The SwissCard was introduced by Victorinox in 1997 as an ingenious, alternative way to carry some of the typical tools of the Swiss Army Knife. The concept was simple: The tools are stored in a credit card sized package that can be slipped into a wallet, or purse, so they would always be available.
Following the introduction of the original SwissCard a number of other models have been introduced, some of which have been subsequently withdrawn (see Models below).

Like the Victorinox Classic Swiss Army Knife, this 'packaging' also serves as an effective advertising medium, with a large surface area on which logos and (promotional) text can be printed - As an item a person might keep with them, and make use of, this appeals to advertisers.

Photo Gallery Images

Models

SwissCard Classic

Originally known simply as the SwissCard, it was renamed to be the SwissCard Classic, to distinguish it from the later models that were introduced.
In the original version there was a rotating door over the scissors, which was removed in the Generation III version. See History below.

SwissCard Classic - 125th Anniversary

1. Blade
2. Pen
3. Tweezers
4. Pin
5. Ruler
6. Nailfile with a screwdriver tip
7. Scissors
8. Toothpick
9. Protractor - On the back of the rotating door NB. Only on 'Generation II' models - See History

Tools 1-5 are common to all SwissCards except the Nailcare, which exchanges the blade for a nailfile

Model Numbers:
0.7100.T: Translucent red,  0.7122.T2: Translucent blue,  0.7133.T3: Translucent black (onyx)

Original Model Numbers:
Solid colours, all with the rotating door - Blade handle and door colour match
4.3407: Grey with red blade handle;   4.3407.6R: Light grey with red blade handle;  4.3437.R: Grey with black blade handle;  4.3437.3: All Black

SwissCard Money Clip

Discontinued Model

A small variation of the Classic : The nailfile is replaced with a money clip.

SwissCard Visor

Discontinued Model

Another small variation on the Classic : A visor clip, which is used to attach the SwissCard to a car visor, again replaces the nailfile.

SwissCard Quattro

Discontinued Model

The SwissCard Quattro introduced a unique, flat, four-way screwdriver, that replaces the scissors in the Classic Swisscard.

1. Blade
2. Pen
3. Tweezers
4. Pin
5. Ruler
6. Nailfile with a screwdriver tip
7. Quattro Screwdriver *
8. Toothpick

The Quattro Tool * (which still features in the Swisscards Lite and Nailcare)  has the following screwdriver heads:

• Phillips #0
• Phillips #1-2
• 3mm flathead
• 5mm flathead

SwissCard Lite

The SwissCard Lite replaces the nailfile and toothpick from the Classic with a magnifying glass, LED and the Quattro four-headed screwdriver.

1. Blade
2. Pen
3. Tweezers
4. Pin
5. Ruler
6. Magnifying Glass
7. Scissors
8. LED Light
9. Quattro Screwdriver *

Model Numbers:
0.7300.T: Translucent red;  0.7322.T2: Translucent blue;  0.7333.T3: Translucent black (onyx)

SwissCard Nailcare

The SwissCard Nailcare is a SwissCard targeted at personal care introduced in 2015.
The blade has been replaced with a glass file. The cut out for the new file is smaller than those in the other versions.
The Classic nailfile/screwdriver has been replaced by the Quattro screwdriver and the magnifying glass is also added, giving it a very similar toolset to the SwissCard Lite.

1. Resistant glass nailfile
2. Pen
3. Tweezers
4. Pin
5. Ruler
6. Magnifying Glass
7. Scissors
8. Toothpick
9. Quattro Screwdriver *

Model Numbers:
0.7240.T: Translucent red (ruby);  0.7240.T21: Translucent ice blue;  0.7240.T3: Translucent black (onyx)

Body Material

Unlike any of the other materials used by Victorinox for scales, the SwissCard is made from ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol) plastic.

History

The original SwissCard was patented in 1996 and introduced in 1997 and was followed by several variations in the next few years (see above and below). Interestingly, the very first SwissCards had different product numbers from the current ones (see above) and were also described as having 7 Features - 10 Functions. Later, the specification was changed to just 10 Functions, and later still 11 Functions, when the protractror was added.
Note: The SwissCard Classic tool list above shows nine tools. This does however, correlate with the Victorinox specification, as the ruler and nailfile are deemed to have two functions each: Ruler: mm and inches; Nailfile plus screwdriver! Also see functions image links in above paragraph.

• 1997: Generation I: The SwissCard is first released. Original models have a rotating door for access to the scissors
• 2000: The Quattro and MoneyClip models are introduced
• 2000: Generation II: A protractor is added to the sliding door
• 2001: Translucent models are introduced
• 2001: The Visor model is introduced
• 2003: The SwissCard Lite is introduced
• 2004: The SwissCard Lite wins the prestigious 'Best of the Best' Red Dot Design Award for product design
• 2006: (Possibly earlier) The Quattro, MoneyClip and Visor models are no longer available (as these models are not in the catalogue for this year)
• 2008: Generation III: The sliding scissor door/protractor is removed - Apparently to improve the solidity of the card
  • The scissors are now extracted via a dimple in the shell
• 2009: The red LEDs on the SwissCard Lite are replaced by white LEDs
• 2015: The Nailcare is added to the line up and wins the Red Dot award for product design

Variations

• Many colours have been available including translucent models. Colours have changed over time, the solid colours produced were grey, red and black, however the solid colours are no longer available. The translucent colours have included ruby, sapphire, emerald, purple, onyx, and most recently ice blue (Nailcare only). The purple and emerald models are also out of production
• The SwissCard is frequently used for promotional purposes and there are many promotional variations of the SwissCard.
• The Dr. SwissCard was a promotional variation targeted at pharmaceutical companies (not available to the general public?), where an EKG fine ruler was added to the nailfile, and the tweezers were replaced with some tiny EKG calipers (see ruler image). These tools are used to measure the distance between peaks on an electrocardiogram (EKG).
• In 2009, a special 125th Anniversary SwissCard Classic was released as part of the Jubilee Series to commemorate Victorinox's 125th Anniversary (US Model: 54409). Packaged in a special 125th Anniversary box it also included a small weekend wallet that holds a couple credit cards and includes a mirror.
• From time to time Victorinox brings out special editions of the SwissCard such as the 2020 Fresh Energy and Spring Spirit versions of the Classic.

Physical Specifications

• Length: 82mm / 3 1/4"
• Width: 54mm / 2 1/8"
• Thickness: 4mm / 3/16"
• Weight: 25.6g / 0.9oz

External Resources

• SOSAK: SwissCards, May 1st, 2008 (Wayback Machine)
• SOSAK: SwissCards — Part II, June 1st, 2008 (dead)
• SAAM'S: Victorinox SwissCard