The trademark used on Swiss Army Knives exclusively owned by two companies Wenger and Victorinox. Both have their origins in Switzerland. In the 1800s, the Swiss military personnel began carrying a folding knife.
The trademark used on Swiss Army Knives exclusively owned by two companies Wenger and Victorinox. Both have their origins in Switzerland. In the 1800s, the Swiss military personnel began carrying a folding knife. It was part of standard weaponry. Following the introduction of a new type of rifle, there arose the need for screwdrivers to assist soldiers disassemble the rifle. There was also a demand for knives that combined blades, screwdrivers, reamers and can openers. That is how Victorinox Swiss Army Knives came into being.
To tame the Swiss government’s reliance on German cutlers to mass produce Swiss Army Knives, Karl Elsener, a Swiss national formed a company that started producing what was then known as officer’s knife. The first consignment was delivered in October 1891. It consisted of twin blades and corkscrew. This company was called Victorinox – “Victoria” stood for his mother’s name while “inox” represented stainless steel. The name Victorinox Swiss Army Knives befits this status.
Before long, another cutlery firm, Paul Boechat & Cie emerged to challenge the monopoly enjoyed by Victorinox. Later, it was renamed Wenger and started production of Swiss Army Knives in the year 1893. Fierce competition ensured over lucrative Swiss military contracts. The government of Switzerland had to intervene. This was in an attempt to prevent friction between these companies and in the process obtain good prices for its army. In 1908, orders were split with each company getting an order. The story of Victorinox Swiss Army Knives did not end here.
Both companies continued with the production of Swiss Army Knives until 2005 when Victorinox fully acquired Wenger. Since then, the company has been known as Victorinox and Wenger. Manufacturing of these knives is still split between the two. Therefore, next time you hear of Wenger Swiss Army Knives UK or Victorinox Swiss Army Knives UK, do not doubt their authenticity. Victorinox Swiss Army Knives are the same quality components engineered in Switzerland.
How do you separate genuine Swiss Army Knives from imitations? On a genuine knife is a logo of a cross and a shield. This is to be found on the outer casing of your knife just slightly below off the center. The shield’s center is red in color with a white outline. At its middle is a cross in white bold color whose borders touch the shield’s outline. Victorinox Swiss Army Knives blades have the trademark stamped on them. Some bear the words “Swiss Made” and “Victorinox.”
Wenger Swiss Army Knives bear a logo comprising of a square whose corners are rounded. At the logo’s center is the same cross in white against a red background. On the blade you should look for these words; “Wenger Delemont Switzerland Stainless.” It is engraved at the point where the knife’s blade is screwed to the common pivot. The price of Victorinox Swiss Army Knives is in the range of $17 – $120. A Wenger Swiss Army knife is priced as between $13 – $100. Any offers outside these ranges could mean the knife is not authentic.
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