Posts Tagged ‘swiss army knives’
A Tool Box In Your Hand
How would you like to have at your finger tips a pair of needle nose pliers, a wire cutter, an electrical crimper, a wire scraper, a wire stripper, a wire bender, a wood saw, a drop point blade, scissors, a can opener, a bottle opener, a (large, medium and small) screwdriver, a reamer/punch, a Phillips screwdriver, a chisel/scraper, a crate opener, a mini screwdriver, a ruler (cm and in.), and a seat belt cutter? All of the incidental tools are accessible without opening the pliers. It seems like you need a small tool box attached to your leg to avail yourself of all those tools.
I have just described a Multi-Tool by Victorinox.
“Multi-tool” is name given to a variety of products that are many functioned, all-in-one, hand tools that combine several individual tools in a single grip and made small enough to carry in a purse or pouch. The Victorinox Swiss Card is in essence a multi-tool. Some manufacturers have designed pocket knives with two or more incidental tools built into the knife.
Multi-Tool Multi-Tasked
Swiss Army Tool
“Multi-tool” is name given to a variety of products that are: portable, many functioned, all-in-one, hand tools that are versatile and combine several individual tools in a single grip. The Victorinox Swiss Card is in essence a multi-tool.
Multi-tools have been around for centuries. The Romans had a multi-tool that was probably used for eating. It had a pick, fork, spatula, knife and a spike.
You will find a plethora of styles and makers of the multi-tool, from the simplest Swiss Army Classic (knife, file/screw driver, tooth pick, tweezers) to the Swiss Champ that has 80 functions. Some versions are specific to sports, golf, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Victorinox have also added a flash drive to their multi-tool knives.
They were created to be small enough to be carried in the pocket/purse or in a pouch attached to the belt.
The type that has become synonymous for multi-tool is the Leatherman. It usually contains a pair of folding pliers with wire cutters and also has an assortment of other folding tools such as knives and screw drivers.
No matter the make or type of multi-tool you have, they are not intended for prolonged use. The grips are not very ergonomic and tend to tire the hand if used for long tedious work.
A Knife for Every Occasion
Ever since its introduction in the late 19th century, the Swiss army knife has been recognized as a symbol of utility and resourcefulness. As its name suggests, the knife, which is a registered trademark of two Swiss manufacturing companies, has long been a standard-issue military weapon for the Alpine nation. Swiss army knives became even more ubiquitous in popular culture in the 1980s.
The American television show “MacGyver” featured a main character who fashioned elaborate contraptions out of the most basic materials. He would often use a Swiss army knife to get the job done. Whether they’re used as utility knives out in the woods or for bottle openers on a Sunday afternoon, Swiss army knives remain just as practical today as they ever were.
The Genuine Article
If imitation is truly the sincerest form of flattery, then the makers of authentic Swiss army knives must be rather full of themselves by now. That’s because pretenders have been attempting to duplicate the look and feel of an original Victorinox knife for more than a century. The first genuine Swiss army knife was introduced in 1897. Since then, the company has released other quality knives for a variety of purposes including camping and specialty situations.
In order to properly identify a real Swiss army knife, look for the fabled cross and shield insignia. The shield should have five corners with a small dip at the top. And naturally the insignia should be white with a red background. For further proof, check the blade; the word “Victorinox” should be stamped there.