Identifying a Swiss Army knife can be like unraveling the mystery of the century! However, with the right tools, knowledge, and a bit of detective work, you too can tackle this woolly mammoth of a puzzle and solve the Swiss Army knife mystery.
Heard of Victorinox?
The classic, iconic Swiss Army knife is manufactured exclusively by the Victorinox company, so it’s wise to begin your investigation by familiarizing yourself with Victorinox brand products. Victorinox is the only supplier of the original Swiss Army knife and is still based in Ibach, Switzerland. It has been around since 1891 when Carl Elsener founded the Victorinox Workshops. Not only will Victorinox provide informational reference points along the way, but it is where you will need to go if you need to replace parts or repair your Swiss Army knife.
Tip #1: Check for the Victorinox Logo
It isn’t a Swiss Army knife if it doesn’t have the Victorinox logo marked on it. However, as times have changed, so too have some Victorinox knife designs. Some knives manufactured by the same company might not necessarily have the recognizable Victorinox logo inscribed on them. Check for a reference either to the iconic Swiss Army or to Victorinox, as this will confirm that the knife is in fact a Swiss Army knife. Just don’t try to light it up with a magnifying glass to read it, Sherlock!
Tip #2: Differentiate Between Classic and Modern Designs
Swiss Army knives come in a wide variety of models and sizes, and therefore at times it can be challenging to determine which model you have, even if already familiar with the product. To make things less daunting, start by getting an overall sense of whether the knife design is classic, i.e. was manufactured before 1997, or modern, i.e. post 1997. The classic Swiss Army knives feature the original Victorinox logo on one side, while the modern ones include both the Victorinox logo and a side showcasing the Swiss cross emblem.
Tip #3: Become Familiar with Knife Features
One step towards understanding a particular model of Swiss Army knife is to become familiar with its specific features. Check both sides of the blade to see if there is any writing that features the model number or useful features, i.e. “large”. Take time to examine which tools and features it has, for example, how many tools it contains, the type of tools it has, (i.e. scissors, toothpick, ballpoint pen) a keyring, or a corkscrew opener. This might help you to determine the exact model type you have in hand.
Tip #4: Take Note of Blade Length
When it comes to size and model variants, there can be approximately 80 Swiss Army knives that vary in length, color, number of tools, and tool specifications. Therefore, visually take note of both the overall length and the length of the blade, as this is the main factor to be considered when identifying a Swiss Army knife. Smaller folding knives have a blade length of around 2.5 inches while larger folding knives can have a blade length of 4.25 inches or more.
Tip #4: Reference Pins, Liners, Bolsters, or Scales
Although referencing pins, liners, bolsters, or scales help to identify a knife, it is only for the more experienced Swiss Army knife enthusiast since it requires an understanding of Victorinox’s internal knife construction that dates back to 1897. This is largely used to separate different generations of knives or for knife enthusiasts looking for older knife models.
Identifying and understanding the different aspects of a Swiss Army knife can sometimes feel rather overwhelming. But with the help of this 5-step guide, you now have the tools necessary so you can determine what type of Swiss Army knife you’re dealing with…like a total knife ninja. So, go out there and start your detective toolkit today – or, in this case, your Swiss Army knife toolkit.