The Soldier Knife is the true Swiss Army Knife, having been the official issue to the Swiss Army since 1891.

From 1951 to 1960 this 93mm fiber handled design, which is a scaled down version of the original 1890 Soldier, was the official issue to the Swiss Army. Although stainless steel had been available for about three decades, it was only introduced to the Solider's knives in this model, replacing the carbon steel of the 100mm version.

Layer Tools

1890 Soldier Design - But 93mm

• Large drop-point blade
• Large screwdriver - With sharpened edge for wire stripping
• Can-opener
• Awl

The year of production is stamped on the tang of the main blade as two digits 'YY ' eg '59 ' for 1959.

Non-Blade Tools

None.
The military knives have tended not to include the common toothpick and tweezers of the civilian knives, presumably because they are too easily lost in the field or deemed non-essential.

Scales

Fiber including a rivet with a central hole for a lanyard or cable.

History

A Soldier's Knife  has been issued to Swiss troops since 1891, and has continued every year to the present day.

• Prior to 1951, the 100mm 1890 Original Soldier Knife was issued.

• The original Soldier's Knife was slightly redesigned in 1951 resulting in this lighter weight and smaller 93mm Soldier Knife. However the toolset, layout, basic design and fibre scales (handles), was the same as its older, larger brother. Stainless steel was introduced for the tools in this version of the Soldier.

• In 1961 the Soldier's Knife was completely redesigned, resulting in the 93mm Alox scaled Soldier Knife, and the 1951 version was officially retired. Although Wenger issued this model for a little longer. The 1961 Soldier was issued to troops until 2008.

• In 2008 the Soldier was again redesigned, this time creating the larger 111mm Soldier's Knife with a locking blade, locking screwdriver/pry-bar, and wood saw.

Additional Information

For additional information on the history, variations and markings of the Soldier - See the 1890 and 1961 Soldier pages.

Variations

1954 Variation:

Physical Specifications

• Length: 93mm
• Width:
• Weight:

Identifiers

Related Knives

• Soldier Model 1890 - The original Soldier Knife.
• Soldier 1961 Design - 93mm replacement Soldier Knife, with Alox handles.
• Soldier 2008 Design - 111mm synthetic scaled Soldier Knife, with saw and locking blade.

• Soldat 1951 - The Wenger Soldier Knife (Soldat) is nearly identical.