bb Insight
Swiss cult knife:
bb trading
visits Victorinox.
Behind the scenes:
The secret of the click.
This much in advance: Even during our factory visit, we couldn’t uncover the secret behind the unique quality of Swiss Army knives – the famous «click» when the blade closes. Even with exclusive access behind the scenes, that part remained hidden. But it’s precisely this well-guarded mystery that makes Victorinox so fascinating and shows how much Swissness is built into every detail.
As the largest distribution partner in the corporate gift sector across Europe, we share a close partnership with Victorinox – and with full conviction. Because Swiss Made is more than just a label: it stands for Swiss craftsmanship, precision, responsibility, and sustainability. Values we at bb trading share with our clients, and which Victorinox impressively demonstrates day after day.
Our journey into history begins in 1884, when Karl Elsener founded his cutlery workshop in Ibach.
By 1891, he had already delivered the first soldier’s knife to the Swiss Army. The brand name «Victorinox» pays tribute to his mother Victoria, while «Inox» stands for stainless steel.
What started as a small workshop is today a global company with more than 2’200 employees in 12 subsidiaries – around 1’250 of them in Switzerland – and an ambassador of Swiss quality worldwide.
Factory report:
A day of pure Swiss Made.
Walking into the Ibach factory, it quickly becomes clear how Victorinox blends tradition with modernity. On one hand, highly automated processes produce millions of components with specially developed machines. On the other hand, some production steps have remained unchanged for decades. A particularly impressive moment was watching the grinders at work: with breathtaking speed and absolute precision, they sharpen every kitchen knife – a craft that only comes from experience and skill.
This contrast between high-tech and craftsmanship is what makes Victorinox so fascinating. It shows that true quality doesn’t come from machines alone, but also from the expertise and pride of its employees. That’s why every Victorinox Swiss Army knife is much more than just a tool – it is a symbol of Swiss Made, durability, and precision.
Sustainability in action:
Smart use of resources.
For years, Victorinox has been committed to sustainable production. A large proportion of the steel comes from recycled materials, hundreds of tons of grinding sludge are reused every year, and in-house photovoltaic systems supply renewable energy. Even the heat generated during production is used to heat buildings and provide hot water. This creates a closed loop that saves resources while still ensuring the highest quality.
This combination of innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability shapes every Victorinox product – and yet one element remains undisclosed to this day: the legendary «click» when the blade closes is and will remain an unmatched hallmark. Neither competitors nor visitors – including our twelve-member delegation – have ever been told how this effect is created. Some rooms remained closed to us, and it is precisely this mystery that adds an extra aura of exclusivity and pride to the brand.
For us at bb trading, this visit was an impressive confirmation of why we have relied on Victorinox for years. As the largest distribution partner in the corporate gift sector in Europe, we advise companies that want to use Victorinox Swiss Army knives as premium promotional items or have them customized with their own logo. Gifting a Victorinox knife means giving more than just a practical tool – it is handing over a piece of Swiss identity – durable, precise, and sustainably made.
Victorinox refinement
Did you know that Victorinox pocket knives have even been flying into space with NASA since the 1970s? It couldn’t be more iconic!
However, Victorinox now encompasses much more than just pocket knives: from high-quality kitchen utensils and luggage to clothing, watches and jewelry – the brand stands for Swiss Made quality, durability and precision in all areas.
At bb trading, you can have many Victorinox products customized, be it with a logo, lettering or design. This turns every product into an exclusive promotional item, customer gift or company present.
Victorinox pocket knife collection
The iconic Victorinox pocket knives are available in numerous variants – from the compact model for on the go to the multifunctional all-rounder. At bb trading, you can personalize your favourite knives with your logo or design so that they attract maximum attention as a practical gift or promotional item.
Victorinox kitchen gadgets
From tomato knives to peeling and kitchen tools to bread knives – Victorinox kitchen gadgets impress with their precision, high-quality materials and durability. Each item can be individually branded at bb trading, ideal for companies that want to give their customers or employees a stylish and useful gift.
