Swiss Army Knife Gets Funky

After years of Swiss Army Knives looking like, well, Swiss Army Knives, Wenger makers of the 'Genuine Swiss Army Knife' has shaken up the apple cart with the addition of a new shape to its range - the first significant design change to the Swiss Army knife in more than 100 years, they say.

The new Evolution Series is far more ergonomic than the traditional design with smooth, fluid lines designed to sit comfortably in your hand and provide optimum grip for - and we quote - 'cutting, trimming, tightening or loosening screws, opening bottles, or performing any one of the hundreds of things a Swiss Army knife can do.' The design took over nine months to develop.

"We've redefined the Swiss Army knife, drawing out its true design potential without losing what makes it one of the most familiar and recognizable objects in the world," said Thomas Schlapbach of Wenger Switzerland. 

"It was not a question of just making it nicer to look at, or inventing a host of new functions with varying degrees of usefulness: it was a question of making it into something we had somehow always wanted it to be without really realising it.  When you hold the new Swiss Army knife in your hand, you will understand immediately what we mean!"

The distinctive Swiss cross is now formed by an injection moulding process and so is a permanent feature within the handle. Overall we reckon the new design looks great; sleek, modern and bringing the design into the 21st Century.

The new line will feature six knives, four full-size (3.25") models ranging from five all the way up to ten tools, and two executive-size (2.5") models featuring a five and eight-tool configurations.  The suggested retail prices range from £11.95 to £25.95 depending on the design. 

Stockist information - Whitby & Co 01539 721032