What's for this small blade?

Vint · **on:** April 13, 2009, 06:45:38 PM

Hello everyone.
There is my 100 years old sailor's knife. Does anybody knows what's the purpose of small blade?
Thank you

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2009, 06:47:09 PM

It looks more like an old awl to me than a blade. Since the tip is sturdier, it could be there for times when they needed to pry or drill into something, as it would save the tip of the knife.

But, that's just a guess...

Def

Benner · **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2009, 06:48:12 PM

I was thinking an awl as well.

appletree_man · **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2009, 06:48:44 PM

Isn't it for piercing cans twice

There's a thread on British Blades about these.

Flash · **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2009, 06:49:02 PM

Whatever....I think its awlesome

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2009, 06:49:32 PM

Quote from: appletree_man on April 13, 2009, 06:48:44 PM

Isn't it for piercing cans twice

Could be that too.... we need to find a hundred year old sailor and ask him!

Def

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2009, 07:04:51 PM

Yep I'd say it was an awl too

Very nice piece regardless

Mike · **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2009, 07:07:15 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on April 13, 2009, 06:49:32 PM

.... we need to find a hundred year old sailor and ask him!

Def

Dunc should be here shortly.

Mike

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2009, 07:09:45 PM

Quote from: mike on April 13, 2009, 07:07:15 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on April 13, 2009, 06:49:32 PM

.... we need to find a hundred year old sailor and ask him!

Def

Dunc should be here shortly.

Mike

cliosguy · **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2009, 07:27:38 PM

Quote from: mike on April 13, 2009, 07:07:15 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on April 13, 2009, 06:49:32 PM

.... we need to find a hundred year old sailor and ask him!

Def

Dunc should be here shortly.

Mike

appletree_man · **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2009, 08:16:23 PM

There's a bit about it in this thread.
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63126&page=2

sardauker · **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2009, 09:47:31 PM

opening shells?
it remembers me oysters knives :/

Dunc · **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2009, 10:23:14 PM

Quote from: mike on April 13, 2009, 07:07:15 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on April 13, 2009, 06:49:32 PM

.... we need to find a hundred year old sailor and ask him!

Def

Dunc should be here shortly.

Mike

As I read this thread I knew that was coming

I have a very old knife that was my Grandfathers that has a blade like this . When I get time I'll take some photos .

Dunc

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2009, 01:37:08 AM

It's a can opener. The stud rests on the rim of the can and the blade is levered upwards through the lid.

nuphoria · **Reply #14 on:** April 14, 2009, 01:39:17 AM

Clever (but slightly lethal in my hands) little gadget. I think you could use it for almost any of the guesses made quite easily!

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #15 on:** April 14, 2009, 01:51:37 AM

It was a very common pattern prior to the "safety" style openers like the Wenger claw style and the Victorinox pattern...which push the jagged edges inwards.

AAPK-British and Commonwealth Military Knives

Smitty44 · **Reply #16 on:** April 14, 2009, 06:21:31 AM

Welcome to the forums Vint,and thanks for sharing the story,very interesting peace of history.

&

Benner · **Reply #17 on:** April 14, 2009, 11:52:56 AM

Well done Spork.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2009, 04:24:36 PM

Quote from: Benner on April 14, 2009, 11:52:56 AM

Well done Spork.

My head is stuffed with bits of cutlery trivia...sometimes it is useful

Neil · **Reply #19 on:** April 15, 2009, 02:09:26 AM

So what were you forced to consume to get that shot then

Nice shot it is too I might add.

Neil

ausjulius · **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2009, 01:11:51 AM

you open the can with it.... ive found these openers to be rather a beast to use , but they are far quicker than the ones on the vick and other modern pocket knives..
.