Tell me about the V'nox Soldier's History

Thirteenth Star · Oct 22, 2004

I'm interested in the history of the Soldier (all I know of it is that it's currently standard issue to the Swiss Army). When was this knife first made available, and was it originally commissioned by the Swiss Army? What other armies issue or have issued it? Is there an earlier version of this knife, and if so, what did it look like, and how old is the current version?

UnknownVT · Oct 22, 2004

Thirteenth Star said:
I'm interested in the history of the Soldier.
When was this knife first made available, and was it originally commissioned by the Swiss Army? What other armies issue or have issued it? Is there an earlier version of this knife, and if so, what did it look like, and how old is the current version?

Hope this helps -

Don't know what other nations may have adopted the Soldier -
but I have seen a post that showed the Royal Dutch Army had it as a standard issue.
(if you have access to SOSAK - the discussion starts on bottom of page 8 and continues on page 9 of this thread - but unfortunately the photo is not showing -
http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthrea...umber=347312&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=8&vc=1 )

You may already be aware that Wenger is the other (equal?) supplier to the Swiss military with their version -
Wenger "Standard Issue" (model #16520 )

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net

Thirteenth Star · Oct 22, 2004

Thank you.

BTW, is the first knife in the first picture the very first knife ever manufactured by Victorinox?

UnknownVT · Oct 22, 2004

Thirteenth Star said:
is the first knife in the first picture the very first knife ever manufactured by Victorinox?

No,
Karl Elsener formed his knife company in 1884 -
the first Swiss Soldier's knife was in 1891.

Karl Elsener's family firm was not even initially called Victorinox.

Victorinox is a combination of VICTORIA (Karl Elsener's mother's name) and INOX (stainless steel) -
that combination trademark name is supposed to have come sometime after 1921 when the company started to use Inox/stainless steels.

Although 1931 seems to be the earliest year I've seen of a "Victorinox" trademark........

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net

Thirteenth Star · Oct 22, 2004

Is that a crossbow on the logo?

Thirteenth Star · Oct 22, 2004

BTW, found this interesting info while Googling:

After an unparalleled success story around the world, the VICTORINOX "Swiss Army Knife" is even orbiting the earth as part of the standard equipment of the Space Shuttle Crew. The knife has also been successfully proven on expeditions: in the arctic ice of the North Pole; on the highest peak on earth, Mount Everest; in the tropical rain forests of the Amazon, and elsewhere. Time and again, it has been a life saver in situations of extreme danger and great need. The New York Museum of Modern Art and the State Museum for Applied Art in Munich have selected it for their collection of excellence in design, and, since Lyndon B. Johnson, US presidents present guests with VICTORINOX pocket knives.

Interesting. I wonder which knives have been given to which presidential guests.

UnknownVT · Oct 22, 2004

Thirteenth Star said:
Lyndon B. Johnson, US presidents present guests with VICTORINOX pocket knives.
Interesting. I wonder which knives have been given to which presidential guests.

According to Victorinox - Lyndon B. Johnson had 4,000 Classics made bearing his signature - the tradition was followed by presidents Reagan and Bush.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net

Frank · Oct 22, 2004

UnknownVT said:
According to Victorinox - Lyndon B. Johnson had 4,000 Classics made bearing his signature - the tradition was followed by presidents Reagan and Bush.[/url]

Bill Clinton tried to start the personalized condom tradition but it didn't catch on.

Sorry, couldn't resist.