Victorinox of Switzerland

In 1884, a 24 year old cutler named Karl Elsener returned to his native Switzerland after having served knife-making apprenticeships in Paris, France and in Tuttlingen, Germany where he had become a journey man. Elsener set up a workshop in the Swiss-German town of Ibach, where he sold his knives through his mother Victoria’s hat shop. The officer’s and sport knives began to be produced in 1897.

In 1890, Karl Elsener founded the association of Swiss Master Curlers to promote cooperation between producers to supply knives for the Swiss army. At that time, the army knives were purchased from Solingen the center of the German cutlery industry.

The first Swiss-made knives for the Swiss army were delivered in 1891 and it was a multi-blade built on a tapered regular jack frame.

In 1909, upon the death of his mother, Victoria, Elsener changed the name of his company to Victoria. In 1921, when Elsener started to make knife blades of stainless steel he changed the company name to Victorinox.

The Swiss defensive build-up during World War II led to increased business for Victorinox. The firm erected a completely new factory complex in 1943, followed by much larger additions in 1946, 1969 and 1976.

Since 2005, Victorinox has been the sole reducer of Swiss Army knives.

Among other products of Victorinox are: Swiss Army knives, SwissCArd, cutlery, bayonets, watches, etc.
Victorinox of Switzerland