Victorinox is famous for it’s Swiss Army knives. But do you know how it started and why the brand is called what it’s called? And after a little interesting history below, I’ll share with you my favorite pasalubongs or souvenirs & how much they cost in Switzerland vs USA vs Germany.

HISTORY

139 years ago in 1884 Karl Elsener opens a knife cutler’s workshop in Ibach-Schwyz. A cutler is someone who makes knives and other cutting utensils. It comes from the French coutel, which means knife. 7 years later, in 1891 he establishes the Association of Swiss Master Cutlers, which enables him to deliver the first major supply of soldier’s knives to the Swiss Army. After 6 years (1897) the original Swiss Officer’s and Sports Knife is patented. It is known around the world today as the “Swiss Army Knife”.

In 1909, in memory of his mother he chooses her name Victoria as the brand name. Then in 1921 the invention of Inox or stainless steel revolutionizes the cutlery industry. Victoria + Inox = Victorinox is today’s brand name. source

SWISS SOUVENIRS

Victorinox is one of those places where I buy pasalubong or gifts when I’m visiting friends in other countries. But this is not a new thing. After WWII, American soldiers stationed in Europe buy large quantities of Swiss Army knives because it’s a popular souvenir to take back home.

I personally don’t give Swiss Army knives, instead, these are my favorite things not just for souvenirs but things I personally use at home.

REX PEELERS

These are great budget-friendly souvenirs, take up very little space in our luggage & are ultra-lightweight. I placed links both to the Swiss, US and German stores. Just click on the prices to see. I recommend viewing this post and opening links to the stores using Google Chrome so it automatically translates the page to your language. Prices may change without notice.

For those with want something more special and have the budget, these are the limited edition peelers. I have been dreaming of the gold one but TD refuses to let me buy it. I have the feeling though that if bought as a collector’s piece, it will go up in value over time.

Rose gold plated CHF 69.00 | €62,44 | $90.68

Whenever I’m at the Geneva Flagship Store, I always drool over the gold-plated ones. I have a feeling it will go up in value if I don’t use it, keep the box and receipt.

But since TD didn’t let me get it, I got myself the cashew one which looks like a very classy matte gold color IRL. And at only €7,90 TD is happy for me to get it… to use!

STORK EMBROIDERY SCISSORS

The National Museum of American History has uncovered a very specific pair of stork scissors, once belonging to midwife Rosa Bonfante from Sicily, Italy. The stork scissors, a part of her midwifery kit, were not actually scissors, but a clamp for the umbilical cord of the baby.

Midwives often did needlework in their spare time whilst waiting for things to progress in the delivery room & as a result their medical tools often got mixed with their sewing kit. As time passed, the stork umbilical cord clamp evolved to the stork embroidery scissor we know and love today.
– WHITELEY.CO.UK

I am the victim of buying a Zweite Wahl (second choice original product with defect) or fake Victorinox stork embroidery scissors so I decided to just buy straight from the Victorinox flagship store. I already have the small so I got the medium.

I’ll take a picture of the defective or possibly fake one so you can compare. And I’ll update this post.

Here’s where you can get Stork Embroidery Scissors online, depending on where you are:

SWISSCARD

We’ve had our black and red Swiss Cards forever but recently we can’t seem to find them. I attribute the loss to the color because it’s so easy to lose something small and dark colored. So I bought this beautiful ice blue color so it’s harder to miss in the dark corners of our luggage. Isn’t it pretty?

WHERE TO BUY SWISS CARDS:

Amazon.com
Amazon.de isn’t the mint SwissCard so cute?
Amazon.fr the blue SwissCard is so pretty!

VICTORINOX TRAVEL CLIPPERS

These clippers are the most compact & sharpest travel clippers that I’ve found. I love that it’s super slim when folded/locked and it’s the best key chain I’ve had coz then I always have a nailcutter wherever I am here in Switzerland.