<P> Originating in Ibach , Switzerland , the Swiss Army knife was first produced in 1891 after the company , Karl Elsener , which later became Victorinox , won the contract to produce the Swiss Army 's Modell 1890 knife from the previous German manufacturer . In 1893 , the Swiss cutlery company Paul Boéchat & Cie , which later became Wenger , received its first contract from the Swiss military to produce model 1890 knives ; the two companies split the contract for provision of the knives from 1908 until Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005 . A cultural icon of Switzerland , the design of the knife and its versatility have both led to worldwide recognition . </P>
<P> Originating in Ibach , Switzerland , the Swiss Army knife was first produced in 1891 after the company , Karl Elsener , which later became Victorinox , won the contract to produce the Swiss Army 's Modell 1890 knife from the previous German manufacturer . In 1893 , the Swiss cutlery company Paul Boéchat & Cie , which later became Wenger , received its first contract from the Swiss military to produce model 1890 knives ; the two companies split the contract for provision of the knives from 1908 until Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005 . A cultural icon of Switzerland , the design of the knife and its versatility have both led to worldwide recognition . </P>
when was the first swiss army knife made
when was the first swiss army knife made
1891
1891