Victorinox want slice of kukri market!

S

spiraltwista

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Nov 29, 2002
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Swiss knife maker takes on India

By Habib Beary
BBC correspondent in Bangalore


Swiss knife maker Victorinox is planning to tap into a traditional Indian market.

Victorinox hope their knife-making skills will be of use to Sikhs
They hope to sell the customary knives carried by Sikh and Gurkha communities in India.

A company representative said work was already underway to design traditional knives in the country.

Victorinox have started designing the brass and enamel-plated handles for the traditional "Kirpan" worn by Sikhs.

Anish Goel, who represents Victorinox in India, said the work is being carried out at a unit in the commercial capital Bombay, also known as Mumbai.

Encouraging

He said the blades for the knives would be manufactured in Switzerland.

Mr Goel said company officials have met leaders of the Sikh community in India and they have had an encouraging response.

"Our next target is the Gurkhas, another community associated with knives," Mr Goel told the BBC.

Gurkhas carry traditional "Khukri" knives and are known for their bravery.

India and the UK have army regiments named after this community hailing from Nepal.

"We are targeting a growth of 20% this year," Mr Goel said.

He said the company - best known for the production of 'Swiss Army' pocket knives - sold about 30,000 knives in India last year.

{from.bbc link ]

Spiral
 
They should make a deal with BirGhorkha, and at least provide a product that will be appreciated by the Gurkhas! :rolleyes: :)
 
of a red handled, INOX bladed, cho-less bent knife with a toothpick and tweezers in place of karda and chakma. I hope I'm wrong.

Frank
 
Well in the summer some Swiss kukri were made for the Nepal goverment to commerate the anniversary of the climbing of Everest by the Swiss firm Wenger who apparently won the contract, Victorionex also came up with a prototype but didnt get the contract.

So if The Nepali royal family/ goverment bought the Wenger ones, I guess those at least were good.

The Royal Kammi Wenger & thier kukku { :barf: } clocks! :D

I am certainly interested to see thier design.

Spiral
 
If the steel is the same as on their little pocket knives, they're in real trouble.


munk
 
I reckon you lose the magic when you take away the guy squatting on a dirt floor with a hammer. I'd be interested in seeing one of these Swiss Army Khukuries though.
 
Thats the truth Bruise, They wont be hand made pieces of metal art, But they could still be interesting.

I mostly collect ones of 80 years old & older {must have 10 or 15 ww2 or later ones though.} which were often even more hand made than the one of today but would still like to handle a swiss kuk & see what its about.

Its all good publicity in the end for kukris!

Spiral
 
this came up before....I'll have to search the archives to see what was said....
 
Depends on which/whose pocket knives you're talking about. I've had Swiss Army Knives from both Victorinox and Wenger, and my experience is that Wenger uses crap steel that doesn't hold an edge, while Victorinox blades are of much better quality steel. Also, Victorinox kitchen knives (I have a couple) are highly regarded and well reviewed. (Also relative bargains.)

-- Russ
 
Yep thats been my impresion as well Russ, but ive also had a few fakes that say Victorienex & are made of melted down coathangers.

Guess they may help give the real article a bad name, if thats what people have handeled.

A bit like comparing A HI or Tora to a lions head kuk, with torture knives & wirecutting slot. :eek:

Spiral
 
I just looked at both my Victorinox Swiss Army knifes, from different eras, and neither holds an edge very long. They are authentic. For cutting tape or string, or even surgery, I'd use them. But they are soft.

I have a German Eye brand pocket knife, two of them, actually, and they hold come hell or high water.


munk
 
Thats a shame Munk, they cost the same as a kukri sometimes after all. :barf:

I wouldve expected better quality.I wonder if you complained to them what they would say?

I am sure they can make to whatever spec. is required by thier consumers though.

They wont have the spirit of kami ones , but hopefyully they may make good users & help publiscise kukris which can only help , firms like HI & Toras sales in the long run.

long live the kukri! :D

Spiral ;)
 
I have been always very happy with my Victorinox knives. The Swiss have a great reputation for quality workmanship.

How about a 12" blade, with saw back on the spine near handle, cap lifter cho, black kydex scabbard, with built in pouch for mid size Swiss army knife?

Tom
 
I carried a Victorinox Swiss army knife (Camper, Explorer, and a camo one I got in Germany) in my pocket for... let me think... 20 yrs.?

They are well made. Sorry, the Wenger ones claim to be official but if given one, I would re-gift it at x-mas.

I did break one and was astonished... but I was trying to do something impossible- I just didn't believe it COULD break. I wore out several of these knives.

Can they mass-produce a khuk? Scary thought. Cold Steel thought they could. :D Possible, but again, the reason we are here in this forum is we likes the hand-mades.

I don't want a McKhukuri.


AA
 
I guess the Swiss will be aiming for the military market for both the British Gurkhas, the Indian Gorkhas & the royal Nepalese army as well perhaps.

So although they wont have the character of the hand forged blades, they might still end up bieng the true military issue kukri blades at some time in the futre.

It will be interesting to see what happens over the next 10 years.

Often When most countries have thier industrial revolutions , hand made craft goods become looked down upon & machine made identical spec. items become sought after, & I wonder if Nepal is just reaching that stage as thier Goverment/Royalty recently bought the Wenger kuks.

Personaly I prefer craft work in items like kukri.

Spiral
 
I'm a big fan of Vic. knives. The SAK is my second weakness next to HI khuks. I don't have a ton of them, but i'm never without one and always fretting over which one to take because i MIGHT need the tools on the one i leave at home. That's why I'm going to get an XLT like Dan's after i get my Christmas shopping done. Then i won't be able to leave anything at home i might need:) They aren't bulletproof, but they serve their fuction quite well. I generally lose mine before i wear it out.
However, as far as a Vic khuk goes...meh. I'll probably pass on something like that. It's the same reason i don't buy their kitchen knives. They just aren't what i like to use. In my circle, i'm known as the gadget/knife guy. I always have something to fix/build something with like a SAK or leatherman. When i'm camping I'm known in my circle as the big knife/cool knife guy that will take care of stuff when the SHTF. A Vic khuk with bells and whistles would not be any use for me. If i were out and about and needed a can opener or cap lifter, I'd already have one with my EDC Vic. If i needed a Khuk, then i'd have my khuk.
Besides, isn't Vic steel just a better grade of 440'ish stainless? I know it's better than 440, but i can't remember the steel name. I thought the general rule was that stainless pretty much makes a crappy chopper. Once again, i'm pretty ignorant to a lot of things. I have to admit, i'm curious to see what it looks like.

Jake
 
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