unusual multi-tool with corkscrew

[vintagecorkscrews]

Hi All,

I was sent a picture of this multi-tool with corkscrew this morning, and I am trying to do a little research on it.  If anyone has knowledge of the maker, dates, origins, patents, it would be much appreciated.

And, of course, if you have any old corkscrews with which you wish to part, drop me a line.

Thanks

josef

[enki_ck]

Welcome to the forum, Josef.

That looks extremely interesting.

I'm guessing the bottle opener part on the left of the picture rotates to uncover a claw style can opener, right?

Do you have any more pictures of it, manufacturer stamps what so ever, ... ?


I'll move this thread to the Collectors forum but leave a link to it here so we get better coverage.

[vintagecorkscrews]

Hi Again,

From what I understand there are no markings on the tool.  But, the owner sent a photo identifying some of the uses.  It is pretty interesting, and hopefully we can figure out who made it.

Thanks
Josef

[Etherealicer]

Ice Hatchet, cork screw and bottle opener, what could possibly go wrong

[J-sews]

A special one indeed. Nikola, you are correct, the guard at the base of the handle pivots out of the way to reveal an old claw-type can opener.








It has a folding worm corkscrew in the front, and two more folding blades in the back.







There is a hook at the top, but I don't know what it's purpose is? Even more puzzling to me is the little "vise" that runs along the side of the head. It has about 3 inches of travel (75mm) and is adjusted by rotating the knurled knob on the end. It works smoothly, but why does a tool like this need a vise/clamp?





~Bob

[Smitty44]

Pretty cool tool!!!

[Yadda]

Maybe the "vise" is a type of adjustable  wrench to be used as a bottle opener?
Definitely a neat tool.

[enki_ck]

Or for opening those difficult to open jars.

[J-sews]

I hadn't thought of the bottle opener possibility... Yeah, that might be it! There is a considerable mechanical advantage on the screw thread (means you can crank it really tight without using much finger force.) So I bet it would work just fine! Thanks!

[Syph007]

Very interesting.  Love seeing these old ones. 

The vice jaws look to open very wide, so opening stubborn jar lids seems like a good guess.

[Ray S]

What a neat old tool! I love these types of tools even though my primary interest is in knives. If I may I would like to post a picture of this multi-tool by Hickock that I acquired some time ago. Essentially a hammer/ice pick that the head unscrews to reveal a corkscrew;it also has a clip on the side that holds what appears to be an olive fork that is spring loaded to release the olive into the drink.The other side has a swizzle stick for stirring drinks and the cap lifter end unscrews to reveal a small knife blade to be used to cut open foil on a wine bottle.The whole thing is stored in a fine leather case.Not sure of the age but it screams 1950's to me.

[J-sews]

Neato! I've seen similar ones to that Ray, but I didn't realize there was a hidden foil blade in addition to the corkscrew. Nice! I'm not familiar with the Hickock name. Do you think they were the manufacturer, or do you think they were the retailer and the tool was made elsewhere?

[Ray S]

Neato! I've seen similar ones to that Ray, but I didn't realize there was a hidden foil blade in addition to the corkscrew. Nice! I'm not familiar with the Hickock name. Do you think they were the manufacturer, or do you think they were the retailer and the tool was made elsewhere?

I believe that this particular Hickock company was one that mainly sold men's leather products such as belts and belt buckles.The leather case that holds this tool is a smooth polished leather of very high quality.Not sure why they would produce such an item.