Victorinox in Brunnen: visiting the home of the Swiss Army knife

The story of the Swiss Army knife begins in the valley basin of Schwyz. In 1884 Karl Elsener opened his cutlery workshop in Ibach, and to this day Victorinox makes every original pocket knife there. The factory itself is closed to visitors. Ten minutes away, in the lakeside village of Brunnen, the Victorinox brand store and the Swiss Knife Valley visitor centre offer a good insight all the same. There you can assemble your own knife and have your name engraved on the blade. That is precisely why many visitors come specially.

What to expect

1. Assemble your own pocket knife. In the workshop of the visitor centre you build a real pocket knife piece by piece under guidance, from springs, blades and scales. At the end it is engraved. Victorinox offers knife assembly in only a few selected stores worldwide, and a special blade engraving identifies the knife as hand-assembled. The knife is included in the fee, and the assembly itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Book in advance, because places fill up quickly, especially in season and at weekends. With children who are no longer very small, the assembly is a fine shared experience, and you take home a souvenir you really did make yourself.

2. The knife museum. Below the store, the visitor centre leads through the history of the pocket knife, from the first soldier's knife of the 1890s and the «officer's knife» that became known all over the world to multimedia presentations about production in Ibach. Because the factory is not open to the public, these presentations are the only insight into manufacturing. Admission is free.

3. The brand store. The store in Brunnen was redesigned in 2022. At its centre stands a large personalisation station where pocket knives, kitchen knives, watches and luggage can be customised on the spot. Visitors usually receive a discount on knives. Hotel guests in Brunnen sometimes get more, so ask with your guest card.

The history in brief

Karl Elsener founded his workshop in Ibach-Schwyz in 1884 and delivered the first soldier's knives to the Swiss army in 1891. The name Victorinox came about after the death of his mother Victoria and with the arrival of stainless steel («inox»). The nickname «Swiss Army Knife» was coined by American soldiers after the Second World War, who found the word «officer's knife» too much of a mouthful. Today tens of thousands of pocket knives leave the factory in Ibach every day, and the region proudly calls itself Swiss Knife Valley.

Practicalities

• Where: Victorinox Brand Store & Swiss Knife Valley visitor centre, Bahnhofstrasse 3, Brunnen. The shop is in the middle of the village, two minutes from the lakeside promenade.
• Cost: the museum visit is free. For knife assembly you pay a fee that includes the engraving. Booking is recommended; current prices are available from the visitor centre.
• Getting there: Brunnen is on the main line, around 45 minutes from Lucerne and 10 minutes from Schwyz. The scheduled boats from Lucerne also call at Brunnen, so the visit combines well with a trip on Lake Lucerne.
• Note for air travellers: pocket knives are not allowed in the aircraft cabin. If you travel with hand luggage only, have the store send the knife on or pack it in your checked baggage.

Combining the visit with Brunnen

From the visitor centre the other sights in Brunnen are quickly reached. On the lakeside promenade you look down the fjord-like Urnersee. By boat it is only a short trip to the Rütli meadow, which lies directly opposite on the other shore and is regarded as the cradle of the Confederation. More in post The Rütli meadow. From Morschach a cable car runs up to Stoos, where you can set off on the ridge hike. How that tour goes is described in post Stoos Ridge Hike. Further ideas for your stay by the lake are in post Brunnen on Lake Lucerne.

FAQ

Can you tour the Victorinox factory in Ibach?

No, the factory is not open to the public. The visitor centre in Brunnen offers the official insight into manufacturing with its production films and the museum.

What does it cost to assemble your own pocket knife?

The current price is available on site and on the official website. It includes the finished knife with your name engraved. Book your place early.

Is the pocket knife museum free?

Yes, admission to the visitor centre and the museum is free. You only pay for the knife assembly and for guided group tours.

Is Brunnen worth it for Victorinox alone?

Together with the lakeside promenade and the boat connections, the stop is certainly worthwhile. Families in particular can do a lot in Brunnen in a short time.

Can the new knife go on the plane?

The knife may only go in checked baggage, not in hand luggage. On request the store will also arrange shipping.