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The only genuine Swiss Army Knives are Victorinox and Wenger, but there are many fakes bearing the Swiss cross. The Swiss Army was originally issued with German knives from the famous blade maker Solingen. Victorinox started making knives in Switzerland in 1891. These were issued to soldiers, but officers bought their own lighter, more elegant models. Victorinox made its first Offiziersmesser (officers' knife) in 1897, and in 1945-49 massive deliveries were made to the US armed services. Americans couldn't pronounce the word, so they became simply known as "Swiss Army knives", and that was the origin of its worldwide fame. In a twist of irony, Victorinox since 1976 has supplied the German Army with its pocket knife, but it is olive green and features a German eagle instead of the Swiss cross. Real Swiss officers' knives are aluminium-cased. The familiar red ones are for civilians and export. And if it doesn't say Victorinox or Wenger on the blade, you might have a piece of American or Chinese junk -- the Swiss cross is no guarantee.

T.F. Mills, 09 March 1998