As an icon of the culture of Switzerland, both the design and the versatility of the knife have worldwide recognition. In 1893, the Swiss cutlery company Paul Boéchat & Cie, which later became Wenger SA, received its first contract from the Swiss military to produce model 1890 knives the two companies split the initial contract for provision of the knives and operated as separate enterprises from 1908. Originating in Ibach, Switzerland, the Swiss Army knife was first produced in 1891 when the Karl Elsener company, which later became Victorinox, won the contract to produce the Swiss Army's Modell 1890 knife from the previous German manufacturer. Other colours, textures, and shapes have appeared over the years. The handle is traditionally a red colour, with either a Victorinox or Wenger 'cross' logo or, for Swiss military issue knives, the coat of arms of Switzerland. These are folded into the handle of the knife through a pivot point mechanism. The Swiss Army knife generally has a drop-point main blade plus other types of blades and tools, such as a screwdriver, a can opener, a saw blade, a pair of scissors, and many others. The term 'Swiss Army knife' was coined by American soldiers after World War II after they had trouble pronouncing the German word ' Offiziersmesser', meaning ' officer’s knife'. The Swiss Army knife is a pocketknife, generally multi-tooled, now manufactured by Victorinox. Since 2013, the knives of Wenger are integrated in Victorinox.

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