Nail scissors, screwdriver and bottle opener in one: the multifunctional Swiss army knife will delight generations. Now the Swiss are shaking up an icon.
Everyone knows it – but the ‘regulation craze’ is now apparently bringing the long-legendary Swiss Army knife to its knees. As the traditional company Victorinox announces, its bestseller will be defused. The multifunctional instrument, which was developed at the end of the 19th century for the federal armed forces, began its triumphal procession around the world. In addition to a blade, the knife has many practical gadgets such as cork and screwdrivers, nail scissors, a bottle and can opener and even tweezers. And so the multifunctional tool thrilled generations.
Blade interpreted as a weapon, not a tool
But one element is now being put to the test: the small knife blade! As company boss Carl Elsener explained in an interview with the Swiss “Blick”, the tool has had a “weapon image” for a long time. In large parts of the world, the Swiss knife is now seen as a possible weapon rather than a practical tool. That is why we are now working on a model without a blade.
Austria is also currently discussing a general ban on weapons in public spaces. At the same time, a weapons ban zone was recently declared at the focal point of Reumannplatz in Vienna-Favoriten: the focus is on the potential danger of an object. This means: A Swiss knife can be confiscated by the police, with or without a blade.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
