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History army knife: an arms race in Swiss

125 years ago there was the first Swiss Army knife.




In Switzerland, there is a saying: each Swiss it is in your pocket. This item is well known and popular in many countries worldwide.

However, a Swiss penknife humble roots; at the beginning of his life, he was not even red.

At the end of XIX century in the arms of the Swiss army entered rifle, which can be cleaned, disassembled only with a special screwdriver. At the same time, the Army began to include canned rations, and generals came to the conclusion that the soldiers needed a can opener.

All this helped the Swiss knife manufacturers, who experienced stiff competition from the Germans produce cheaper products.



The first Army knife was black

"My great-grandfather started a small business in 1884, 125 years ago - says Karl Elsener, director of Victorinox, Swiss knives produces. - He made knives for farmers, kitchen knives, and so on, and then I heard that the Swiss Army knife wants to equip every soldier ».

Great-grandfather Karl Elsenera grabbed this opportunity with both hands and created a knife like the generals.

"It was very simple, - says Elsener. - He had a black handle, one large blade, can opener and screwdriver ».

Why corkscrew officer?

A few years after the soldier's knife blade officer appeared, which were also a corkscrew and scissors.

But this tool has not entered "adopted" the Swiss army generals came to the conclusion that the spin is not the subject, "necessary for survival" in combat. If the officers would have the knife, they had to buy it individually.

However, according to Charles Elsenera, thanks to this model of a Swiss knife has become an international brand.



Army knife, which hit the Guinness Book of Records

"After the Second World War in Europe turned out to be a lot of American soldiers - said Elsener. - They had the opportunity to buy Swiss Army Knives in PX stores on military bases, and they bought them in large quantities. They were difficult to pronounce "Schweizer Offizier Messer", so they say, "Swiss army knife", and this name is now known all over the world ».

Nowadays there are the Swiss knives for each activity: with altimeters for climbers; with instruments that help anglers get the hooks out of the mouth of fish caught; with a blade which allows to cut cheese slices of the same size.

However, there are also failures. Knife sharpener for pencils was not popular, as proved to be too thick.

The Guinness Book of Records was a Swiss knife with 314 blades and appliances.

"I do not think that my great-grandfather could not imagine what will win the popular Swiss Army knife around the world, it will become a symbol of Swiss quality and reliability, - says Karl Elsener. - In his little workshop, he only thought about how to make a knife for the Swiss army ».

Those who love the little things such as "all their burden with a" may interest offered by Victorinox Universal folding knife called SwissMemory Laser.



It should be noted that this product is remarkable in that, apart from having a sharp blade, screwdriver, scissors and retractable ballpoint pen, it has in its arsenal is also a laser pointer and a portable flash drive 2 GB Interface USB 2.0.

Buy this "gentleman's set" can now at a price of $ 148, with on e of the news a two-year guarantee of quality, while the rest of her life.