The Swiss Army Knife got its name at the end of the 19th century. It was not produced in Switzerland at first, but in Solingen, Germany, and later in Switzerland. Think about it, the Swiss government is so cute, it actually equips soldiers with portable gadgets. Although Switzerland is a neutral country, the chance of Swiss soldiers going to the battlefield is almost zero, but the Swiss use their thinking concept of not being the most expensive but the best, not the biggest, just the most refined, in individual soldier equipment. In fact, from the Germans during World War I The large-scale multi-function folding knives produced by the company, as well as the U.S. soldier's knife during World War II, all proved the practicality of this concept. Not only were soldier knives widely promoted, but the Swiss soldier knife itself also spawned several series from the expansion of military equipment. , has become the most practical portable tool known to every household. But the soldier's knife itself has not changed much.
Switzerland adopted the soldier knife as the official individual equipment of the Swiss army on December 6, 1890. The 1890 model soldier knife was officially produced in Germany in 1891. The handle used at that time was oak. , the functional components are basically the same as in the photo below: main knife, flat screwdriver, can opener, awl. The size is 10 cm in handle length, and the finish is low. In October of the second year, the production was switched to Switzerland, and the handle was replaced by hard rubber. It was not until 1951 that stainless steel was used, and a knife rope hole was added (so that the whole knife could be used as a lead sinker). For the inner arc blade of the line, the handle material was changed to bakelite in 1954. In 1957, the soldier knife produced by WENGER used modified celluloid, but ELSENER (today's VICTORINOX) has never used this material as the handle material of a soldier knife.
The soldier's knife after 1961 is completely different from its previous version, and its improvements can be said to be revolutionary. First of all, the knife shape has changed into the oblong shape we are familiar with now, the handle material has been changed to red aluminum alloy, the slotted screwdriver has a beer bottle opener, and the can opener has also been redesigned, and a small screw has been added to the tip. The shape of the screwdriver is basically the same as the current version, and the position of the screwdriver with the beer screwdriver has been switched. This revolutionary design allows the awl and driver to be opened and used at the same time when disassembling the gun. After the 1965 edition, the red color of the soldier's knife that distinguished it from civilian knives was changed to silver, and the Swiss cross pattern emblem we are familiar with was added in the 1977 edition. Since then, the Swiss soldier's knife has basically not been greatly improved.
Let’s take a look at the 1954 version of the Swiss Soldier Knife, made by Victorinox, with stainless steel functional components, stainless steel knife pillow, bakelite handle, nickel silver lining, and already has reinforced rope holes. .
There are not many opportunities in history for Swiss soldier knives to actually go on the battlefield with Swiss soldiers. As a soldier's personal equipment, the soldier's knife needs to be tested in war like other equipment.
The knife in the photo below was brought into the battlefield during War 1, and yes, it was rough. It is difficult for the Swiss who no longer need to fight to forget that precision equals life, but the Germans who emphasize reliability, practicality, logic and economy are not like this. So there was this silly, big, black, thick German version of a soldier’s knife.
But by the end of the war, its later versions were very different from it. The portability of a portable tool with a 5-inch handle is worth considering. In fact, its length was reduced to 4 inches in the later period. The black hard rubber handle was often melted in the war, so it was also removed. Functions such as the cork awl were removed. How many can be used on the battlefield? Rather than waiting for it to be incompetent and broken when it is assigned to its other purpose, it is better to simply streamline it.
To what extent was it finally streamlined? I don’t know why, but it was still there in the early days of World War II. Later, in the 1960s after the war, it was simply streamlined, deleted, and replaced with Swiss ones.
Need to decide the function
In the second half of the 19th century, European luxury style could be said to be at its peak. During this period, such as sterling silver blades, mother-of-pearl handle folding knives, tortoise shell Hand razors and the like are enough to make us, a group of extremely materially rich modern people, smack our tongues, and the same goes for multifunctional folding knives.
The ivory-handled folding knife below is used by glassmakers. The shape of the glass knife is not much different from the current ones. The putty knife has two notches for edge removal, and the tipless concave blade is used to cut the ropes that bind the glass.
When opening each blade, it is opened all the way. Unlike modern multifunctional folding knives, there is a pause when the blade is at a 90-degree angle to ensure the safety of closing the knife, because this century was not developed by the United States until the middle of the last century. CASE was invented.
The curve of the handle tells us that it was made in the Victorian period. It has a shield-shaped heraldic plate to distinguish it from a long name plate, because although its owner is a craftsman, But there is money. Because at that time, not only churches had colored mosaic glass windows, many nobles used this once sacred religious decoration method in their mansions. Therefore, due to the difficulty of processing, artistic requirements, and the identity of the customer, Glassmakers at the time were wealthy enough to afford Sheffield's sophisticated and high-end work tools.
After all, a product of an era belongs to the era in which it existed. The surface processed by Swiss watch milling machines with precision enough to compete with CNC milling centers is soft and smooth, which makes people understand why the British are arrogant. It forced the Germans, who are known for their rigor, to mark their knives with MADE IN GERMANY to show low-end quality. But daily practicality is, after all, the opposite of luxury. When that era dies, its products will not only become collectibles for future generations to admire, but their original excellent functions will also disappear.
Mid-18th century German multifunctional folding knife
The role of fire in human history can be said to be as immeasurable as the knife that is still in use today. For a long time, the tools used to obtain fire were the same around the world, flint, and carbon steel with a hardness of over 62. So some good people combined the two, together with the pen knife, cork awl, and awl, to form the earliest multifunctional folding knife in Germany that is best preserved in the literature.
The brass knife pillow, steel rivets, steel linings, and cow bone patches represent the typical style of the time.
Since it is a multifunctional knife, not pliers or something, a main knife is naturally indispensable. In my opinion, the knife shape of the main knife should be stable even after it is capable of various tasks. In other words, you may not be particularly suitable for a certain job, but you can do it. No matter what it has been cut with, after polishing and trimming, it should not change much from the factory shape. The tip of the knife is sharp enough, but not easy to break when piercing commonly used cutting objects. There is a margin on the belly of the knife, and there is also a margin on the base of the knife. Design styles and cultural heritage may vary, but from a practical point of view, as long as the purpose is the same, the shape will not change much.
A practical, multifunctional folding knife, not one to display in the window to display all the knife types made by the knifemaker, but also to throw in the bag for unforeseen needs. The functions must be the most basic and most commonly used. So let's take a look at what an ordinary German did every day 250 years ago, cutting meat, ham, bread, and spreading butter. These tasks determine that the main knife does not need to be too long, nor does it need to be abnormally thick. After using the quill for a period of time, it is necessary to re-cut the nib or make a new one, so he needs a flat-edged knife that can cut straight on a small wooden board. The tip of the knife must be sharp to open the ink guide groove for the nib. It would be better to make a round hole at the bottom of the ink tank. Firstly, it will make writing smoother. Secondly, it can also prevent the ink guide tank from cracking. He also needs an awl. At the same time, he also needs it when cleaning the machinery used at that time, such as firearms and boot spurs. Of course, the awl is also very useful for eye-piercing leather goods. Just because France has good wine does not mean that German grapes are not good. The Germans are not farmers who pair beer with their meals. The famous wine avenue may as well be a top producer, although he may be very dissatisfied with his cork cone. One end of the knife handle is very difficult to use, but I'm afraid there is no other way but to endure it. The modification to the middle of the knife handle would only be invented 100 years later by a Frenchman who was more obsessed with wine than he was. The back of the knife is used to make fire. Are you German? It's not a problem to deal with the heat treatment of steel and other things.
Now look back at the standard equipment in the theme post of the Swiss neighbor's soldier's child 200 years later, and then look at the 02 version soldier knife in my own hand, and look at what we have every day How much has my life changed in the past 250 years? I believe you can understand why I am obsessed with these old guys who are not as durable as powdered steel and tend to rust at every turn, right? hehe.
Since the high-hardness carbon steel on the back of the handle is not tempered to meet the fire function, it may be damaged if it falls on a hard ground. Fire is a necessity in daily life and is used every day. Due to severe wear and tear or annealing, not many multifunctional fire knives have been passed down to the present. A collector with a collection of 6,000 knives only managed to acquire 35 knives in his lifetime. Time flies by. It takes away a lot of past culture and classics, but it also leaves some traces occasionally. I don’t know if aliens have come or left anything behind. Earthlings have left behind I was very satisfied when I got down.
For the bottle-opening cone on the multifunctional folding knife, in the early days, a piece of acute-angled triangular steel was die punched, then heated until red and transparent, and the acute-angled end was freely forged into a thin strip, and then drawn. It is made into wire, then red-hot, and then wrapped around thick iron wire or large nails to shape.
According to the above-mentioned collector and alcoholic's many years of experience, the corkscrew made by this method is not smooth when twisting the drill. When pulling out, force must be exerted instantaneously. If you pull it out slowly and hit it twice, we will have a wire.
From the examples I have seen, the wood screw-like bottle opener that Brother BLADEMASTER mentioned appeared after the steam age. This kind of cone is fired to red heat and then rolled by a thread rolling machine. Not only is the strength greatly improved, but its acute-angled triangle spiral cross-section makes it easier to invade cork. Due to the large contact surface, sufficient force is applied when pulling.
Its predecessor was indeed modified from wood screws, but wood screws are the product of cold processing by thread rolling machines. Their threads are shallow and difficult to apply force, so after the mechanical equipment matured, the ones in the photo below appeared. alternatives.
The Origin of the Swiss Army Knife
The Origin of the Swiss Army Knife: Carl - the founder of the Swiss Army Knife
Shoemaker Balthasar Elsener-O His fourth son, Karl Elsener, was determined to become a toolmaker. So, in 1884, after completing his apprenticeships in southern Germany and Paris, France, he returned to Yixi Town on the banks of the Tuobao River and opened a knife workshop. Because there was no industry in the province of Schwyz (Schwyz) in central Switzerland at that time, many young farmers were forced to make a living in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In order to create new job opportunities, Karl Elsener initiated and created the Swiss Army Knife Industry Mutual Aid Association in 1891. The primary purpose was to unify the domestic production of the soldier's knives that the Swiss army had to purchase from Solingen, Germany. After a successful initial trial, in October 1891 the association produced a batch of military knives destined for the Swiss Army. Then because it was relatively heavy, Karl Elsener developed a lighter and more delicate knife. In addition to the main knife, drilling awl, can opener and screwdriver functions of a soldier's knife, it also added two small scrapers. and a corkscrew. This six-fold pocket knife with only two springs was named the "Officer's Knife" and enjoyed a product patent on June 12, 1897. In the short period after its birth, the Swiss Army Officer's Knife caused a great sensation, and there was an endless stream of buyers from abroad seeking goods. Since then, the Swiss Military Officer's Knife has begun its successful journey of continuous exploration and innovation for more than 100 years.
The birth of the "Swiss Champion"
Faced with more and more orders, the functions of the Swiss Army Knife were constantly improved, and soon wood saws, scissors, and nail files were added to the knife. , toothpicks, photo picks, metal saws with metal files, Phillips screwdrivers, keys, magnifying glasses and other tools, so that the Swiss Army Knife now has more than a hundred functions. Among the various military knives, the "flagship" is the "Swiss Champion" with 31 functions. Its production process has more than 450 steps and is composed of 64 independent parts. The total weight of the various tools of this knife together with the tool box No more than 95 grams (6.5 ounces), relatively easy to carry. The Museum of Modern Art and the German Museum of Applied Arts in Munich both have Victorinox’s “Swiss Champions” in their fine collections of industrial design.
Victory (Victoria) was dedicated to the memory of his mother
In 1909, after Carl Elsener’s mother died, he gave his Christian name Victory (Victoria) as her 's trademark. In 1921, stainless steel was invented, so stainless steel was made in Ibach. The word Inox was combined with Victory to form the Victorinox trademark that is still in use today.
Victorinox now has more than 950 employees. It is the largest industrial enterprise in the Schwyz region and the largest tool manufacturer in Europe. From 1945 to 1949, Victorinox pocket knives were sold in large quantities to special stores for the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force. This business made the Swiss Army Knife famous around the world. For American officers and soldiers: the name "Offiziermesser" was too difficult and convoluted, so they simply called it the "Swiss Army Knife." Now this name has reached universal awareness in English-speaking countries and regions.
World-recognized quality trump card
Swiss diplomats and senior military officials often present Swiss Army knives to the countries and officials they visit. In addition, the Swiss Army Knife has special appeal to pilots. In 1960, after American UZ reconnaissance pilot Francis Gray Powers successfully landed over Russia, the Russians made public all the items he carried, including the famous little red Swiss Army Knife; the Nigerian Air Force ordered a large number of knives with curved blades. When the situation is over, the Swiss Army Knife can cut off the rope tied to the parachute and escape; (Since the German army has also purchased this kind of Swiss Army Knife from Ibach since 1976, the Swiss "ten" is printed on the olive green scabbard. German Eagle); the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States has also ordered the "Swiss Army Knife" as standard equipment on the "Columbia" space shuttle. Therefore, the "Swiss Army Knife" is often copied in foreign countries such as Germany, France, Spain, the United States, Japan and China, but the quality is not as good as the real thing. However, unfortunately, many foreign replicas were printed with Swiss crosses. Although this situation was tried to be prevented through the mediation of Swiss ambassadors and court orders, criminals still added crosses to the sabers to make them look fake. Currently, there are only two Swiss manufacturers, Victorinox and Wenger, that are officially authorized to use crosses on knives.
Distinguished Quality Lifelong Companion
The quality of the Swiss Army Knife can be described in three sentences, namely "sharp, strong and durable". For more than 100 years, the manufacturers of Swiss Army knives have always been pursuing perfect products, from material selection (special high-quality stainless steel) to each process, from appearance design to overall combination, from traditional craftsmanship to the application of advanced technology, etc. Revealing their pursuit of quality. The steel selection of the Swiss Army Knife and the application of each tool or its part are carefully considered and designed. The sharpness and toughness of the main knife are well known, and some smaller tools are also amazing, such as flat blades. The quality of the material of screwdrivers and cross screwdrivers can be seen from the fact that the working part (tip) of the screwdriver is durable and not easy to wear. In order to make every Swiss Army Knife last a lifetime,? Businessmen not only retain some manual processes, but also apply a large number of the world's advanced micro-technology processing techniques.
In a sense, the Swiss Army Knife is no longer a knife, but a multifunctional utility tool based on a knife. This is the form that the Swiss Army Knife has had since its birth. . From the 6 tools of the Swiss Army Knife prototype in 1897 to today's knife, it can have more than 30 functions. Some models are also equipped with other practical tools outside the knife. Undoubtedly, multifunctionality has become another aspect of the Swiss Army Knife. It can be said that excellent quality and exquisite multi-functional combination are the two main factors that constitute the Swiss Army Knife. In today's era, due to the richness and ever-changing material life, people not only pursue the diversification of products, but also hope that the products can be multi-purpose. The Swiss Army Knife just caters to people's needs and gives a large number of functions to a small knife. Practical tools solve various problems in people's daily work and life.
Several common Swiss Army knives:
The "Climber" is the most popular Swiss Army knife among Chinese friends. The tools are the most commonly used. It is very convenient to have one in daily home life, and it can also be used for general low-intensity travel activities.
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Specifications: 14 functions, 9.1 cm long, 2.6 cm wide, 1.8 cm thick. Weighs 85 grams.
The "Swiss Champion" is the model with the most functions and the widest range of applications. It is most suitable for field trips, travel vacations, camping and camping, etc.
Due to its comprehensive functions and exquisite design, having a knife in your hand makes you feel like you have a real universal tool box, which can be used like magic to combine various applications when needed. It is an ideal equipment. It is also the quintessential Swiss Army Knife.
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Specifications: 32 functions, 9.1 cm long, 2.6 cm wide, 1.8 cm thick, and weighs 185 grams.
"Xiaoyaopai" is a good personal companion for men, with moderate size and functions, making it hard to put it down.
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Specifications: 10 functions, 5.8 cm long, 1.7 cm wide, 1 cm thick, and weighs 32 grams.
"Example" is the favorite of ladies. With a nail file, small scissors, and smart tweezers, you can easily repair nails and eyebrows wherever you go.
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Specifications: 7 functions, 5.8 cm long, 1.7 cm wide, 0.9 cm thick, 25 grams in weight.
Long history and cultural inheritance
In the history of world industry, very few commodities can endure for a hundred years and the vast majority have been eliminated by the wave of industrial development. The Swiss Army Knife is no exception. From the day it was born to the present, it has always maintained its original basic form. What has changed is the material, craftsmanship and richness of its own functions. With its durability and widespread use, it has formed around the Swiss Army Knife. It has established a systematic culture, that is, the Swiss concept is based on high quality, commonality and heirloom. The high quality of the Swiss Army Knife is just like our Moutai. Without high-quality quality management and durability, it would be impossible to form and maintain its historical status. Universality is another cultural phenomenon and characteristic of the Swiss Army Knife. Because it has It has a very wide range of adaptability, regardless of national boundaries, race, gender, age, or occupation. We can use it to solve many practical problems. In addition, its universality is also reflected in its wide popularity. In Western countries, the Swiss Army Knife is almost a well-known commodity among women and children. Thirdly, based on its high quality, the Swiss Army Knife can be used for a long time and handed down from generation to generation. It is different from other commodities and has its own cultural connotation. It is common for a Swiss Army Knife to be circulated for decades or hundreds of years.
In short, the culture of Swiss Army Knife is a high-level cultural phenomenon that has long transcended its essential attributes.