Celebrating 125 Years Of The Swiss Army Knife

On the occasion of a historic milestone for the legendary Swiss company, an interview with Victorinox AG CEO Carl Elsener

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The Swiss Army Knife is a global icon. What started as an outdoors pocket knife made specially for Swiss army officers has, over the last century, become an essential tool in millions of households around the world. The family-owned Victorinox AG sells more than 10 million little red knives in 400 different versions every year, across 120 countries globally. In 2017, the company reached the landmark of having sold 500 million Swiss Army Knives. Victorinox's product line, though, has over the last three decades diversified beyond the traditional Swiss Army, kitchen and professional knives, extending into watches, travel gear and even perfumes. The non-knife segment now contributes around 30 per cent to the company sales.

To celebrate Swiss Army Knife's 125th birthday, Victorinox AG CEO Carl Elsener, the great-grandson of founder Karl Elsener, held a roundtable meeting with select media in Mumbai. Here are some excerpts from what he said.

The most famous knife in the world started life in 1897 as Swiss Officer's Knife, how did it become Swiss Army Knife?

Carl Elsener: My great grandfather who created the knife called it Swiss Officer's Knife because maybe he felt that officers should have a more elegant knife than the regular soldiers. He also felt that this knife could be used by anyone who wants to enjoy nature through camping and trekking. Then, during and after the Second World War, we were able to deliver the little red knife in big quantities to the Army stores of the United States. The US soldiers had picked up the knife while in Europe, liked it very much, and took it home with them, where other soldiers saw it and also wanted to buy. The name Swiss Officer's Knife was too long for them, so they just called it Swiss Army Knife, a name that has stuck since then.