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Artworks
WENGER SA Delémont, Switzerland
World's Largest Swiss Army Giant Knife (1.092.002.000) - Wenger S.A. Delemont, Swizerland, 2007Weight: 1.343 kg / Length: 9.5" / Width: 6"Further images
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GUINNESS CERTIFICATE: The most multifunctional penknife is the Swiss Army Giant Knife 2007, manufactured by Wenger S.A. in Delémont, Switzerland, which contains 87 tools and offers 141 different functions.The World's Largest Swiss Army Giant Knife by Wenger SA Delémont, Switzerland, is a remarkable feat of engineering and design that transcends its utilitarian origins to become a sculptural celebration of Swiss precision. This extraordinary tool, presented in a sleek black case, commands attention with its sheer ambition—87 tools offering 141 distinct functions, each component meticulously crafted to showcase Wenger's century-long commitment to innovation. The polished stainless steel elements contrast dramatically with iconic red accents, creating a visual rhythm that speaks to both utility and elegance. More than 9 inches thick with 49 intricate layers, this is not merely a knife but a three-dimensional archive of Swiss ingenuity, a functional sculpture that challenges our understanding of what a tool can be.
About The Wenger Giant
Created in the 2000s under the vision of Michel Champion, a Wenger assembly department technician who dared to imagine the impossible, this unique piece weighs 1343 grams and measures 9.5 inches in length and 6 inches in width. Champion's inspiration came from seeing oversized knives in the Guinness Book of Records, sparking an audacious question: what if every tool Wenger had ever designed could exist in a single model? The result represents the pinnacle of multifunctional design, officially designated as the Wenger 16999 but universally known as the Giant for its extraordinary presence.
The knife includes exclusive features like an integrated swiveling compass with sight line, detachable hexagonal keys, a patented cigar cutter, and specialized tools ranging from golf reamers to grafting knife blades—each reflecting Wenger's versatility across diverse applications. This giant knife holds profound cultural significance as an emblem of Swiss innovation, demonstrating that technical mastery and artistic ambition need not exist separately. Its status as one of the most expensive Swiss Army Knives ever made reflects the extraordinary engineering effort required to realize Champion's vision.
The Art of Assembly
The creation of each Wenger Giant is an intimate act of craftsmanship. Michel Champion himself engineered the manufacturing process, spending ten weeks developing the prototype before assembling the first unit in 2000. The assembly and riveting processes are entirely manual—no machine could navigate the complex spatial puzzle of 49 layers. Champion initially worked alone, spending about one hour on the assembly process for each knife, as only he knew exactly where each tool belonged within the intricate architecture.
As his expertise deepened, Champion trained colleague Mr. Leuenberger, making them the only two technicians at Wenger capable of assembling this marvel. Champion's efficiency evolved from two units per day to an impressive eight, though each remained a unique testament to human skill and patience. The first 25 units, assembled in 2000, served as ambassadors of Swiss craftsmanship at trade shows worldwide, sparking wonder and conversation wherever they appeared.
A Testament to Swiss Innovation
This collector's piece represents more than the sum of its 141 functions. It embodies a philosophy that innovation sometimes means pushing beyond practicality into the realm of the extraordinary. The Wenger Giant certificate that accompanies each knife serves as documentation of this achievement—proof that Wenger was capable of such a feat, which was Champion's true goal rather than simply claiming a world record.
From integrated Pocketgrip holders to military knife blades, from fishing tools to golf equipment, the Giant contains Wenger's complete legacy of innovation across diverse fields. Its historical and practical value, combined with its sculptural presence, ensures its place as a treasured artifact that bridges the worlds of functional design and conceptual art. This is engineering elevated to poetry, a conversation piece that invites contemplation about the nature of utility, ambition, and the human drive to create something unprecedented.
Provenance
Acquired in New Jersey -
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