Chinese Swiss Army Knives

Yes, it is true that China has been making Swiss Army knives for quite some time; they make a copies of many items throughout the world.  This is possibly a much bigger story than that.  China may make the actual Swiss Army Knives used by the Swiss Army. 

Wenger and Victorinox are the two Swiss Knife makers who normally provide the 50,000 or so knives the Swiss Army.  While most of these knives can be distinguished by their easily recognizable red and white crosses, which is surrounded by a shield or rounded corner square by Victorinox and Wenger respectively, the actual knives that are shipped to the Swiss Army bear the Swiss coat of Arms.

China though may step in and be able to supply these knives to the Swiss Army in late 2008, since an request for quote for more knives placed by the Swiss government was of such a substantial size that the World Trade Organization (WTO) actually requires that the order by open to manufacturers throughout the world.  It is not hard to imagine China actually winning this bid request, and supplying these blades to the Swiss government. 

With the advent of globalization, China has become a major supplier of knives, both through outsourcing and blatant knockoffs.  While this is all above board, it is a shame that a national symbol would be outsourced to another nation.  Just another reason to water down a nations sovereignty to organizations like the WTO and the United Nations.