The original maker of the Swiss Army Knife, this family-run heritage brand is known for its functional, high-quality tools and lifestyle goods.
ORIGIN
Switzerland
PRICE TIER
premium
Founded in Ibach, Switzerland, in 1884 by cutler Karl Elsener, Victorinox began as a workshop dedicated to creating jobs in a region facing high unemployment. In 1891, Elsener delivered his first soldier's knives to the Swiss Army, and in 1897, he patented the iconic "Swiss Officer's and Sports Knife." This multi-functional tool, later dubbed the "Swiss Army Knife" by American soldiers after WWII, became a global symbol of Swiss quality, reliability, and ingenuity. The company’s name is a portmanteau of 'Victoria,' in honor of the founder's mother, and 'inox,' the term for the then-newly invented stainless steel.