Tonight I was reading the December 2014 issue of Wired and paused to read the entire page of the Victorinox ad. I think I was captured by the part of the sentence which included “his little forge on the Tolebach.” Although I have been familiar with the Swiss army knife, seemingly forever, I never gave a moments thought to it’s origin.
Day to day I carry a different type of pocket knife but I always pack my Swiss army knife in my travel kit.
I’d like to know more about why Karl Elsener got the contract but I don’t have time to pursue that right now. I found a few references to grease the wheel for someone who might want to follow up on the subject.
1884 Karl Elsener opens a cutlery workshop in Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland with the support of his mother Victoria.
1891Karl Elsener and his coworkers deliver knives for soldiers in the Swiss Army for the first time.
1897 The name Swiss “Officer’s” and “Sport Knife” is legally protected on June 12. The model later became the Original Swiss Army Knife.
1909
Following the death of his mother, Karl Elsener introduces the brand name Victoria in her honor. The iconic Cross and Shield emblem is registered as a trademark
Happy exploring.
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