Introduction
Several books have been written about Swiss Army Knives, most are written for the collector or serious enthusiast. Some deal with Swiss Army Knives in general, whilst others are specific to either Victorinox or Wenger.
Note - June 2020:
The availability of these books should be carefully checked, many maybe out of print or unavailable, although some may be available second-hand on ebay.
Table of contents
Books Discussing Both Companies
Les Couteaux du Soldat de l'Armee Suisse
Book Details
Full Title: LES COUTEAUX DU SOLDAT DE L'ARMEE SUISSE
Alternate Title: The Soldier Knives of the Swiss Army
Author: Robert Moix
Publisher:
Publication Date: August 2013
Language: French
Format: A4 - 21cm x 29.7cm (8.3 in ? 11.7 in)
Binding: Softcover
ISBN:
Status: In-Print
Couteau du Soldat Suisse
A French language reference book on the Swiss Soldier Knife. An English language introduction is also provided. This is a very short chronological reference book, that gives details on each model of the Swiss Soldier Knife. Probably the most useful information is the collection of different tang-stamps from the early Soldier knives, since these can be hard to acquire in a personal collection. The core reference material weight, size, production years, and marks are easily interpreted in any language as it is numeric and pictorial information. Close to half of the book is devoted to photographs.
The English language translation is incomplete and seems like a last minute thought. The introduction is missing the 1951 entry so it reads incorrectly and the very short notes on some models and marks are not translated.
The collector interested in the details of Swiss soldier knives will probably find this book a convenient reference.
Book Details
Full Title: LE COUTEAU DU SOLDAT SUISSE
Alternate Title: Swiss Army Knife
Author: Thierry Deladoey
Publisher:
Publication Date: October 2012
Language: French (also English language introduction, and table headings)
Format: 14.7cm x 21cm (5.75" x8.25") - 57 pages
Binding: Softcover
ISBN: No cataloging information
Status: In-Print
The Swiss Army Knife - Owner's Manual
This book contains a wealth of information that will be appreciated by collectors. The author does seem unsure though about what exactly he wanted the book to be. Owner’s Manual was a good idea that would have separated it from previous books, but the material contained between the covers is too diverse. The lack of focus combined with poor organization and flow is likely to make it harder than necessary for the less initiated to absorb. A less serious issue is some well documented facts are presented as questionable, while other less documented and incorrect information is presented without question. The photographs are interesting and informative.
Not a book to start with, but a good one to work up to.
Book Details
Full Title: The Swiss Army Knife - Owner's Manual
Author: Michael M. Young
Publisher: Self-published - as of November 1st, 2011
Publication Date: 2011, October
Type/Pages: Softcover; 223 pages, 96 colour photographs
ISBN: 978-0-615-50351-6 / 9780615503516
Status: In-Print
Swiss Army Knife Handbook
The Official History and Owner's Guide
Kathryn Kane is the undisputed godmother of all SAK mods and this book explains her views on various uses and modifications that can be done with various Swiss Army Knife models. It also contains a brief history of both companies and details on many individual tools. It starts with a foreword by Rick Wall, the president of the Swiss Army Knife Society at the time.
Book Details
Full Title: Swiss Army Knife Handbook - The Official History and Owner's Guide
Author: Kathryn Kane
Publisher: Birdworks Publications
Date: 1988
Type/Pages: Softcover, 94 pages
ISBN: 0-929180-00-3
Status: Out of Print
Swiss Army Knife Companion
The Improbable History of the World’s Handiest Knife
A humorous book about SAKs. It has a short history without many details and lots of humorous pictures detailing how everything from a pup-tent to a kitchen sink can be found in a SAK.
Book Details
Full Title: Swiss Army Knife Companion
Sub-Title: The Improbable History of the Worlds Handiest Knife
Author: Rick Wall
Publisher: Swiss Army Knife Soceity
Date: 1986
Type/Pages: Paperback, 64 pages
ISBN: 9780961803506
Status: Out of Print
The Swiss Soldiers Knives
A comprehensive collection of the soldiers models and variations from 1890 to 2020. There is also a German edition of this book — "Das Schweizer Soldatenmesser".
Book Details
Full Title: The Swiss Soldiers Knives
Author: Stephan Keller
Publisher: Stephan Keller
Date: 2021 (3rd Edition)
Type/Pages: Hardcover, 380 pages
ISBN: N/A
Status: Available from author/publisher
Books Discussing Victorinox
A Collector's Guide to 58mm Small Size Pocket Knives
This book, a 9" x 7?" three ring 1" binder, is a comprehensive cataloguing of the Victorinox 58mm sized models. The book starts with a numerical model index, followed by a page for each model. Information about each model include when it was made, when it was discontinued, details about the tool set, and the product numbers (not all data is available for all models). A black and white picture is included for most models. The numerical model index gives details on colours and styles available and the product number suffix-codes for these variations.
The publication is designed to be expanded or updated with information as additional existing models are identified, or new models are manufactured.
This book would be very valuable to anyone collecting the 58mm SAKs or interested in the different variations or themes that Victorinox has manufactured over their long history.
Book Details
Full Title: A Collector's Guide to Victorinox 58mm (2?") Small Size Pocket Knives
Author: Daniel J. Jacquart
Publisher: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Society
Date: 2006 - First Release, (Later updates were made)
Type/Page: Three Ring Binder, 8.5" x 5.5" pages
ISBN: N/A
Status: Available from author/publisher
Cost: $14.95, + Postage ($8 USA, $10 foreign)
Contact: tovsakcs (AT) mwt.net
(Editor’s Note 2021: Unlikely to be available now as Mr Jaquart retired from VSAKCS several years ago
A Collector's Companion
This book does a decent job of giving the history of the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, and contains many high quality pictures. Wenger is briefly mentioned, but the book focuses on Victorinox and their knives. There are several pictures of knives, company buildings, and the family which has controlled the company since its inception. While it's billed as a 'Collector's Companion' there is not too much information on the history of the different models or their variations over the years. Still, a serious collector should probably have this book on their shelf.
There seems to be quite a few printings, and some confusion about official editions of the book. It appears the different printings of the official editions include some additional information on new models. Cataloging information within the books appears incomplete with respect to printing.
Book Details
Full Title: Swiss Army Knives
Sub-Title: A Collector's Companion
Author: Derek Jackson
Publisher: Compendium Publishing Ltd. and Apple Press
Date: 1999
Type/Pages: Hardcover, 192 pages
ISBN: 1-84092-235-4
Publisher: Compendium Publishing and Communications
Date: 2004
Type/Pages: Hardcover, 194 pages
ISBN: 978-1902579-70-2
Status: Out-of-print
Second Edition: Updated and Expanded
Publisher: Compendium Publishing
Date: May 31, 2007
ISBN-10: 1-90557-342-1
ISBN-13: 978-1905573-42-4
ISBN-13: 978-1905573-70-7
Status: Unlikely to still be in print (06/21)
Third Edition: Updated and Expanded
Publisher: Chartwell Books
Date: October 23, 2018
Type/Pages: Hardcover, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 0-78583-634-9
ISBN-13: 978-0785836-34-6
Status: In-Print
The Knife and its History
Published in 1984 for Victorinox's 100-year anniversary, the book dedicates roughly half its pages to a brief history of knives and knife manufacturing throughout the world. The remainder of the book recounts the history of Victorinox and their knives. There are a number of photos and illustrations with several pictures being half or full page. The book is beautifully done, with a hardcover binding.
From a collector’s standpoint there is not much information on specific models, but the detailed history might help focus one’s collection, or simply increase one's appreciation for Victorinox and the Swiss Army Knife.
Book Details
Full Title: The Knife and its History
Author: Victorinox
Publisher: Victorinox
Date: 1984
Type/Pages: Hardcover, 192 pages
ISBN: N/A
Status: Out of Print
Availability: Possibly available with some research
Enzyklopädie der Victorinox Taschenmesser -
von den Anfängen bis in die 1970er Jahre
(Encyclopedia of Victorinox Pocket Knifes: from the beginning to the 1970s)
This is a very detailed three-volume German language book containing information on the different models of Victorinox pocket knives from 1884 to ca. 1975.
The book provides a list of all known models and known information with many colour images of the pocket knives.
This book will be very useful to anyone who collects Victorinox SAKs.
There is also an Amazon Kindle version of the book (and also an English translation).
Book Details
Full Title: Enzyklopädie der Victorinox Taschenmesser - von den Anfängen bis in die 1970-er Jahre
Author: Elsi Nox
Publisher: Elsi Nox
Date: 2021 (1st Edition)
Type/Pages: Hardcover, about 1,600 pages in 3 volumes
Language: German
Book format: 32 cm x 23 cm
ISBN: N/A
Availability: Available from author/publisher, a Kindle electronic book version (in German and English) is also available from Amazon
Books Discussing Wenger
A Collector’s Guide to Vintage Wenger Knives by Dave Arnold
This wonderful book was written by the renowned collector of vintage Swiss knives, Dave Arnold from Canada. The book is primarily dedicated to the history of Wenger knives and contains a huge number of photographs of the rarest Wenger knives, not only from the author's extensive collection, but also from the collections of serious collectors of Swiss knives from around the world, kindly provided for this book. In addition to a detailed description of the evolution of Wenger knives, the book contains rare vintage knives from other Swiss knife-makers (Victorinox, Rothlisberger, Buhler, Forges L&C and others). This book is indispensable for all Swiss knife lovers.
Book Details
Full Title: A Collectors Guide to Vintage Wenger Knives
Author: Dave Arnold
Publisher: Dave Arnold
Date: 2021
Type/Pages: Softcover, 358 pages
ISBN: 9798733041605
Availability: From Amazon
A Fervour Over Knives
Published by Wenger S.A. in 1993 to commemorate their 100th Anniversary.
Wenger also created special gift packaging for this book.
Book Details
Full Title: A Fervour Over Knives
Author: Wenger S.A. / Various
Publisher: Wenger S.A.
Date: 1993
Type/Pages: Hardcover, 152 pages
ISBN: N/A
LC Control Number: 95186216
Open Library: OL3134540W
OCLC: 034767219 - WorldCat Entry
Status: Out of Print
General Swiss Army Knife Books
Werken mit dem Taschenmesser
This is a German language book that is intended for anyone educating children on the use and care of pocket knives. The book presents twenty-six different fun, educational outdoors’ projects such as musical instruments, toys, eating utensils, and survival tools. All these are accomplished with varying degrees of skill and a multi-tool pocket knife (Victorinox models are used throughout the book).
The book is a good quality medium format size with good photographs and very good illustrations for each project.
The book also covers basic knife safety, care, cleaning, and sharpening. It also provides education on how a Swiss Army Knife is put together with a detailed diagram of the individual pieces from the blades to the bushings. Handle, or scale, removal and replacement is also covered. There is some basic anatomy information on cuts and medical information for dealing with them.
Overall this looks like a great book, and it fills a need for more resources for parents, educators, kids, and pocket knives.
A French language translation was released in March 2013. Hopefully and English language version will eventually be released, at least in an ebook form, and I'm sure other languages would be appreciated as well.
Book Details
Full Title: Werken mit dem Taschenmesser
Sub-Title: 26 Schnitzanleitungen vom Klangstab bis zum Segelboot
Author: Felix Immler
Publisher: AT Verlag (in partnership with Victorinox)
Publication Date: April 2012
Language: German
Format: 20cm x 25cm (approx. 7 3/4 x 9 7/8)
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-3-03800-665-7 (4th Edition/Printing 2013)
Status: In-Print
French Language Translation:
Full Title: Couteau suisse : Techniques, applications et 26 projets concrets
Author: Felix Immler
Translator: Emmanuel Studer
Publisher: Rossolis (in partnership with Victorinox)
Publication Date: March 2013
Language: French
ISBN: 978-2-94036-559-3
Status: In-Print
Outdoor mit dem Taschenmesser
This is a German language book that is intended for anyone educating children on the outdoor use and care of pocket knives. (Victorinox models are used throughout the book).
The book is a good quality medium format size with good photographs and very good illustrations for each project.
An English language translation was released in March 2017.
Book Details
Full Title: Outdoor mit dem Taschenmesser
Sub-Title: 63 Bushcraft-Projekte für Waldcamp und unterwegs
Author: Felix Immler
Publisher: AT Verlag (in partnership with Victorinox)
Publication Date: August 2, 2015
Language: German
Format: 20cm x 25cm (approx. 7 3/4 x 9 7/8)
Type/Pages: Hardcover, 208 pages
ISBN: 978-3-03800-851-4 (2nd Edition/Printing 2015)
Status: In-Print
English Language Translation:
Full Title: The Swiss Army Knife Book: 63 Outdoor Projects
Author: Felix Immler
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Adult (3rd Edition)
Publication Date: March 23, 2017
Language: English
Format: 7.88 x 0.88 x 9.88 inches
Type/Pages: Paperback, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 9780711238893
ISBN-13: 978-0711238893
Status: In-Print
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Whittling Book: 43 Easy Projects
This is an English language book contains step-by-step instructions on how to carve useful & whimsical objects with the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife.
There is also a gift edition released in September 2017.
Book Details
Full Title: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Whittling Book
Sub-Title: 43 Easy Projects
Author: Chris Lubkemann
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing
Publication Date: July 1, 2015
Language: English
Format: 7.88 x 0.88 x 9.88 inches
Type/Pages: Paperback, 136 pages
ISBN-10: 9780711238893
ISBN-13: 978-1565238770
Status: In-Print
Gift Edition:
Full Title: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Whittling Book, Gift Edition
Sub-Title: 43 Easy Projects
Author: Chris Lubkemann
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing
Publication Date: September 4, 2017
Language: English
Format: 5.6 x 0.9 x 6.8 inches
Type/Pages: Hardcover, 192 pages
ISBN-10: 9781565239098
ISBN-13: 978-1565239098
Status: In-Print
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Camping and Outdoor Survival Guide
101 Tips, Tricks and Uses
This is an English language book contains useful tips for the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife usage in the outdoors.
Book Details
Full Title: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Camping & Outdoor Survival Guide: 101 Tips, Tricks & Uses
Sub-Title: How to Sharpen Your Skills and Handle Emergency Situations with Just Your Pocket Knife
Author: Bryan Lynch
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing
Publication Date: April 8, 2019
Language: English
Format: 5.9 x 0.7 x 7.1 inches
Type/Pages: Paperback, 224 pages
ISBN-10: 1565239954
ISBN-13: 78-1565239951
Status: In-Print
The Swiss Army Knife
A children's story in which the main character receives his first Swiss Army Knife.
Book Details
Full Title: The Swiss Army Knife
Author: Peter Hayden
Illustrations by: Clint Banbury
Series: The Stingy Simon Series - Volume 6
Publisher: Crazy Horse Press
Date: 2005
Type/Pages: Paperback, pages 64
ISBN: 1-87187-025-9