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