What's a Swiss Army Knife without the knife? Just a Swiss Army? Well, consumers will soon find out as the producer is ditching its trademark knife. It is at least on several new multi-tools. Rather than getting rid of its traditional multi-tools altogether, Victorinox, the Swiss producer behind the multitool, is launching new products minus the knife.
The multi-tool producer made a splash this week by announcing its removing its knife on a new line of products. The news comes after a rise in knife crime in the United Kingdom. The company said it wanted to address the ban on knives in a number of countries by creating its first bladeless products.
"We are in the early stages of developing pocket tools without blades," a spokesperson for Swiss firm Victorinox told CNN. It won't be replacing traditional multitools, the producer stressed. "With innovation at the core of our brand, we are constantly listening to our consumers and their needs; and acknowledge that there is an appetite for the functionality, versatility, and craftsmanship the Swiss Army Knife is known for in more specialized fields and situations," said the spokesperson.
The company is concerned about the rise in crime. "We're concerned about the increasing regulation of knives due to the violence in the world," said Carl Elsener, the fourth-generation CEO of the family-run company.
Elsener continued, "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. We already have a tool specifically for golfers."
Consumers Are Perplexed By Swiss Army Knife Annoucement
However, the news went over like a lead balloon online. Many are confused by the company's direction. I mean pretty much anything can be a weapon in the wrong hands, right?
One person wrote, "I have one of my Swiss Army Knives in a pocket every day. It's a tool, not an offensive weapon. Alas, in the eyes of the law, even words are weapons these days! The little gangsta wannabe's don't spend money on Swiss Army Knives, they want something that can hack a limb or head..."
Another wrote, "The world has lost its way... The Boy Scouts are no longer the Boy Scouts and the Swiss Army Knife is no longer a knife... Humanity is doomed!"
Yet another one wrote, "The knife is an integral part What are we in prison? How many Swiss Army knife stabbings have there been?"
