The innovation behind one of the world's most iconic brands

It may be known for its Swiss Army Knives, but Victorinox has continued to expand its offering with a stable of quality products.

Victorinox has supplied the Swiss Army with their iconic pocket knives since 1881

This article was produced in partnership with Victorinox.

When Karl Elsener opened his knife cutler’s workshop in Switzerland in 1884, he could not have foreseen his business would still be around more than a century later, let alone be the iconic brand it is today. But, from little things, big things grow, and by 1891, Mr Elsener’s story was fixed in history when he delivered his first supply of soldier’s knives to the Swiss Army.

“In the 1880s, the Swiss Army was in want of a multifunctional, practical tool that soldiers could carry with them everywhere,” a Victorinox spokesperson explained. “For this reason, Karl Elsener invented the Officers and Sports Knife, which later became known as the Swiss Army Knife™.”

The lightweight and elegant knife, which featured additional tools such as a screwdriver and corkscrew, became a symbol of the brand’s long-standing ethos of preparedness. Since then, the Swiss Army Knife™ has remained an unparalleled product of design and functionality, recognised for its quality and innovation in Switzerland and worldwide.

Victorinox watches are engineered at the company’s own competence centre in Delémont, Switzerland

Family business

Just as the company's commitment to helping prepare its customers for everyday life has remained steadfast over the years, so too has its family ties. The reins of the business have been passed down generation to generation, with Carl Elsener IV currently serving as CEO.

“Victorinox remains a family-run business that operates from the heart of Switzerland, in Ibach-Schwyz,” the spokesperson said.

“Living up to our legacy as the makers of the original Swiss Army Knife™, we’ve been producing well-thought-out products with precision and care for over 140 years, which has made Victorinox a global icon of preparedness.”

The brand’s name itself is a testament to this familial bond. In 1909, when Mr Elsener’s mother, Victoria, passed away, he honoured her memory by naming the company after her. That same year, he registered the now instantly recognisable cross and shield emblem as a trademark. 

Twelve years later, stainless steel, also known as inox, was invented and quickly became a key material used in the cutlery industry. This led to the company changing its name to the one we now know: Victorinox (a combination of Victoria and inox).

Be prepared

During the Second World War, the Swiss Army Knife™ became an international phenomenon when the US Army jumped on the pocket-knife bandwagon, ordering a large supply for its Post Exchange stores. Soldiers stationed in Europe even collected the knives to take home as souvenirs.

Continuing to innovate and prepare customers for whatever life throws at them, in 1989 Victorinox expanded its offerings to include watches, before adding travel gear to its remit 10 years later.

“The original Swiss Army Knife has inspired the brand’s other products, and its core values lie at the heart of everything Victorinox does,” the spokesperson said.

“The company understands that its consumers have evolved, and it continues evolving its offering to keep them best prepared in their daily lives.”

An ever-growing range

Today, Victorinox offers four unique product categories: Swiss Army Knives, household and professional knives, watches, and travel gear. 

“We believe that smart and masterful solutions make life better, so we aim to deliver carefully thought-out products that serve their purpose expertly,” the spokesperson said. 

“Across all our products, we ensure we deliver a quality and design promise via Swiss engineering and above-and-beyond product testing.”

Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Travel Gear is created from SORPLAS™, a high performance recycled polycarbonate

Just like Karl Elsener did in 1884, the craftsmen and women at Victorinox design each product purposefully, giving customers the confidence that whatever item they purchase will be dependable and last for many years.

“Victorinox’s product teams always design and engineer products with the consumers and intended use in mind. With great attention given to details, they make sure that every product is reliable, authentic and user-friendly. 

“As an authentically Swiss company, Victorinox pursues excellence in all it does and has made it its mission to prepare consumers for everyday challenges.”

At Victorinox, we masterfully design and expertly craft smart solutions that help people be best prepared for the challenges of everyday life.

Always smart, always carefully thought-out and always in pursuit of excellence, we ensure that every Victorinox product is the very definition of preparedness. That’s why, whenever you have one with you, you are simply Made to be Prepared.

For more information, visit victorinox.com.au