| The Swiss Army Knife is a hand tool with a multitude | | | | A brass spacer on the official Army model allows the |
| of functions. This knife sports an array of various tools | | | | knife with the screwdriver and the reamer to be |
| as well as a blade. They are known for having | | | | extended at the same time, to be used to assemble |
| screwdrivers, can openers, scissors and more each | | | | the Swiss Army assault rifles (the SIG 550 and the |
| stored away inside their own compartment within the | | | | SIG 510). |
| handle of the knife. They are exposed through a pivot | | | | A standard full-size SAK is approximately 3.5in long |
| point action. The handle is usually red in color with a | | | | and .75in wide; smaller models are typically about 2.25in |
| white cross (the emblem of Switzerland). The model | | | | long and .5in wide. Thickness varies depending on the |
| used by the actual Swiss Army has an | | | | number of tools included. A flat version with somewhat |
| aluminum-plated handle. | | | | fewer tools (but still retaining a knife) the size and |
| This knife is synonymous with the pocketknife. It is | | | | shape of a credit card known as a Swiss Card, can |
| often descriptive with a sort of tool, such as a | | | | be stored in a typical wallet. Although red SAKs are |
| software tool, that is a family of special-purpose tools. | | | | most common, black, blue, white, phosphorescent |
| There are various types and styles of Swiss Army | | | | yellow, camouflage patterns, and other colors are |
| knives each with its own tool combination for a | | | | available. The plastic cladding is usually opaque but |
| specific tasks. The Swiss Army's knife has a | | | | may be transparent; metal- and wood-clad models are |
| corrugated metal surface with a red emblem and | | | | available. |
| adorns a blade, a reamer, a bottle-opener/screwdriver | | | | Founded in 1884, since 1891 the company has delivered |
| wire stripper, and a can-opener/screwdriver. | | | | knives to the Swiss Army. The famous emblem, a |
| The simplest model sold includes a single blade. The | | | | cross in a shield, has been used by Victorinox since |
| most popular models typically include a combination of | | | | 1909. That year, the mother of founder Karl Elsener |
| the tools included in the official army model, a second | | | | died the name of the company changed to "Victoria" in |
| blade, tweezers, toothpick, corkscrew, Phillips | | | | her honor. In 1921, with the introduction of "inox" (the |
| screwdriver, nail file and scissors. Others include a saw, | | | | French term for Stainless Steel) into their products, the |
| hook, magnifying glass, and ballpoint pen, fish scaler | | | | brand and name of the company became the present |
| that doubles as a ruler, pliers/wire cutters and a key | | | | Victorinox. |
| chain. The more recent features include USB flash | | | | In 2005 Victorinox acquired Wenger, the other official |
| storage, digital clock, digital altimeter, LED light, laser | | | | supplier of the Swiss Army knife. Victorinox intends to |
| pointer and MP3 player. Whew! | | | | keep both brands intact. |