Pocket Knifes
Consider The Amazing Versatility Of A Swiss Army Knife
The Swiss army knife has its origins as far back as 1891 when Karl Elsener, who was the owner of a company making surgical implements discovered to his dismay that the pocket knives that were issued to the Swiss army were, in fact, made in Germany. Elsener decided that these knives should be made in Switzerland by the Swiss. He obtained the contract and started producing the current Modell 1890 knives towards the close of 1891. It was not too long before people discovered the versatility of a Swiss army knife.
The model numbers of the knives refer to the year the knife was introduced. The original Modell (German spelling) 1890 was issued to the Swiss army ostensibly to assist the soldiers to open their food cans and to take apart their Schmidt-Rubin rifles. This knife had a can-opener, blade, screwdriver and a reamer. The grips were a dark colored oak wood that was changed to ebony at a later stage.
The knives were available to US servicemen from their PX stores following World War II, but having problems saying Schweizer Offiziersmesser, the official name for the knives, the men called them Swiss Army Knives, a name that has stuck to this day. This name has now been officially registered as a trademark by the Victorinox company and all subsidiaries producing this type of knife.
Easily recognizable by its red handle grips with a white cross at one end and consisting of one or two blades and a number of useful tools that may be folded out, a Swiss Army Knife has been the tool of choice of hunters, fishermen, campers and anyone else needing a convenient, portable set of tools that can perform a large variety of tasks. There are many designs on the market that will suit almost any job. Indeed, regardless of what immediately springs to mind, some folks like the black Swiss army knife. These range from the lightweight models containing a knife blade, bottle and can-opener combinations, a screwdriver and a reamer, to the massive Giant, all of nine inches broad and with 87 separate tools able to accomplish 141 functions.
Victorinox and Wenger, a subsidiary, produce this range of knives including the popularly acclaimed Classic Knife, a mere three inches in length but very strong with very little bulk. This model has a keyring and can be attached to a key chain which allows it to be kept close at hand. The type of tools found on this small knife are blades, scissors, a toothpick, different screwdriver heads, tweezers, nail files and so many more that may not be needed, but are included with the design in the event that they will be needed.
The Presentation Master has ushered the Swiss Army Knife into the Information Age with its ultra modern features like a flash drive incorporating a fingerprint scanner enabling encryption of its data, a laser pointing device, and other computer accessories. All of the devices can be folded into the body by hand or pulled in by springs while they are not in use. The model without blades may be taken on board an aircraft.
Extending the range, knives such as the Champion Plus are fitted with such tools as a small saw with serrated blade, fish scaler, hook remover, punch tool, reamer and many more. A waterproof pouch is available as well as a leather belt pouch enabling the knife to be carried on the person. Other models include the Climber Swiss army knife and the Spartan.
The knives may be sharpened using either steel or a whetstone, although Victorinox recommend using the steel and, in fact manufacture a knife sharpener, precisely for this purpose. With so many uses, the versatility of a Swiss army knife can not be disputed.
Highest Value Pocket Knives (EDC) for Less Than $30.