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A Swiss Army knife ('''SAK'''), ( or Multitool . Generally speaking, a Swiss Army knife has a blade as well as various tools, such as Screwdriver s and Can Opener s. These attachments are stowed inside the handle of the knife through a pivot point mechanism. The handle is usually Red , and features a White Cross , the Emblem Of Switzerland . The knife model that is actually used by the Swiss Army has a Knurled Alox handle, a blade, a Reamer , a blade combining Bottle-opener , Screwdriver , and Wire Stripper , and a combined Can-opener and small screwdriver. It originated in Ibach , Schwyz , Switzerland in 1897 , but despite efforts in the United States , the term is not a Protected Designation Of Origin and any knife can claim to be a Swiss Army knife.http://www.ladas.com/BULLETINS/1994/1194Bulletin/US_SwissArmyKnife.html The term "Swiss Army knife" is sometimes used generically to describe a tool, such as a software tool, that is a collection of special-purpose tools. The term "Swiss Army knife" was coined by US soldiers after World War II , as they couldn't pronounce its original name, "Offiziersmesser". FEATURES Various models of Swiss Army knives exist, with different tool combinations for specific tasks. The simplest model sold includes only a single blade. The most common tools featured are, in addition to the main blade, a smaller second blade, during assembly of the Lock . The standard full-size SAK is approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) long and 2 cm (0.75 inches) wide; smaller models are typically about 6 cm (2.25 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.5 in) wide. Thickness varies depending on the number of tools included. Although red Celidor SAKs are most common, there are many colors and scales available. Many textures, colors, and in fact, shapes are now popping up in the Swiss Army Knife. As of 2007, the most technologically advanced model includes a with a show room, Wenger is located in the Swiss town of Delémont with no show room. The Victorinox Cybertools {Link without Title} have many tools of use with computers and electronic equipment. In addition to the usual tools, including pliers and scissors, they have a 4mm hex screwdriver bit holder and bit case with 4 double-ended bits (8 ends); the bit-holder itself can be used with no bit fitted to turn the hex pillars often used to fasten chassis-mounted D-connector s in place. HISTORY Origins In 1891, Karl Elsener , then owner of a company that made Surgical equipment, discovered to his dismay that the pocket knives supplied to the Swiss Army were in fact made in Germany . Upset, he founded the Association of Swiss Master Cutlers. Its goal was simple — Swiss knives for the Swiss Army. Upon suggestion by his engineer friend, Jeannine Keller, Elsener began working on what became the predecessor to the modern Swiss Army knife, called the "Soldier's Knife". The original had a wooden handle, as opposed to the plastic and metal seen today, and featured a cutting blade, a Screwdriver , a Can Opener , and a Punch . This knife was sold to the Swiss army, but Elsener was not satisfied with its first incarnation. In 1896, after five years of hard work, Elsener managed to put the blades on both sides of the handle using a special Spring mechanism, allowing him to use the same spring to hold them in place, an innovation at the time. This allowed Elsener to put twice as many features on the knife; he added a second cutting blade and a Corkscrew . Karl Elsner used the cross and shield to identify his knives. The same symbol is still used to identify a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. When his mother died in 1909, Elsner decided to name his company "Victoria" in her memory. In 1921 the company started using stainless steel to make the Swiss Army Knife. Stainless steel is also known as "inox", short for the French term ''acier inoxydable''. "Victoria" and "inox" were then combined to create the company name "Victorinox". Victorinox and Wenger Elsener, through his company Victorinox , managed to corner the market until 1893 , when the second industrial cutler of Switzerland, Paul Boechat & Cie headquartered in Delémont in the French -speaking region of Jura , started selling a similar product. This company was later acquired by its then General Manager, Theodore Wenger and renamed the Wenger Company. In 1908 the Swiss government, wanting to prevent an issue over regional favouritism, but perhaps wanting a bit of competition in hopes of lowering prices, split the contract with Victorinox and Wenger each getting half of the orders placed. By mutual agreement, Wenger advertises as the ''Genuine Swiss Army Knife'' and Victorinox uses the slogan the ''Original Swiss Army Knife''. However, on April 26 , 2005 , Victorinox acquired Wenger, thus once again becoming the sole supplier of knives to the Swiss Army. However, on the consumer side Victorinox has stated that it intends to keep both brands intact. In 2006, Victorinox produced a knife, with 85 devices and 110 functions, to commemorate Wenger's 100th anniversary in the Swiss Army knife business. ''The Giant'' as it's called, is a novelty collector's item that is nearly 9 inches wide, and retails for about U.S. $1200 (See complete list of implements, p.4) . MANUFACTURERS See Also: Victorinox Wenger The two Swiss Army knife manufacturers, Victorinox and Wenger, together supply about 50,000 knives to the Swiss Army each year. The rest of production is devoted to exports, mostly to the United States . Commercial Victorinox and Wenger SAKs can be immediately distinguished by their logos; the Victorinox cross is surrounded by a shield with Bilateral Symmetry , while the Wenger cross is surrounded by a slightly rounded square with Quadrilateral symmetry. The two models supplied to the Swiss Army instead bear the Swiss Coat Of Arms . Numerous other companies manufacture similar-looking multi-tool folding knives in a wide range of quality and prices. A CHINESE SWISS ARMY KNIFE? In 2007 , the Swiss Government made a request for more knives for the Swiss Army for distribution in late 2008, however due to size of the order, WTO Rules that it open to all companies around the world, not just the native Victorinox and Wenger. This has led to worry by some Swiss Army Knife enthusiasts and some Swiss, that the knife may be made in China. 2 IN POP-CULTURE
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