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The Swiss Army multitool edges toward a knife-less future

By Michael Franco
May 09, 2024
The Swiss Army multitool edges toward a knife-less future
The iconic tool is surrendering its blade on some models due to the increase in knife-related violence
The iconic tool is surrendering its blade on some models due to the increase in knife-related violence
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The iconic tool is surrendering its blade on some models due to the increase in knife-related violence
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The iconic tool is surrendering its blade on some models due to the increase in knife-related violence

There are many models of Swiss Army knives, which can be equipped with everything from a flashlight to a seatbelt cutter. To date though, there's not a version without the tool's namesake knife. That's about to change.

Since the late 1800s pocket-tool maker Victorinox has been manufacturing pocket knives encased in a trademark red outer shell and filled with tools that go well beyond a simple slicer. Now however, due to pressure from rising worldwide knife violence, the company has announced that it will be releasing a version of its product that has no blades.

That's right, the company is going to be putting out a range of knifeless Swiss army knives.

“We’re concerned about the increasing regulation of knives due to the violence in the world,” said Carl Elsener, in an interview with The Guardian. Elsner is the fourth-generation CEO of the company, which is still a family-run business. “In some markets, the blade creates an image of a weapon. I have in mind creating a tool that would be useful for cyclists. Cyclists have a need for specific tools but not necessarily a blade. We already have a tool specifically for golfers.”

Elsner's concern seems to be well founded as, according to the UN's Global Study on Homicide 2023, 30% of all homicides in Europe in 2023 were committed using some type of sharp object.

In addition to rising knife violence, Victorinox told the newspaper that it is also responding to regulations being put into place at various venues and activities such as sporting events or other outdoor activities.

Then, of course, there's the fact that Swiss Army knives regularly get tossed in the confiscation bin at airport security checkpoints. For anyone who's ever lost one of their beloved tools that way, a bladeless version that can still offer up all the other utility would be a welcome addition to their travel toolkit.

While the company has been successfully selling multitool knives since 1897, it did see its overall sales slump by 30% after 9/11, says The Guardian, so this move seems to be one intended to read the writing on the wall and head off another hit to the business caused by rising knife violence.

There's no word yet on when the new bladeless tools will be made available, but with multitools of all stripe regularly blasting past their fundraising goals on crowdfunding platforms, we're sure whatever versions a well-respected maker like Victorinox puts out will fly off the shelves.

Source: The Guardian

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Good ThinkingMultitoolsKnifeVictorinoxSwiss Army
7 comments
Michael Franco
Michael Franco
Michael Franco has been writing about the serious and silly sides of science and technology for years for publications including Discovery Channel Magazine, Discover Magazine and CNET. By far his favorite home so far is at New Atlas where he's allowed all the beakers and Bunsen burners he needs in which to mix his words. The mountains of North Carolina, where he now lives with his wife and two giant poodles, offer the perfect foil to way too much screen time.

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7 comments
John2001
Seriously? I can understand having versions that are suitable for air travel; there is a market for that. But how many crimes have been committed utilizing a version of the Swiss Army Knife? As a cyclist, I would want a knife with the same tools as the blade-less version. Here is an example of another product withdrawn from the marketplace because we do not possess the fortitude to say NO to criminals.
Rick O
Nobody is likely using swiss army knives for weapons, unless it's an emergency. The real reason they have a sales problem is that there are tons of other options out there, all likely better at doing the job than the last Victorinox I used. Not to mention, there are a ton of junk alternatives people get for dirt cheap. I know it's only one model, but I think they will lose more sales due to bad press from this.
Frank
This: "To date though, there's not a version without the tool's namesake knife. That's about to change." is not true. They already have a knife-less model for sale on their site. When I thought I lost my mini a few weeks ago I saw this on their site.
https://www.victorinox.com/en-US/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Small-Pocket-Knives/Jetsetter/p/0.6263

It still has scissors which are pretty sharp. The main thing I use is the toothpick almost every day and the scissors can still be used to open boxes so it does have some usefulness.
Trylon
The silliest thing is how even the tiny models like the Classic with a 2-inch/50mm blade get confiscated at the airport. Good luck hijacking a plane with one of those.
Brian M
Its a sad comment of the times - Remember as a young scout you use to be trouble if you forgot to carry your scouting knife!
Uncle Anonymous
This is nothing more than a tempest in a teapot. Even if Victorinox were to eliminate knife blades from all their models, there are still a multitude of other multi tool knife makers to buy from. As for not being able to fly while carrying a SAK knife, it's 2024, get used to it. Remember, September 11, 2001? The weapon of choice was the harmless little box cutter.
Grumpy old front porch guy
If victorinox is worried about knife violence then why are they producing fixed blade field knives.
The reason for the sales slip is two fold. The huge market of multitooler tools, like Leatherman that do a remarkable job and the hundreds of cheaper variants of those tools. But the bigger problem is that when I was I boyscout several decades ago, a Swiss army knife was a must. They were also way more affordable. Today, even the simpler models are increasing in price that is not justified.
So the whole oh the world is scary line is bull. Also, other than OJ I don't see anyone pulling a Michael Myers with a Swiss Army knife. Heck if that were the case then why are they producing a larger version single blade folder, and a version for military use. Bring them back to affordable and you will see your sales increase. But don't muddy the water with some world edged weapon murder stat. Because I'm fairly sure the dollar general chef knife that costs 5.00, is more readily used and available that the 150.00 boy scout folder. Let's use some logic and common sense. Also, the air port guys are just building their own knife collections or they are putting them on EBAY as a bulk confiscation sale item.