How to decode a Swiss Army Knife

This tool can become your most trusted travelling companion, on and off the road. Here's why, and how to use it

"Born" in Switzerland in 1897, the Offiziersmesser or Swiss Army knife is no ordinary multi-tool. In addition to tools like the blade, tweezers, corkscrew, scissors, can opener, bottle opener, screwdriver, nail file, saw, file, hook, magnifying glass, pen, fish scaler, pliers, and key chain, Wenger has introduced a model with features including a 16 GB flash drive, an MP3 player and laser pointer.

The simplest model sold had just one blade. The maximum number of tools in a single model number 85, weighing almost three pounds, which Wenger launched in 2006 to commemorate their 100-year anniversary.