Two Olde English multitools

[J-sews]

I found two old multitools to add to my collection recently. Funny thing is that both were made in England. No idea who made them or how old they are though. Maybe 1950's/60's/70's vintage?

The first one is stamped Crown Corker. It's just a set of metal kitchen shears, but it has a bunch of fancy contours cut into the handles for performing other tasks. The top side of the tool does different stuff than the bottom. It's pretty neat for how old it must be. The finish looks to be nickel plated. There are some rust speckles here and there.

Top


Bottom



The second tool is called a Versatool. It has a two-piece plastic handle with many functions scattered around on it. A bit driver, some onboard bits, a few folding blades, knife sharpener, wire stripper, etc. Quality is "okay", nothing to write home about.






Anyhow, they're both kinda neat Olde English gadgets, thought you guys might be interested.

Bob

[I'm Still Bison]

The Versatool has a good amount of appeal to me.It reminds me of the gadgety kinds of things that used to be sold in the old Roaman's Jewelry store in my town.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The first one looks almost like it's from the 1920's, it even looks pretty useful around the kitchen today

[BIG-TARGET]

I think the Crown Corker is the same company that made the British SOE/US-OSS escape knife of WW2 fame.  The "first"multitool

[J-sews]

I think the Crown Corker is the same company that made the British SOE/US-OSS escape knife of WW2 fame......

That's an interesting theory BT. The OSS Escape Knives were made by Joseph Rodgers and George Ibberson, both old time cutlery companies from Sheffield England.

[BIG-TARGET]

Like the british Sten gun.  Manufacture in the basment of many british homes at the price of a Happy meal.  And not much serious machining involved

[Ging]

I think the Crown Corker is the same company that made the British SOE/US-OSS escape knife of WW2 fame. 

Its possible but it doesn't say made in Sheffield, so it could easily be made some where else in this fine island...

[J-sews]

One of the 1/4" hex bits that came with he Versatool is kinda unusual:




It has a little wheel of hardened metal (carbide? diamond?) for etching or cutting glass. I tried it on a bottle just now and it scrapes away glass just fine. Doesn't cut through obviously, but does etch a shallow crease.

Uh.....so what would something like this really be used for?

[Anthony]

I think cutting glass.  Score the glass, then "break" it on the line with another tool..like this!

[J-sews]

I think cutting glass.  Score the glass, then "break" it on the line with another tool..like this!

(Image removed from quote.)

I've seen pictures before but never tried it. Does it actually work that well?

[Benner]

Or ceramic tiles.

[J-sews]

Hmmm, don't we have a prominant member here who works in a glass factory?

[kent ct]

I think cutting glass.  Score the glass, then "break" it on the line with another tool..like this!

(Image removed from quote.)

I've seen pictures before but never tried it. Does it actually work that well?

Works very well. Wet the line you are going to cut with kerosene, start at one edge with moderate pressure. If you are doing it right you will hear a nice sizzle noise of the cutter rather than a chipping sound. After the line is scored, tap on the underside of the glass along the line with a hard object like the ball end of the cutter illustrated and you will see the cut go through and the glass will fall apart. You can freehand any shape except inside corners. Circles can be cut with a special cutter or guide. Old glass is harder to cut than new glass.

[J-sews]

Works very well. Wet the line you are going to cut with kerosene, start at one edge with moderate pressure. If you are doing it right you will hear a nice sizzle noise of the cutter rather than a chipping sound. After the line is scored, tap on the underside of the glass along the line with a hard object like the ball end of the cutter illustrated and you will see the cut go through and the glass will fall apart. You can freehand any shape except inside corners. Circles can be cut with a special cutter or guide. Old glass is harder to cut than new glass.

Thanks Kent. Believe it or not I've never done any glass cutting. Think I'll go find a stray piece and try out your advice with the old Versatool. Its probably not going to work as delicately as a purpose-built glass cutting tool, but it should give me the general idea.

[J-sews]

Hi Bob ,

Nice chatting with you today , the above is kind of neat . I will have to rummage around a bit , I have some variation of a/the versa tool . I sent you an email to one of your addresses , check and see if I got the right one .

Got the message Doug, and replied. Looking forward to hearing about the Versatool variation also!