where is their factory located?

uh...Switzerland? (do I get a blue pie?)

The two manufacturers are Victorinox and Wenger. I imagine a web search would come up with a factory location. My Wenger knife has the word "Delemont" on the blade - I'm guessing that's the place it is made?

ok, seriously. <BR>Does a "real" swiss army knife always have a silver/metal cross Inlay to qualify for "real" (or just a more expensive version)? I bought what I'm pretty sure, is a "real"/original swiss army knife, in Zurich 10 yrs ago, and the white cross is wearing off... <BR>

The Swiss army knives are made by Victorinox (a Swiss subsidiary of a German knives factory) and Wenger, located in Delémont, a charming city 40 km from Basel in the Jura mountains <BR> <BR>http://www.wenger-knife.ch/ <BR> <BR>The standard models are red with a white plastic cross that tends to wear off (then it's time to come again to Switzerland to buy a new one). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Okay, <BR> <BR>The dumb question for the day. Any problems bringing these back through the airport? Must it be packed away in your non carry ons?

I brought 5 in my carry on last time I visited Arizona, I always bring some to Japan, never had any problem.

I have mine on my keychain in my purse and no one has ever said a thing at the airport xray or at customs. <BR>And

The Victorinox knives have a little shield with the white cross, and the Wenger knives have a square. That is the only real difference. <BR> <BR>You can go to http://www.swissarmy.com <BR> <BR>They also just came out with luggage!

Have never had trouble getting mine onto a plane. Last summer in Paris the Air France gate attendant said, "You shouldn't bring this on the plane." I replied that we were not checking any luggage. He shrugged and said no more (this was during the least secure, most ridiculous 'security check' I've ever experienced). Carry on....

<BR>I carry my knife in my purse all the time and have never had a problem at airports. However I did have it taken from me once and that was when I was touring Buckingham Palace. I somply had to put it in a little basket and picked it up again at the end of the tour. <BR>