools were made of stainless steel . The screwdriver now had a scraper arc on one edge . The knife was long , mm thick and weighed . Soldier knife model 1961 . The Soldier Knife model 1961 has a long knurled alox handle with the Swiss crest , a drop point blade , a reamer , a blade combining bottle opener , screwdriver , and wire stripper , and a combined can - opener and small screwdriver and it weighs . The knife was mm thick and weighed This official Swiss military model also contains a brass spacer , which allows the knife , with the screwdriver and the reamer extended simultaneously , to be used to assemble the SIG 550 and SIG 510 assault rifle s : the knife serves as a restraint to the firing pin during assembly of the lock . The Soldier Knife model 1961 was manufactured only by Victorinox and Wenger . Soldier knife 08 . The Soldier Knife 08 was first issued to the Swiss Armed Forces beginning with the first basic training sessions of 2009 . The Soldier Knife 08 features an long ergonomic handle with polymer texturized non - slip inlays incorporated in the nylon grip shells and a double liner lock ing system , one - hand long locking partly serrated chisel ground drop point blade , wood saw , can opener with small screwdriver , locking bottle opener with large screwdriver and wire stripper / bender , reamer , Phillips ( PH2 ) screwdriver and keyring . The Soldier Knife 08 width is , thickness is , overall length opened is and it weighs . The Soldier Knife 08 is manufactured only by Victorinox . Knives issued by other militaries . The armed forces of more than 20 different nations have issued their own versions of the Swiss army knife , among them the forces of Germany , France , the Netherlands and Malaysia . Cultural impact . The Swiss Army knife has been added to the collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art ( MoMA ) and Munich ' s State Museum of Applied Art for its design . The term " Swiss Army " currently is a registered trademark owned by Victorinox AG and its subsidiary Wenger SA . The television show MacGyver features Angus MacGyver who frequently uses a Swiss Army knife to solve problems and construct simple objects . The term " Swiss Army knife " has entered popular culture as a metaphor for usefulness and adaptability . The multi - purpose nature of the tool has also inspired a number of other gadget s .