Swiss Army Knife Maker Designing Bladeless Version Amid ‘Plague Of Knife Crime’

Photo 24521712 © Dio5050 | Dreamstime.com

For generations, the Swiss Army Knife has been the ultimate symbol of pocket-sized practicality. But with stricter knife laws becoming the norm worldwide, Victorinox, the originator behind the iconic red multi-tool, is taking a sharp turn. It’s developing a version of its legendary knife—without a blade.

Victorinox is facing a double-edged sword, and it’s not just about helping customers breeze through airport security. Knife violence concerns are on the rise, and in some countries, even a small blade can be seen as a weapon.

In particular, the company is reinventing the wheel, or pocket tool, in light of a sentencing last week in which Bristol Crown Court judge Mr Justice Saini had warned of a “plague of knife crime” after teenage rapper Mikey Roynon was stabbed in the neck during a house party. Roynon’s perpetrator, Shane Cunningham, was given a life sentence.

Global weapon regulations are also tightening. In 2023, a man in Osaka, Japan, was fined for carrying his Victorinox in his pocket.

Victorinox’s bladeless design is still in the early stages, but CEO Carl Elsener mentioned a tool specifically “useful for cyclists,” ditching the unnecessary blade in favor of bike-repair focused features.

The manufacturer churns out 10 million pocket tools a year, with 400 variations—but all have included at least one blade.

Adapting is nothing new for Victorinox. After 9/11, stricter carry-on restrictions purportedly caused a 30% sales dip. But it’s a company with a rich history, supplying the Swiss army and even NASA with its clever gadgets since 1897. 

[via The Guardian, Bloomberg, SWI swissinfo, cover photo 24521712 © Dio5050 | Dreamstime.com]