History: SwissTool Plier Heads

Constantly evolving the design in pursuit of perfection, Victorinox has made a number of changes to the SwissTool pliers since its inception. Recent improvements have included two different wire-cutter notches, and added material around the pivot area for increased strength.

Most dramatic was in 2002, when the plier pivot direction was changed. At first glance the reason for this reversal may not be apparent. However, according to Robert Elesner, Quality Manager at Victorinox,
"If you twist a pair of pliers in either direction, the maximum torque until breakage is different. Most pliers are less strong when you twist something counter-clockwise, as if you were trying to loosen a bolt or remove a screw. Counter-clockwise tends to spread the pliers tip apart, whereas clockwise twisting will force the pliers half against one another and be stronger. That's the reason why we reversed the pivot on our SwissTool and SwissTool Spirit new pliers head design."



VICTORINOX



Quality manager

Executive Master of Business Excellence

Robert Elsener

Dear Mr Moore



Thank you for your mail dated 07th October 2007 and being interested in our products. We are pleased to answer your question.



All adjustments (fixing) made on our «SwissTool» and «SwissTool Spirit» are recorded and valuated by our customer service. By means of this analysis we are able to optimize the quality and functionality. Your question about the pliers' construction details has been discussed on an Internet forum some month ago. A user mentioned a theory what exactly nailed our intention.





If you twist a pair of pliers in either direction, the maximum torque until breakage is different. Most pliers are less strong when you twist something counter-clockwise, as if you were trying to loosen a bolt or remove a screw. Counter-clockwise tends to spread the pliers tip apart, whereas clockwise twisting will force the pliers half against one another and be stronger. That's the reason why we reversed the pivot on our SwissTool and SwissTool Spirit new pliers head design.



If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.





Yours sincerely



VICTORINOX



Quality manager

Executive Master of Business Excellence

Robert Elsener