Victorinox is the maker of The Original Swiss Army Knife.

Table of Contents History General Company Information Contact Information

History

In 1884, Karl Elsener started his cutlery business in Ibach Switzerland. Soon after he approached the Swiss government about supplying the Swiss army with his knives, rather than importing them from Germany. In 1891 Elsener's Cutlery started supplying knifes for the Swiss army.

In 1909, in part to distinguish his knives from competition, Elsener started putting the Swiss Cross on all his knives. It was also in this year that Elsener named his company Victoria after his mother, who had just passed away. Twelve years later, after Stainless Steel is invented, Elsener added the suffix inox, from the French word inoxydable (meaning stainless) to the name and renamed the company Victorinox. Stainless steel was a significant historical achievement, and was also noted for many years on the tang-stamp of the main blade with the German word rostfrei.

General Company Information

Every year Victorinox produces approximately 6 million Swiss Army Knives. Additionally, another 7 million 'other' pocket tools are made. Add in 13 million household and professional knives and Victorinox is producing 26 million items a year!

Contact Information

Address:
Victorinox AG
Schmiedgasse 57
CH-6438 Ibach-Schwyz

Telephone:
Phone:+41 41 81 81 211
Fax: +41 41 81 81 511

Website:
www.victorinox.ch