Wenger is the manufacturer of the Swiss Army knife. With a model they call ?Giant Knife Ver. 1.00?, they aim to up the ante. Bond, MacGyver, and Inspector Gadget would lust after this amazing little toy. It is an incredible triumph of product design with 85 fully functioning implements that have over 100 functions. Impossible? Read on.

More Than Just Swiss Cheese

These beauties are crafted (where else?) in Switzerland. The ?Giant Knife? is not all that compact, and it does not come cheap either. But does that really matter? When all you want is to stupefy onlookers with such a ridiculously ostentatious piece of gadgetry, practical considerations really are not that important, are they? That being said, this Swiss Army knife makes the perfect gift for gizmo freaks like that geeky childhood friend of yours. It has almost everything. A whole lot of useful tools and some that will probably never be used. But is that not the point?

What Gives?

To start off with, there are seven blades, three pliers, and countless screwdrivers, saws, and wrenches. There is a battery-operated flashlight and a laser pointer with a range of about 300 feet. The less pedestrian components are an implement that fixes golf divots and something that magnifies mineral crystals. Then there is the tire-tread gauge, signal whistle, and cigar-cutter. Too much? Hell no!

The ?Giant Knife? measures 9 inches in width, so it is not really an ideal item for an Armani jacket. Then again, it does not seem designed for concealment at all. What it is, however, is a testament to engineering ingenuity and precision instruments. That and the ultimate collector's item for Swiss Army knife fanatics. Then again, one does not really need a reason to buy this beautiful yet slightly demented piece. There are so many tools that it is almost guaranteed you will never stop fiddling with it every time you look at it. Imagine whipping it out in a public place. You will be beaming with pride at all the ooohs and aaahs that are sure to come your way. Your only problem will be making sure the thing does not rip a hole in your pockets. If one of the implements do not, its sheer weight will.

Oh. You want to know about the other implements. How about the nail file and nail cleaner for personal hygiene purposes? There is a corkscrew for that quick celebration. You want high tech? Check out the fiber optic tool holder. And then there is the toothpick, the tweezers, and the key ring.

That enough Swiss Army knife for you? No doubt, if you are a collector, you are salivating over this Swiss Army knife. It is the most ambitious model that Wenger has manufactured. But if this unit seems a little far out, there's sure to be a Swiss Army knife that'll grab your fancy. Shop around. Swiss Army knives are useful. They are not just for collecting or novelty value. They have been around for a long time and will be around for a long time to come.