Victorinox

140 years, zero layoffs, everything made in Ibach. After 9/11, sales of Swiss Army knives collapsed (carry-on ban on planes). Victorinox did not lay off anyone. They had set aside profits from good years, temporarily loaned employees to other companies, and diversified. The Swiss Army knife is not just a tool, it is an ethic.

Karl Elsener was the fourth son of hatmaker Balthasar Elsener-Ott. After his apprenticeship in the cutlery district of Tuttlingen in southern Germany, he returned home and opened his own workshop in Ibach, near Schwyz, in 1884. He was 24. The official name was Messerfabrik Carl Elsener.

In 1891, Elsener co-founded the Schweizerischer Messerschmiedverband, the Swiss cutlers' association, and began supplying knives to the army. But competition from Solingen was brutal - German makers offered lower prices. Most Swiss craftsmen gave up. Elsener held on and absorbed heavy losses.

On June 12, 1897, the patent for the Schweizer Offiziers- und Sportmesser was filed. This is the Swiss Army knife as we know it: a second blade, a corkscrew, and cellulose-fiber scales. The Swiss army did not officially adopt it, but commercial success saved the company.

In 1909, Karl's mother, Victoria, died. He named the brand in her honor. In the same year, the Swiss cross became the logo. In 1921, the name changed to Victorinox - "Victoria" plus "inox" (French for stainless steel). The legal change was only completed in 1979.

From 1908 to 2005, Swiss army knife supply was shared with Wenger: Victorinox sold the "Original Swiss Army Knife," Wenger sold the "Genuine Swiss Army Knife." In 2005, Victorinox acquired Wenger and became the exclusive supplier.

The factory is still in Ibach. Ownership is 90% Victorinox-Stiftung and 10% Carl und Elise Elsener-Gut Stiftung - no outside shareholders, no investment funds. Carl Elsener Jr. (fourth generation, same name) is president, CEO, and chairman. 1,850 employees, 510 million Swiss francs in revenue.

Among enthusiasts, Victorinox is a total classic. "Inherited from my dad, still perfect after 35+ years." "My Victorinox Swiss Tool is over 20 years old. Best multitool made." Enthusiasts also praise Fibrox as the best entry-level kitchen knife: "Victorinox is really good!" A 1982 Spartan is still carried daily as EDC.

The Swiss Army knife has been to space. It is exhibited at MoMA. It sits in permanent museum collections around the world. It is one of the rare everyday objects that is both a perfectly functional tool and a design icon.