A Wenger commemorative edition of the Model 1890, which was limited to 1893 copies.
Swiss steel The Swiss Army Knife, that pocket-toolbox, is a global icon, representative of Swiss ingenuity, design and craftsmanship. ‘The Little Red Knife’, of which there are hundreds of designs and millions made and in use, has been on epic journeys to the North Pole, the Amazon, the top of Mount Everest and even into space. TEXT: ERIC BRYAN I PHOTOS: PHOTOPRESS VICTORINOX
Swiss Army Knives have played roles in a seemingly endless variety of adventures, from rescues and other emergencies to repairing broken-down vehicles in remote tracts of desert or tundra. Karl Elsener Karl Elsener founded a cutlery workshop in Ibach in 1884 and began producing goods for local consumption. Elsener consulted with the military in 1890 about designing a rugged, compact implement which would fulfil several functions required by 24 | Issue 78 | September 2019
soldiers in the field. Within a year, Elsener presented the prototype of the Schweizer Offiziersmesser (Swiss Officer’s Knife). Besides a blade and screwdriver, this experimental model had a can-opener and a reamer. The scales (handles) were made of oak (subsequently changed to a fibre material). Elsener exceeded the military’s expectations, and in 1891 he began provisioning the army with the knife, known as the Model 1890. The initial batch was manufactured by Wester & Co
in Solingen, Germany, but Elsener persevered in labouring to build Swiss production power to rival Germany’s. Elsener improved the Model 1890 and developed a two-spring design which allowed the fitting of tools to both sides of the knife. The new knife had six tools, but was also lighter than the previous model. Elsener registered his creation, the Officer’s and Sports Knife, on 12 June 1897. Though the Swiss Army didn’t contract to acquire the 1897 model, Elsener’s design was so well made, that soldiers simply bought the knives themselves. Elsener’s mother, Victoria, had been supportive of her son’s aspirations, and when she died in 1909, he adopted the brand