Why do Victorinox include a corkscrew on their Swiss Army Knife?
You can check the answer of the people under the question at Quora “swiss army knife mechanic“
About Alice
Written by: Alice
Published on:
Why do Victorinox include a corkscrew on their Swiss Army Knife?
You can check the answer of the people under the question at Quora “swiss army knife mechanic“
About Alice
I don’t know about you but I need a corkscrew more often than I need a screwdriver. 😉 And in that region of the world, nestled between France, Germany, and Italy, well, this isn’t rocket science. LOL
Authentic XYJ Since 1986,Outstanding Ancient Forging,6.7 Inch Full Tang
For many decades wine was the beverage of choice for box or bag lunches or supper for Europeans much in the way sodas are for Americans today. How do you open a bottle of wine? with a corkscrew. Many pocket knives of European linage incorporated corkscrews in their design not just Victorinox. In America knives of from Europe and knives that imitated them were made with corkscrews even though it was a mystery for Americans who used the bottle opener to open their Beer to ponder while drinking.
Chicago Cutlery Belden 15 Piece Premium Kitchen Knife
Well, obviously, it would be logical to think it’s for opening wine bottles, and actually it is!
A tell-tale sign is that the real army version is deprived of one – drinking is officially frowned upon in the military.
But if the corkscrew annoys you, just buy a version without one! They do exist.
This is from Victorinox’s own website:
As you can see, those two are very close, but the 78 has a screwdriver where the 179 has a corkscrew. I have the 179 personally, and I have used the corkscrew more than once, but alternatives exist.
And this is the present military-issue (but available to the public) knife. No corkscrew…
Wanbasion Black Stainless Steel Knife Set, Sharp Kitchen Knife
The first “Swiss Army Knife” by Victorinox was made and issued in 1891 (?). Being designed for use by soldiers, it had a blade, an awl, a screwdriver (for disassembling a rifle), and a can opener. The closest model to that still made by Victorinox is the “Pioneer.”
The “Officer’s Knife” was issued in 1897 (?), and as its name suggests, it was meant for purchase by military officers. In addition to the tools found on the Soldier Knife, it also had a small blade (for erasing mistakes in ink) and a corkscrew, since officers were more likely than enlisted men to drink wine. The closest model to this is the “Spartan.” Most current models of Victorinox knives are based on the Officer’s Knife. The base of the main blade still has “Officier Suisse” stamped on it.
Amazon Basics 14-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set, High-Carbon
Lotsa drunks in their target demographic, methinks. The SAK I carry is the Master (or Deluxe, I forget which), which one of the very few SAKs that do not have a corkscrew. I have never once in my life needed or wanted a corkscrew….
MOSFiATA 8 Super Sharp Professional Chef’s Knife
To open bottles that use corks.
A secondary purpose is to hold a small screwdriver.
It is also not on all their SAKs.
12-Piece Color-Coded Kitchen Knife Set, 6 Knives with 6 Blade Guards
The corkscrew is for opening wine bottles with corks in them when you do not have a saber handy.
ALBATROSS EDC Cool Sharp Tactical Folding Pocket Knife
I use the corkscrew quite a bit, but rarely for corks. It mostly gets used for digging dirt and pebbles out of my shoes when I come into the house. But it is a very good tool for small ropework, especially when kids’ shoelaces get badly knotted. The actual screw function I mostly use for removing candles that have burned down flush with the candlestick socket and there is nothing to grab hold of. The corkscrew bites into the wax and you can either pull on the screw or let the tip of the screw push on the bottom of the candle socket and push the candle stub out.
imarku Japanese Chef Knife – Pro Kitchen Knife 8 Inch Chef’s Knives
Olivier Rychner has a great answer. But, there are reasons for this. The best example is the BSA Victorinox Pocket Knife. No corkscrew. Why? Well, Boy Scouts, all under the legal age of drinking in the US, should not have the need to pull a cork out of a wine bottle.
//CAVEAT: My dad, an old time Boy Scout in the 1920s & 1930s refuted this by stating that, when in doubt about the safety of the local drinking water, always insisted on French Wine instead and to make sure that you are the one to verify its provenance and to open the bottle. ……… Then again, he was born in …wait for it… France.
//DISCLAIMER: My favorite Victorinox Knife has the corkscrew.
Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife with 3.1in
Actually I bought my current model of a Swiss Army knife because it has a corkscrew. I usually travel with the knife in my suitcase so wherever I go I have many useful tools. The corkscrew is great for opening a bottle of wine while the knives are great for cutting up cheese
Spring Assisted Knife – Pocket Folding Knife – Military Style