The makers of the Swiss Army knife are making a sharp change — in a blunter direction.
Swiss firm Victorinox, makers of the multi-tool implement whose name is a synonym for “versatility,” are cooking up versions without blades.
In an interview with Swiss newspaper Blick Monday, CEO Carl Elsener Jr. said the move is prompted by fears over anti-violence laws.
“We are concerned about increasing regulation of knives due to violence in the world. In England or certain Asian countries, you are sometimes only allowed to carry a knife if you need it to do your job or go outdoors,” he said in German, according to a Google translation.
Mr. Elsener envisions bladeless specialty tools for cyclists and golfers among others, he told Blick. For now, the new tools are still being thought up.
“We are in the early stages of developing pocket tools without blades,” a Victorinox spokesperson told CNN.
The company has adapted to regulations on knives before.
“9/11 painfully showed us that we must not become dependent on a single business area. At that time, sales of pocket knives fell by over 30% overnight,” Mr. Elsener told Blick.
Victorinox currently lists the “Jetsetter” implement on its website, which is compliant with air-travel regulations and contains scissors, a toothpick, a bottle opener, a magnetic Phillips screwdriver, tweezers and a wire stripper.
Despite the lack of a blade, the Jetsetter is still marketed as a “small pocket knife.” It is currently sold out, per the Victorinox website.
The company spokesperson did not tell CNN whether the new multi-tool is an update to the Jetsetter or something entirely new.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.