About Victorinox
Since 1884, the quality of Victorinox's products has been their first priority. This high quality awareness is reflected in their efficient quality system that covers the production of pocket multi-tools, household and professional knives. The Victorinox labs meet with the latest standard of engineering. They guarantee that only steel and plastic, which comply with their rigorous quality standards, are used in the manufacturing of their products. The steel consists of special alloys, which possess those material characteristics that are most important for the respective field of application. Victorinox strives to maintain its world wide reputation by implementing such high standards of quality, functionality, design and finish.
History
In 1884, following his apprenticeship in Paris and in Tuttlingen in South Germany, Karl Elsener opens his own cutler's business in Ibach-Schwyz. The energy for the grinding and polishing machines is supplied by a waterwheel driven by the Tobelbach brook. The Swiss Army is supplied with soldiers' knives for the first time in 1891. In 1909, to distinguish his knives from copies, the company founder decides to use the cross and shield, today's Victorinox emblem, on all pocket knives from this date on. After the death of his mother in the same year, the company founder chooses her first name "Victoria" as the company name. In 1921, stainless steel is invented (also known as "inox"). The new brand name "Victorinox" is produced by combining "inox" with the name "Victoria". After the Second World War, the PX shops of the US Army, Marines and Air Force sell the "Swiss Officer's Knife" in large quantities to their officers and soldiers. The Americans call it the "Swiss Army Knife" for short, a term that has stuck in all English-speaking regions.
