The Giant Swiss Army Knife
If ever there was one perfect holiday gift out there for Angus MacGyver, here it is. The Collector's Giant Swiss Army Knife from Wenger is the latest evolutionary step from the mountain-yodeling blade makers who have done much to further the functionality of mankind's most primal tool.
Technically, it is one item, but it is one item with 87 implements that perform 141 functions -- one of them, of course, being cutting the heads off of cigars. Recently awarded the title of "Most Multifunction Penknife" by the Guinness Book of World Records, the Giant bears the red cross and handle jacketing that are the hallmarks of a Swiss Army Knife, but it could never be mistook as one of its sister utensils. It is certainly a crown jewel in the company's portfolio -- demonstrating 100 years of ingenuity -- but at nine inches wide and weighing two pounds and 11 ounces, let's just say you won't be clipping it to your belt.
Hand-assembled by two cutlery specialists in Delemont, Switzerland, the Giant began as a pet project with the goal of achieving a technical feat and creating one model. The word leaked out to collectors and the knife found a demand among Swiss Army devotees. It includes 14 blades, three types of pliers, screwdrivers, saws, wrenches, a bicycle chain rivet setter, cigar scissors, a laser pointer, a golf divot repair tool, a toothpick, tweezers and much more.
The Collector's Giant Swiss Army Knife is sold exclusively through the Wenger Web site, www.swissarmyknife.com, and has a price tag of $1,200. It comes packaged in a wooden case and is accompanied by a certificate verifying its placement in the Guinness Book of World Records.
