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