Thomas Jefferson's awsome pocket knife...

[padowser]

"Jefferson recorded purchases of several knives in his Memorandum Books between 1767 and 1819, but it is not clear when this particular pocketknife with wooden sides and multiple blades was acquired. The handy device has twelve tools, including saw, file, drill, corkscrew, and knife blades."

[Grant Lamontagne]

Very nice knife!

Sometimes we look at things like this and think "how the heck did they make that back in those days?" especially since this one predates not only the Swiss Army Knife but also Karl Elsener.  Of course all one has to do is look back at watches from the same era to realize that even back then people were making some amazingly intricate things!

Def

[82brutus]

It's interesting to me that if he had this custom made that he requested a hook on the backside.   

Long live the hook!   

[50ft-trad]

It's interesting to me that if he had this custom made that he requested a hook on the backside.   

Long live the hook!   

A hook with a latch by the looks of it  I also initially thought "WHARNIE!!!" but then realised that could have been any other blade shape that just developed a receeding edge 

Any clues what the uppermost backsprung tool is?

[Mercury]

It's interesting to me that if he had this custom made that he requested a hook on the backside.   

Long live the hook!   

 

[Ashley]

Thats neat.

[Mr. Whippy]

It is amazingly similar to the first Elsener pocket knives (but with the addition of backspring tools!)

Fantastic tool.

I wonder what the warranty  was like back then...?

[Accujohn]

Very nice knife!

Sometimes we look at things like this and think "how the heck did they make that back in those days?" especially since this one predates not only the Swiss Army Knife but also Karl Elsener.  Of course all one has to do is look back at watches from the same era to realize that even back then people were making some amazingly intricate things!

Def

Incredibly true....in fact the earlier you got the more amazing the watch detail. Course it took them forever to do, but they wern't cheap either.

The saw is real unusual for one this early.

[jerseydevil]

That's really cool! Here's a pic of the six-bladed Congress that Abraham Lincoln was carrying the night he was assassinated:



It has ivory scales and silver bolsters. Couldn't find a pic of it open. Betcha 2xTap has one just like it though .

[padowser]

50ft-trad - I think that tool is a leather punch or a cigar plug cutter....I am not sure of the scale.

jerseydevil - Nice dress knife for going to the theater. I bet Ike was our last president to carrry a knife.

[Max Archer]

With all the time he spent on the ranch, I wouldn't be surprised if W carried one at least some of the time.

On the main topic, am I the only one who always looks at historical knives and similar objects and wishes he could get an exact replica of it?

[shamus]

thanks for posting.