Victorinox Grooved Corkscrew

Between 1961 and 1991, Victorinox Swiss Army knives included a corkscrew with a slightly "looser" 4-turn spiral, and with grooves cut into the sides.
We have seen different explanations for the grooves. Some people believe that they were purely decorative, while others feel that they help to grip the cork better, reducing the chance it will slip. It may also just be a manufacturing artifact.
We opened a few wine bottles with each type of corkscrew, and concluded that there might be a small advantage to the grooved version, but it didn't make much of a difference.

Swiss Army Corkscrew

Uses: For best results, insert the corkscrew in as far as it will go (just leave yourself a little room so you can still get your fingers around the knife). Then grip the knife tightly with one hand, hold the bottle tightly with the other hand, and pull.

The corkscrew is also helpful for other tasks, including:

  • Removing cotton from aspirin bottles
  • Screwing into trees as a fastener for clothes drying lines
  • Toasting marshmallows over a candle
Found On:
Similar Tools:
  • Prior to 1961, Victorinox Swiss Army knives had a vintage corkscrew with 5 turns instead of 4..
  • Many current Victorinox Swiss Army knives have a modern corkscrew with the same spiral shape, but no grooves.
  • There is a very similar corkscrew on Wenger Swiss Army knives.
  • A few Leatherman tools include a corkscrew.