Swiss Army Watches Possession of Pride

The utterance of the word Swiss Army reminds you of the knife. Obviously so since the Swiss Army knife is one of the most famous item after the chocolates that initiated from that place.

However, there is a wide range of other Swiss Army products that the market gives us and hence the knife is not the only product manufactured by them.

A relatively newer product to hit the scene is the Swiss Army pocket watch. Although this product has been in market for quite some time now it is still new as compared to the knife. For some people the Swiss Army pocket watch has become a fashion statement while for others it is a passion.

Big stars of the 80s had used the timepiece in movies, which played an important part in making it popular. The possession of these watches had become more of a trend and fashion statement rather than a necessity. It had become an item of passion and an item of choice.

Simplicity rules

Time keeping is obviously the pivotal function of the watch. But it is loved for much more than its ability to tell you what time it is. Many people wear the watch because of the brand that produces it. The brand producing Swiss Army pocket knives is known for its practical, durable, stylish and tactfully engineered products. Hence it becomes a matter of honor and pride for those that own the Victorinox timepiece.

The Swiss watch stands shoulder to shoulder with the Swiss army knife in terms of its quality of engineering and durability factor. But unlike the knife which comes filled with all sorts of accessories, the Swiss army pocket knife is bare minimal. If you are into flashy watches then this watch will seem to be a tad bit too plain to you.

Being less complicated and creative, some people may not expend on these watches because they look neat and simple and not showy. However, they have great sophistication in there engineering and that gives it an edge over others.

Some people look for clean and simple watches which have a greater focus on its sophistication and engineering rather than its show and fancy dials with fancy knobs. What this brand does is, it tries to keep the traditional aesthetics intact.

The Victorinox pocket watch is available in a number of different styles today. The styles incorporate different materials as well. The market leader when it comes to Victonirox watch for men is the commando.

For detailed swiss army reviews, and latest updates about Swiss Army pocket watches click on the links contained here.

5 Promotional Swiss Army Knives to Consider For Promoting Your Business

Swiss Army knives are loved worldwide for their stylish appearance and user friendly functionality. There are many different types and those manufactured by Victorinox are some of the most popular. Here I would like to tell you about some of the options available to you for promoting your brand with promotional Swiss Army knives. It is worth noting since you may be purchasing these for your good customers that all of these pocket knives are backed by a lifetime guarantee.

The Escort Keyring Knife

This is the least expensive Swiss Army knife available. It is a miniature knife on a keyring yet is still has six features including a blade, nail file, screwdriver, tweezers, key ring and a toothpick. Printed with your logo and details, you can rest assured that your customers will have your brand with them wherever they may go.

The Classic SD Keyring Knife

The next step up is the Classic SD. This full size keyring pocket knife has seven features including a blade, nail file, screwdriver, scissors, key ring, tweezers and toothpick. It is only slightly more expensive than the Escort and the additional top quality are worth the expense.

The Spartan

This is the best selling knife and it is excellent value for money. It has 12 features including a large and small blade, corkscrew, reamer, punch and sewing eye, bottle opener, large screwdriver, wire stripper, keyring, tweezers and toothpick. It is really a tool set all wrapped into a nice little package.

The Swiss Card

You may have seen these before as they are very popular retail gifts. The Swiss Card is the same size as a credit card and it has 9 tools to help you through your day. The print area is larger than most knives because of its size. Purchase these for your customers and you will be giving them a letter opener, nail file, screwdriver, scissors, keyring, tweezers and a toothpick. Be sure to remind them to take it out of their wallet before boarding a flight, however, or they may end up in like me in a far off back room of an airport trying to convince three officers that they are not terrorists.

The Rest

I have told you about the budget options, now I will tell you about the other possibilities. There are Swiss Army knives for fishermen, campers, computer technicians, sailors, builders, electricians, you name the occupation, there is most likely a specialty knife for them. Ask you supplier to send you visuals of products that meet your individual requirements.

All of the promotional Swiss Army Knives mentioned in this article can be viewed and purchased online at http://www.compugift.co.uk.

Dan Toombs is Managing Director of CompuGift Limited, the UK's leading online supplier of promotional Swiss Army Knives and promotional gifts.

Precision Swiss Army Watches

The Swiss are renowned for their precision in the sphere of their mechanical labor and of course, their timepieces boast no exceptions. However, Victorinox became famous in 1897 once it brought to the planet the Swiss Army knife, way before the Swiss Army watches were born.

Victorinox was founded by Karl Elsener. Karl's aim was to create an item that would yield massive demand and additionally at the same period provide jobs for his countrymen. The Swiss Army knife made his ambition a reality; it became world famous such that guests of the Presidents of the United States of America have been given these knife as gifts.

At the moment in time while these quality knifes were enjoying the pinnacle of victory, Karl turned his attention to supply the finest wrist watch there is and so his magical handy work gave birth to the Swiss Army watches which are currently equal to the popularity of his knifes. Eventually, numerous models with unique styles were incorporated to the line of these famous watches. These watches with their decent looks and outstanding performance have made the Swiss Army brand a class of their own.

Both the knifes and watches though share the same famous brand and exceptional quality, the Swiss Army watches are a few steps ahead. And why is that so? If you look at the striking ladies "Vivante" collection, you will understand why. Whether these watches are on your wrist or elsewhere, they are simply stunning. You can wear them featuring in either a steel or leather band. Their dials are made of mother-of-pearl and the other expensive models arrive decorated with diamonds.

Entrepreneurs need to wear a model designed for flamboyant display. Their commercial partners and customers will hold a very good impression of them once they wear the "Ambassador" line of watches. For the sportsmen, the "Active" line of watches is ideal for them. Selected of these watches can operate up to 330 feet undersea.

There is something meant for each personality once it comes to Swiss Army watches. Every one of these watches comes with a 3 year manufacturer's warranty. One does not need an enticement to obtain this branded watch since it has built a history of trust and proven its superiority in quality which makes it a valuable time piece. You can't ask for something extra concerning a watch.

With its durability and charm, it has been one of the perfect gift that you can present to someone whom you really care about. It is furthermore considered as a sensible investment since its price tends to build up sooner or later. As a result, a smart person will not consider any other brand. Due to these magnificent watches, timekeeping has grown to be a beautiful art form and as you glimpse at your time piece, you will not be disappointed indeed.

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Swiss Army Time

In the 1890s Theodore Wenger and his Swiss-born, and very homesick wife, lived in the United States, where he ministered and preached the Gospel. His father was a pastor and Theodore was following in his footsteps. His wife, though, preferred her native country to the States, and even Theodore was less than enthralled with his line of work. His life's story would prove that he had talents beyond the evangelical.

Doubtless he hesitated at all when, in 1897, Wenger's father-in-law asked him to be the general manager of Paul Boechat & Cie, a cutlery manufacturer which had recently received a government contract to make knives for, among others, army personnel. Despite its historical neutrality, the Swiss army (actually the Swiss Armed Forces) was, and is, highly trained and valued in the country. The army is comprised of professional soldiers and a national militia. Within certain parameters, Swiss citizens are required to be a part of the military, and must maintain a reservist status until age 50.

Knives were standard issue for all military personnel, and so too were automatic rifles. To clean the government-issued rifles a screwdriver was needed. The cutlery industry in Switzerland was quite capable of making high quality knives, but lacked mass production capabilities. Germany, another country with a fine reputation for cutlery, provided knives to the Swiss government. Soon enough, though, a Swiss manufacturer developed better-that is, faster-production capabilities and became the country's first official knife maker, as known as Victorinox.

Paul Boechat & Cie became the second government-sanctioned cutlery producer, and Theodore Wenger, once he'd worked his way to the top, greatly expanded and enhanced the company's presence and its manufacturing capabilities over his forty some years at the helm. Wenger, as Paul Boechat & Cie would soon become, was located geographically in the French speaking section of Switzerland, Victorinox in the German. Friction, not surprisingly, ensued.

In 1908, to diminish tension between the two companies, the Swiss government allowed Victorinox to claim that it was the "original" manufacturer of Swiss army knives; Wenger could claim its product was "genuine." That is the distinction the two firms retain today, and of course they now both are at least as well known for their watches as for their knives.

What characterizes a Wenger watch is what characterizes all Swiss-made products: precision, precision, and even greater precision.

Wenger watches are characterized more by their utility and precision then by aesthetics. And yet many of their watches-for example the Wenger Men's AeroGraph Black Dial Black Strap-achieve a distinct visual appeal by virtue of their simplicity. The AeroGraph is manufactured to look dependable (because of course it is highly dependable) and that in itself gives it an aesthetic that is not too far from, say, a Bell & Ross, where also function embellishes form: simplicity becomes, in its way, ornate.

Notable other models include the AquaGraph, TerraGraph, and Commando.

The author is an avid watch collector and dealer and runs the website Fine Quality Watches: http://www.finequalitywatches.com/

Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman II Knife with AA LED Flashlight

A great gift for the outdoor enthusiasts on your shopping list or a handy set for your tool box, glove box, or utility drawer, you'll find many uses for the Swiss Army Huntsman II pocket knife and LED flashlight. Measuring 3-1/2 inches long, the Huntsman II is stylishly cased in the famous red Swiss Army body that's recognized around the world. More importantly, the pocket knife contains 14 tools appropriate for just about any occasion. The tools include a large knife blade, small knife blade, can opener, bottle opener, small screwdriver, reamer, sewing eye, tweezers, corkscrew, scissors, hook, wood saw, toothpick, and key ring.

The Huntsman II features 14 convenient tools.

Ideal for stashing in the glove box, utility drawer, tool box, backpack, desk drawer, or any other place imaginable, you'll always find a use for one of the Huntsman II's handy tools.

Huntsman II Tools:

• Large knife blade
• Small knife blade
• Can opener
• Bottle opener
• Small screwdriver
• Reamer
• Sewing eye
• Tweezers
• Corkscrew
• Scissors
• Hook
• Wood saw
• Toothpick
• Key ring

About Swiss Army Knives
In 1884, Swiss cutler Karl Elsener set up shop in Ibach-Schwyz, installing a waterwheel in Tobelbach Brook to run his grinding and polishing machines. Thus began what would become the international brand name Victorinox, a combination of Victoria, for Elsener's mother, and "inox," or stainless steel. Today, Victorinox produces watches, luggage, clothing, and, famously, Swiss Army Knives. The original product dates to 1897, when Elsener patented the Swiss Officer's and Sports Knife he supplied to the Swiss Army. Following World War II, American servicemen and women shopping in PX stores shortened the name to Swiss Army Knife, which lives on in English-speaking countries around the world and has become a metaphor for versatility.

Price: $90.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Victorinox Swiss Army Rambler Pocket Knife

From the renowned company that created the Swiss Army Knife a century ago comes the Swiss Army Rambler pocketknife, a compact set of tools for campers, hikers, boy scouts, and just about everyone else. Measuring 2-1/4 inches long, this version of the Rambler is stylishly cased in a red housing with the familiar Victorinox logo on the side. More importantly, the unit contains all the classic Swiss Army tools, including a small blade, scissors, a nail file with a screwdriver tip, a bottle opener with a magnetic Philips screwdriver tip and a wire stripper, a toothpick, tweezers, and a key ring. As with all Victorinox items, the Rambler is made to exacting standards, with dozens of steps going into its construction. Victorinox attends to every detail, from selecting the finest materials to performing the final inspection. In addition, each individual tool has been hardened in a different way to stand up to its designated use. The Rambler carries a lifetime warranty.
About Swiss Army Knives
In 1884, Swiss cutler Karl Elsener set up shop in Ibach-Schwyz, installing a waterwheel in Tobelbach Brook to run his grinding and polishing machines. Thus began what would become the international brand name Victorinox, a combination of Victoria, for Elsener's mother, and "inox," or stainless steel. Today, Victorinox produces watches, luggage, clothing, and, famously, Swiss Army Knives. The original product dates to 1897, when Elsener patented the Swiss Officer's and Sports Knife he supplied to the Swiss Army. Following World War II, American servicemen and women shopping in PX stores shortened the name to Swiss Army Knife, which lives on in English-speaking countries around the world and has become a metaphor for versatility.
Price: $29.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Victorinox Buddng & Graftng Knife - 2-1/4" -W/ Barklifter

Victorinox Buddng & Graftng Knife - 2-1/4" -W/ Barklifter - *Budding and grafting knife with straight blade with barklifter. *2-1/4 blade, 4" alloy lined red handle. *Weight 2 oz. *Stainless s
Price:

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Holiday Gift Idea - Personalized Swiss Army Knife

The holidays are just around the corner and we all know how daunting of a task shopping can be. If you want to make shopping an easy and enjoyable task this year, not to mention be done with it as quickly as possible, I suggest looking into giving personalized Swiss army knives.

In my own personal opinion, there are two types of gift-givers-those who give gifts to virtually everyone they know, and those who would rather give gifts with more meaning to fewer people. I say, why not both?

First let's discuss potential costs. The most basic (and most popular) Swiss Army knife is the Swiss Army Classic. By the way, all real Swiss Army knives are those made by Victorinox (or Wenger), as they have the trademark for the term. The Classic costs around $10 to $15 maximum. It is the one with the knife, nail file, scissors, tweezers, and toothpick-or, the most popular knife they've made. Add in some personalization and they can reach $15 to $20. For personalization of knives, engraving works best.

Now, $15 to $20, how much did you last giveaway gift cost? Did those gifts end up in their pockets or daily use?

We all know how handy a Swiss Army knife can be. Sure, because of its popularity, chances are people already have those. But does it have their name on them? Probably not.

If you think the Classic is a little to "cheap" for your taste, there are a number of higher end models out there and I'm sure you can find one that suits your target budget. Or, you could also, for example, give the Classic for peers, a higher model for friends, and an even more expensive model for loved ones.

Learn more about Victorinox Swiss Army penknife models from our site, Blade Blog.

A Treat For Your Dad - A Swiss Army Tinker Knife

It is your father's birthday, or perhaps you are feeling like being generous and you want to give your dad a token for all the hard works that he has done for raising up kids like you. These reasons make you search for a wonderful gift that you can shell out for your dad.

You totally want to give a little for your dad - something that will be of use for him but you don't have sufficient money in your pocket to buy something that is grand. In tough times where your pocket is always empty, it's hard to search for the best gift that can go with your dad without spending much.

In times of financial slowdown, don't think that it's not possible to find an ideal gift. What does every dad craves for? A pocket knife but we are not talking of ordinary pocket knives here because it is a present, it should be special. Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker knife will be the best gift for your dad this year.

Pocket knives are very practical device that a father who is always on the go would value and treasure especially if it is from you. Your dad can use it in opening jars, fixing cars, getting your gadget functioning again, spreading your favorite jam over your sandwich, and many daily random tasks.

Though this pocket knife has no screw drivers and scissors, this wouldn't be a major setback. In fact, more often than not, these extras just make the use difficult. Sometimes, these are only extra things that are often not usable in most situations.

Try to recall the times that it is constantly your dad who gives out presents for you. Wouldn't it be a sweet gesture to make if you will the one giving a gift instead? Even there is no occasion; you can always be thoughtful to your dad.

You can give more than a kiss to your dad. Giving gifts and shelling out money for a swiss tinker knife [http://www.timeplusone.info/a-treat-for-your-dad-a-swiss-army-tinker-knife/] will be definitely appreciated by your dad.

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Swiss Army Knife - Stories From Lovers of Swiss Army Knives Part 1

Swiss Knives Express offers a free knife if you send in a Swiss Army knife story that gets published or used on their website. Here are some of the interesting stories and uses that people have for Swiss Army knives.

Story 1 - R. Reyes from Keller, TX

I was raised in a non-knife family. The only knives in the house were kitchen knives and they were incredibly dull. Both of my parents were raised the same way. Neither one had a knife phobia, but they were wary of knives. So, when I was 13, I went to the local Target. I then bought a Victorinox Spartan knife and loved it. My dad, on the other hand, didn't. After a long discussion, my mother convinced my dad to let me keep it. By the next year, every one of my family members had a Swiss knife or multitool of some sort. I now have five Victorinox knives that are in rotation for my every day carrying. My dad thanked me for buying him one the next week after he used it to disassemble a chair at his office. I love SAK's and always will.

Story 2 - M. Ceranski from Phoenix, AZ

When I was about 10, my dad gave me a Swiss Army knife - well, it was a knock off, but I didn't know that! It's red and has a bunch of functions. I've always had it with me, but never really used it, unless we went camping. Then there was the phase I went through when I thought I could whittle a kachina doll! My dad had me practice skinning the outside of a branch to get to the wood inside - just in case I ever needed to know! He and my grandfather always carried a pocket knife, so it seemed normal to me. I'm actually expanding my collection - I have one Victorinox and one Wenger so far.

As a mom of two boys, for the last several months I have had my original SAK in my pocket: lanyard attached, and clipped to my belt loop. I've used it so much! Dad has cancer and is on oxygen now, so when we're out for an appointment and he needs a new tank, I use it to cut the tape that covers the holes on the neck of the tank. That happens several times a week. I also have found it very useful around the house - opening packages, letters, CDs, anything taped closed... the list goes on. My oldest son often says to me "Mom! Just get out your knife and CUT it!" I think the last time that happened was last weekend when out shopping for new shoes for the kids. He wanted to wear his new ones out of the store. So, I got my Swiss Army knife out of my pocket, wondered if security would appear, and cut the plastic that held the shoes together, and we checked out with the old shoes in the boxes. No one ever said a word.

Story 3 - Chris from somewhere in the USA

I was born in 1983. Once I was old enough to understand things, I started watching MacGyver and fell in love with not only the show but the knives that he used. The Swiss Army knife has become something I wanted for years and finally got one on my 12th birthday. I chose it myself, a Red SwissChamp. I treasured that knife and used it constantly.

Swiss Knives Express is the perfect place to select a Swiss Army knife for yourself or loved one: http://www.swissknivesexpress.com. Groomsmen Gifts - Gunther Gifts specializes in unique groomsmen gifts and wedding favors.

The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

Victorinox was founded by Karl Elsner in 1884. That year he opened his own cutlery business in Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland. Before opening his business Karl had spent time in Paris and in Tuttlingen, Germany doing his apprenticeship. At Karl's cutlery shop the grinding and polishing machines were powered by a waterwheel which was powered by the Tobelbach brook.

In 1891 the Swiss Army first received the soldier's knife from Karl Elsner and on June 12, 1897 the Swiss Officer's and the Sports knives were patented. Karl's company was originally the only supplier of Swiss Army Knives to the Swiss Army. In 1908 his company had to share the supply contract with Wenger. The companies eventually reached an agreement that allowed Victorinox to advertise the Original Swiss Army Knife. Wenger was allowed to advertise the Genuine Swiss Army Knife.

Karl Elsner started using the cross and shield to identify his knives in 1909. The cross and shield is still used to identify a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife to this date. This same year his mother died and he decided to name his company "Victoria" after his mother. In 1921 stainless steel was invented and the company started using stainless steel to make the Swiss Army Knife. Stainless steel was also called "inox" (the French term for stainless steel is acier inoxydable). "Victoria" and "inox" were combined to create the company name Victorinox.

After world war II American PX shops started selling the "Swiss Officer's Knife" in large quantities to American soldiers. The soldiers started calling it the Swiss Army Knife for short and the name has stuck.

In 2002 Victorinox took over the other Swiss Army Knife maker, Wenger. Victorinox has said they intend to keep both brands of Swiss Army Knives intact. The Swiss Army Knife by Victorinox is a standard piece of equipment for NASA Astronauts and the Swiss Army Knife has been taken on treks to Mt. Everest and the Antarctic. Currently Victorinox has five lines of products. In addition to their Swiss Army Knife line they have Household & Professional knives, Watches, Clothing and Luggage.

As you can see the Swiss Army Knife by Victorinox has a long history and is depended on by many people under the harshest conditions. Victorinox as a company has a long history of quality and that quality can still be seen in their products today. To see a large selection of Swiss Army Knives please visit www.swissarmyknifemall.com

Kirk McCormick has over 20 years experience in law enforcement and has worked with tactical teams. He has spent years hunting, fishing and camping in the Pacific Northwest. For additional information or to contact him please visit: http://www.SwissArmyKnifeMall.com

Authentic Swiss Army Knives - Don't Be Scammed

Wenger, the company that produces Genuine Swiss Army Knives was founded in 1893. In 1897 Karl Elsner first created the Original Victorinox Swiss Army knife. Since then the Swiss Army Knife collection from each of these companies has grown to include knives for everyday use, camping, multi-tools, specialty knives, executive gifts and more. The reputation for reliability and quality has grown along with number of knives available.

As with most successful products, imitators and copycats have arisen, producing cheap imitations of both brands of Swiss Army Knives, taking money from unsuspecting consumers and damaging the reputation enjoyed by the Swiss Army Knife. The "Swiss Army Knife" is constantly being copied but the original quality has never been equaled. Some of the foreign imitations have even include the Swiss cross. The application of the Swiss Cross was done to confuse the public and give the impression that they were dealing with a genuine Swiss Army knife product.

Do not be tricked into buying a counterfeit or cheap imitation Swiss Army Knife.

How can you avoid being tricked? Genuine and Original Swiss Army Knives are quality products, using quality craftsmanship and quality materials. First, look at the price. If someone is offering to sell you a new Swiss Army Knife for $10 when everyone else is selling the same model knife for $50, be suspicious.

To identify an Original Victorinox Swiss Army Knife look for the trademark cross and shield. The shield has 5 corners and the top of the shield has a small depression in the middle of the top of the shield, similar to the depression seen on many police and fire badges. The outline of the shield is white, the center of the shield is red and the cross is white. Look for Victorinox stamped on the blade.

To identify a Genuine Wenger Swiss Army Knife look for the trademark. It is an emblem in the shape of a square with rounded corners. The outline is white, the center of the shield is red and the cross is white. Check the blade to make sure it says - Wenger Delemont Switzerland Stainless.

Keep in mind, imitation, counterfeit and "just like" are not the same as "genuine" and "original". Counterfeiters are cheats and they very well may put a fraudulent emblem or an emblem that is close to the authentic emblem on their knife. If the price is "cheap" be cautious. If you want to get an idea of fair prices for Genuine or Original Swiss Army Knives visit: www.SwissArmyKnifeMall.com They only carry authentic Swiss Army Knives.

Kirk McCormick has over 20 years experience in law enforcement and has worked with tactical teams. He has spent years hunting, fishing and camping in the Pacific Northwest. For additional information or to contact him please visit: http://www.SwissArmyKnifeMall.com

What to Use a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife For

Many people use Swiss Army knives, but army officers use them, and they are popular among hunters, and even outdoor fan and survivalists. Its many use permit for diverse people all across the earth to take benefit of one. It's been known to rescue a person's life in the or even when they are trapped. However, people need to beware when they have one in their ownership. It still has a lot of hazardous pieces to it, but you ought to use it no more than when you need it to let down the danger of damage or harm.

It should always be well cared for. Dulling it out the it is makes the knife and the tool almost useless. You ought to keep it as well kept up as possible because you may never know when the time will come when you'll call for it. Because there are so lots of uses for them, there are several knives that can be a custom fit for the individual personality and skill of the end user. Flash Drives for the computer, screwdrivers for the carpenter, extra blades for the hunter, and can openers for the camper can be found easily on a Victorinox Swiss Army knife.

If you have or want to have this knife or are thinking about buying one as a gift, it is a wise thing to buy accessories for the victorinox champion plus and its inner tools. A leather carrying case or some kind of waterproof protective covering is the perfect choice to buy as a complement to this knife.

These swiss army knives are widely popular because of how tiny they are and the fact that they're easy to carry and move around. It's always amazing how many different uses a well made Swiss Army knife can have, but what's even more astounding is the fact that can be very durable under any severe or harsh condition. It is always a sound idea to have one or two of them on you often. You can never know when you can use a good knife and multifunctional tool.

If you are someone who enjoys hobbies and outdoor sports then you can learn more about victorinox swiss knife and other camping tools at my blog.

Review: 2GB SWISS MEMORY USB Victorinox

I've had Swiss Army knives on my keychain for years, it's come in handy on many occasions. Recently I always seem to have a USB flash drive in my pocket too. When I received the SWISS MEMORY USB Victorinox drive from Swissbit it was obvious that combining the two was actually a very good idea. The Victorinox is compact, easy to use and brings the usefulness of the Swiss Arm tools. The USB drive comes in a variety of sizes from 128MB to 2GB and is a plug-n-play (unless Win 98) device and price points range from $50USD to $225USD respectively.

The Victorinox is small and compact given what it's trying to accomplish. The unit looks and feels very sturdy and would handle plenty of pocket abuse, keychain banging and those occasional across the counter-top tosses. The Victorinox has a snapping clasp at one end which holds the flash memory in place. The clasp prevents the USB memory stick from popping out at an undesirable time and provides an aid in retrieving the USB connector when ready for use. The pivot end of the clasp can also be detached from the main chassis of the enclosure so the USB thumb drive can be disconnected. Although the rotation of the USB stick does provide enough room for those tight USB ports we all know about, the ability to quickly and easily disconnect the flash memory all together is definitely a bonus...and Swissbit knows this as it's a patented technology.

The USB Victorinox comes with the classic tools needed for everyday use. The tools include scissors, filing blade with screwdriver head, 30mm knife, ball-point pen, red LED light, keychain loop and of course the USB flash memory stick. Swissbit does offer a non-tool version for airplane flight but this review doesn't cover that model. The product is 60mm x 18mm x 19mm and weighs about 1.35 ounces.

Though the Victorinox requires no drivers for the MAC or PC it does come preloaded with software. The Swissbit data SecureLOCK allows you to encrypt and decrypt files and folders. The first time you use SecureLOCK it will walk you through a username and password setup along with a reminder question in case you forget. Once there, the SecureLOCK provides you the flexibility to encrypt the entire drive, or create partitions where they are "public" or "private" areas. SecureLOCK also includes formatting software to clean up everything but the encryption utility region (software takes 488kb of memory out of a 2MB partition), a bootable disk feature and repair utility to check for bad blocks.

We did run into a small glitch, if the SecureLOCK icon in the desktop tray is closed it prevents the drive from being ejected. Signing back in and logging off didn't do the trick, but rather loggin in and using the Exit button of the software did.

Performance wise, the USB Victorinox is middle of the road. In our informal tests of the 2GB version, it took about 6 minutes to write a 400MB folder of mixed file types from our PC to the device. It took about 35 seconds to read the same data back to our PC, but of course results will vary depending on the system running the device and the types of files being transferred.

All in all, the SWISS MEMORY USB Victorinox is a good deal for the price. It comes packed with the traditional tools we love about Swiss Army along with a wide range of flash memory sizes to match a users' needs. The SecureLOCK encryption software is a plus and the read/write performance of SWISS MEMORY is right on par with other products available.

Review by: G Mo

April 6, 2006

GetUSB.info is a USB News and Information website

permalink: http://getusb.info/?p=129

G Mo runs the GetUSB.info website which is a USB News and information website focused on products, gadgets and developments using the USB (Universal Serial Bus) technology.

The Victorinox Rescue Tool 53900 Swiss Army Knife Product Review

It's already won "Knife of the Year" IWA International Knife Award for 2007. This prestigious award is presented annually at the IWA & OutdoorClassics exhibition. The IWA International Knife Award has become a badge of international quality and innovation.

The Victorinox Rescue Tool is innovative and imaginative as you would expect a Swiss Army Knife to be. The Rescue Tool arrived after five years of collaboration between Victorinox and emergency medical and rescue personnel. Extensive research, field testing and refinement have resulted in a product will be used to save countless lives.

You don't even need to be a fire fighter, emergency medical technician, or law enforcement officer to appreciate this new lockblade knife. The Rescue Tool comes with a bright red and yellow nylon case that has a wide belt loop that fits most belts. The sides of the knife body itself are luminescent yellow and hard to miss when out of its carrying case.

The most impressive use of the Rescue Tool is the ability to go right through shatter-proof glass found on cars. The window breaker tool is a tiny nub that can pack a powerful punch. This small tip allows a rescue worker to make three to four good hits on a car windshield. Then the disc saw tool can be poked through the glass to begin the "sawing" of the glass. A large area of a windshield can be safely removed for easy access to a person trapped inside a car when it is not possible to quickly go through the usual car door.

A rounded seatbelt cutter is included which can be used to cut right through seatbelts if need be. Most tools that are necessary for quick thinking and immediate action can be accessed while wearing gloves. Both left-handers and right-handers will find this to be a comfortable multitool to use.

Overall, the Rescue Tool is a good choice of tool to keep in your car glove compartment in case of emergency. A great new twist on an old favorite - the Swiss Army Knife!

Lisa Gunther is a freelance writer and product reviewer. Swiss Knives Express is the perfect place to select a Swiss Army knife for yourself or loved one: http://www.swissknivesexpress.com The Rescue Tool for your car, or a Classic for your keychain, you can find them all at Swiss Knives Express which carries hundred of knives by Victorinox. Victorinox also has a new line of travel gear.

Swiss Army Knife - Is it Genuine Or Original?

Can you imagine a little red pocket knife with 87 tools and 141 different functions? How about another knife from the same manufacturer that holds the Guiness Book of Records recognition of 314 blades? How about a novelty knife by the same company that within it's 9 inch thick case holds 85 tools and is able to perform 110 functions? Who in their wildest imagination could possibly conceive of or have the knowledge and skill to produce these kinds of knives? Well actually the firm that produced those unusual knives produces over 34,000 knives a day.

Certainly most of them do not contain these record breaking number of tools but still remain one of the most respected utility tools built in a pocket knife. And to prove their worth and value the company has been around for over 100 years.

It all started back in 1891 when Carl Eisner was bothered by the fact that the standard knife used by the Swiss army was actually manufactured in Germany. His nationalism took hold and he decided to produce the Swiss army knife in Switzerland. The first version had wooden handles and included a knife blade, screw driver and can opener and in a later version held two blades.His company was and is the Victorinox firm.

The genius of the Swiss Army knifes ability to hold so many tools in later versions was possible because Eisner devised a method to add blades to both sides of the pocket knife. This required a specially designed spring. Using this new spring and the double sided approach his knives soon carried a nail file, toothpick, tweezers, scissors, can opener, leather punch and screwdriver and a number of blades. Current versions of these knives have red aluminum handles and are emblazoned with the cross-and-shield emblem, and the words SWISS ARMY on every knife.

In 1893 Eisner's company Victorinox lost it's monopoly of producing these knives for the Swiss army. To try to impose competition and possibly lower prices the Swiss government split it's knife contract between Victorinox and a second company called Wenger. The companies devised a method to determine which company made a particular knife. Wenger advertised as the Genuine Swiss Army Knife and Victorinox used the slogan the Original Swiss Army Knife

One of the more popular knives favored by the U.S. military is the Swiss Officers Knife. The Swiss name is "Schweizer Offiziersmesser". This was too much of a mouth full for American military personnel who began calling these knives the "Swiss army knife". The name stuck and is known worldwide. In April of 2005 Victorinox purchased the Wenger company and once more became the sole supplier of knives to the Swiss Army.

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A Short History of the Swiss Army Knife

The story begins in 1891 with Karl Elsener, owner of a company that made surgical equipment. He founded the Association of Swiss Master Cutlers, to supply pocket knives to the Swiss army, who at this time were using German-made ones. It took Elsener five years to come up with what he called the "Soldier's knife" (known today in Switzerland as the "Offiziersmesser"). With suggestions from an engineer friend, Jeannine Keller, the original model had a wooden handle, and came with a blade, screwdriver, can opener, and a punch. It was actually made available to the army before 1896, but Elsener was not happy with the device, and eventually was able to put blades on both sides by using a special mechanism using a single spring for both blades. This allowed him to also add a corkscrew.

Elsener's company, Victorinox, was the single supplier of multi-function pocketknives until 1893. A company in the French-speaking area of Switzerland called Paul Boechat & Cie began to market a similar product. The company was later bought by its general manager, Theodore Wenger, and the company name changed to Wenger. By 1908, the Swiss government decided to split the contract for knives between the two companies, partly to appease German and French-speaking factions in the country, and partly to stimulate competition (and lower the prices of the knives). The two companies came to an agreement over marketing, with Victorinox using the phrase "The Original Swiss Army Knife" and Wenger using "The Genuine Swiss Army Knife". The following year (1909), the Swiss army began decorating the knives with the Swiss national symbol (a white cross). Victorinox uses a shield with bilateral symmetry around the cross, while Wenger uses a slightly rounded square with quadrilateral symmetry. The Swiss army uses knives with a simpler bilaterally-symmetric shield.

Victorinox switched to stainless steel blades and tools in 1921. It is believed Wenger did so as well around the same time, but company sources are inconclusive about the exact date. The knives were sold in PX stores on US army bases from 1945 to 1949. In fact it is believe that the term "Swiss Army Knife" was coined in English by American G.I.s during World War II, because they couldn't pronounce the Swiss name "Offiziersmesser".

Today, Swiss army knives contain a multitude of tools, including: several blades, a bottle-opener/screwdriver/wire stripper, can opener/small screwdriver, tweezers, toothpick, corkscrew, phillips-head screwdriver, nail file, scissors, saw, hook, magnifying glass, ballpoint pen, fish scaler, pliers, keychain, USB flash memory, digital clock, digital altimeter, LED light, laser pointer mp3 player, and a brass spacer in the official army model, which allows assembly of the SIG 550 and SIG 510 assault rifles (with the screwdriver and reamer extended, the knife becomes a restraint to the firing pin during the lock assembly). Wenger has a special model which contains all the tools they make. The device is nearly twice as wide as it is long, and retails for around $1,200.

The knives are also available in many other colors besides the traditional red. Black, blue, white, pink, camouflage, phosphorescent yellow and many others, in both opaque or transparent. Also metal and wood cladding. The model actually used by the Swiss army is in fact aluminum, and not red at all.

On April 26, 2005, Victorinox acquired the Wenger company, becoming again the single supplier of knives to the Swiss army. The company intends to keep the Wenger brand alive for knives sold to consumers.

Michael Carpenter operates a website that sells Swiss Army Knives: http://www.armyknifeswiss.com

Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

Many people use the excellent multitools offered by Leatherman, Gerber etc. What seems to have less publicity nowadays are the Victorinox series pocket knifes. I have used some kind of a Victorinox pocket knife for over 25 years now, and they have been working great. I have also used multitools occasionally, but my experience is mostly from the Swiss Army Knifes.

What is so great about pocket knifes or multitools is that they save time if you need to do something small. Don't have to go look for the screwdriver, knife, bottle opener, can opener, pliers, scissors etc. If I wouldn't have my Victorinox, I probably wouldn't have anything useful with me, at least when traveling.

Victorinox has some options that few or none of the multitools have, as far as I know, but I haven't seen all of them. Features like magnification lens, ballpoint pen, detachable screwdriver, integrated lighter, clock, compass etc. Not all in one of course but you're likely to find the right combination as there are many models.

My model is the Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus Pocket Knife. It has been in use for well over a decade and everything is in good order, I have occasionally washed and then lubricated the joints. The trick here is not to buy a cheap copy product, they will - not - last. They simply start to disintegrate over time,and their blades do bend easily.

When traveling or touring or camping, this kind of a tool is an excellent space saver, lots of small duty tools in one package.

What is especially good about the model I have, is the wood saw. It looks small, perhaps, but it is sharp as something that is really sharp. It can be used to take down a two inch thick (or less) tree trunk, by sawing a V-shape on it. It takes a little time but its doable. An inch or less, it can saw straight through it.

Also the basic knife blade is very good, it is sharp and the material is excellent. It has taken well over a decade of abuse and is still in perfect order.

Phillips screwdriver in Victorinox is very good, it wont spoil the base of the screw itself when turning.

Multitools have an advantage on the pliers, they are not very powerful on the Victorinox. Multitools can use their whole structure as a handle for the pliers, not so with the Victorinox.

Overall, all Victorinox blades (knife, saw, scissors etc) have very sharp edges, they can really honestly be used to do something. Hard to say whick I would buy for new, a multitool or a Swiss Army Knife. Should maybe have both.

Teemu - http://www.thesportsterblog.com

Swiss Knife - Then Until Now

Travel back to 1891 where Karl Elsener was still the owner of a company that manufactures surgical equipment. It was during that time that he then learned that pocket knives supplied to the Swiss Army was manufactured from Germany. So in the eye of nationalism, he then manufactured a knife that has four important features - a cutting blade, a screw driver, a can opener and a punch and supplied it to the Swiss Army. Thus, the name Soldier's Knife was derived.

And in 1897, an additional two functions has been added and Soldier's Knife became the Officer's Knife. It was also during that year that the symbolic Swiss cross was added to the body. And from then on, the knife became a legacy - not just in Karl Elsener's family but to the whole world as well.

The Swiss knife's earliest task was to aid soldiers in their life at the jungle. They are used to saw wood, aid in gun sighting, open canned products and cut cheese. American soldiers first saw this red-handled, multipurpose tool from German prisoners of war. And, it was after the Second World War that Swiss Knife gained worldwide attention and also the advent of a more multipurpose use. Soldiers coming home to America bought this knife as presents to their friends and family back home. From then on, the knife served as a dependable partner to various expeditions in North Pole, South Pole, Mount Everest, Amazon jungle and even to the outer space! The knife also serves as a unique present from the President to dignitaries visiting the White House.

But Karl Elsener's creation did not rise to fame in just an instant. Through his company Victorinox, he hurdled the competitions like the army turning to Germans in mass producing the knife and a new company (Wenger) opening up, manufacturing and selling the same product. But with hard work and a cunning attitude, his company ended supplying knives for the draftees and eventually acquiring Wenger.

And today, as the world evolves, the endeared knife made a transformation of its own. In addition to the known features, the Swiss knife now has additional features of blunt-tipped children's knife, a USB key and a "cyber tool" to fix computers. This has indeed come a long way. Same can be said to another type of knife - the bowie knife. Today, you can have a custom bowie knife, suited for your needs and a military bowie knife that is a perfect partner for the Swiss knife.

Gerald Shaw is a voracious reader. Maybe that's why he writes so well.

Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Swiss Memory USB Thumb Drive With Laser- Product Review

Just when you think Victorinox has done everything possible to a Swiss Army Knife, they throw in a surprise. Now you can have a Swiss Army Knife that has a laser beam on it. The red laser allows for 70 foot visible range and 300 foot visible range in complete darkness. It has self-regulating built-in circuitry to allow for maximum output with minimum power usage.

We all know that Swiss Army stands for ingenuity and quality at a fair price. Victorinox is a name brand that you can trust as it has been around for 100 years. Swiss Army Brands have already fascinated the public with all the useful features they use on their knives: saws, files, knives, pens, scissors, toothpick, tweezers, seatbelt cutters, bits, can openers, Phillips screwdriver tips, pliers, pins, orange peelers, hooks, clocks, reamers, LED lights, and such.

In the last few years digital readouts have become available that give readouts of temperature, altitude, time, and even an alarm clock. Models to check out are the Voyage and Traveller. Two years ago they came up with the built-in Swiss Memory stick in which you can transfer files to and from your computer by plugging it into your usb port. A Victorinox MP3 player with AM/FM radio has also joined their high tech lineup of pocketknives. Incredible. And you thought they just made quaint little red pocket knives.

The new for 2007 Swiss Memory by Victorinox Swiss Army Brands has come up with a multitool that has a laser beam that is actuated by a button on the body of the multitool and has the following features: a memory stick in either 1 GB or 2 GB, a keyring, and is airport friendly. Versions are also available that have the typical small knife blade, scissors, and nail file with screwdriver tip.

If you like old-fashioned Swiss Army Knives, you're sure to love their high tech cousin: the Swiss Memory Laser. Imagine the wow factor when you pull this baby out of your pocket. Your friends will be amazed and think you are on the cutting edge of cool.

Lisa Gunther is a freelance writer and product reviewer. Swiss Knives Express is the perfect place to select a Swiss Army knife for yourself or loved one: http://www.swissknivesexpress.com