Our “last cutler” retired in 2016. But even in the age of automation, it’s still important to have a cutler who can employ traditional techniques to hone a knife with his own hands. That’s exactly why our first apprentice in 50 years began his training last year.
As President of the Apprenticeships Commission for the Swiss Master Cutlers Association, Felix Graf is responsible for setting the syllabus and training program for all apprentice cutlers in Switzerland. He is the contact point for businesses who wish to have an apprentice, as well as for any aspiring apprentices themselves. He is responsible for the final apprenticeship exam and for the implementation of any new education regulations.
Thanks to his efforts, we now have a young cutler on a four year program here at Victorinox and there are three other apprentice cutlers doing their training in Switzerland currently.
By his own admission, Felix Graf is himself a die-hard knifemaker, so it’s no surprise that he is dedicated to forging the next generation of master cutlers. He runs his own cutler’s workshop, which was founded by his grandfather in 1921, and shares his incredible knowledge with courses for those interested in making their own knife. His alumni include our own Elsener Family, who completed one of Felix’s knifemaking courses.
