Swiss knife without a blade? Yes, it's happening

Campers, hikers, adventurers and thrill-loving tourists. A Swiss Knife tops the list of indispensable items for all of these and more. But the Swiss Knife is now to be out without its integral identity, the blade.

Victorinox, the Swiss company that produces the clasp knife, is now going to begin the production of blade-less Swiss knives in response to tighter regulations that govern the carrying of knives in most of the world. The company now plans to make folding tools that would not feature a blade. This, they hope, will still appeal some prospective customers such as the cyclists.

"We are concerned about the increasing regulation of knives due to the violence in the world," according to Carl Elsener, the fourth-generation CEO of the family-run company Victorinox, The Telegraph reported.

"In some markets, the blade creates an image of a weapon. I have in mind creating a tool that would be useful for cyclists. Cyclists have a need for specific tools but not necessarily a blade," he said. "We already have a tool specifically for golfers."

The company is reportedly in the early phase of product development. So far, the launch date for the new productis not out.

Elsener said in England and certain Asian countries “you are sometimes only allowed to carry a knife if it is needed to carry out a job or if you are in the outdoors”.

“Victorinox wants to counteract this trend with the development of blade-less tools for specific outdoor activities or sports,” he said.

In the United Kingdom, for instance, a person can carry a knife whose folding blade is less than 3 inches (7.62 cm) long. For the rest, apart from the kirpan carried by Sikh religionists, it is illegal to carry knife in public without a reason.

After 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US in 2001, the sales of Swiss Army Knives fell by more than 30 per cent almost due to the ban on sharp objects introduced by airlines.

“September 11th showed us that we mustn’t depend on just one sector of products,” Elsener said.

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Victorinox, based in the small town of Ibach in central Switzerland, produces around 10 million Swiss Army Knives a year. There are now around 400 types to choose from, including one that boasts 73 functions.

(With inputs from agencies)