Knife Pick?

[OldGoat]

Hey folks, I was scrounging around the 'bay recently and doing a search for keen kutter items and I discovered this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 4Qw44%253D

So I have a question (not the obvious one of why list it as a keen kutter when it is not) about knife picks. I looked around and discovered that they were popular long ago, even coming on watch chains with which to carry them. I see that some knives once did and even still do come with them in the box. I understand that they are used to open pocket knives.

OK. Why?? Were they designed for nail-biters? Folks who lost fingertips in industrial accidents? Lepers?

Or, more likely, for one of these reasons: 1) knives used to have really, really stout springs, 2) collectors or makers sparing their nails whilst opening hundreds of blades per day, or 3) both 1 and 2.

I'm pretty sure I have already answered my question with option 3 but was still surprised to discover them so late in my knife collecting endeavors. At any rate, I would enjoy learning more about the history of knife picks.

I also rather regret not having bid on that because it is so danged purty!

[philco]

My understanding is that knife picks were popular when the backsprings on many slipjoint knives were much stouter than most are today. Without them it took some mighty sturdy thumbnails to hold up to opening those old beartraps.


Edit: I've added some pictures from the ebay listing so that once it's gone from ebay it will still be viewable here on AAPK.

[knife-nut]

Knife openers were used by cutlers and salesmen. Usually the ones used by the cutlers were not marked. The openers used by the traveling salesmen and clerks in hardware stores, were made with advertising on them for the knife company. opening up hundreds of knives each day was too hard on your thumbnails. That OVB does not look like an opener to me. I've seen a lot of Keen Kutter pins that look just like that. I can't figure what the two little holes would be for. Levines guide to knives has some good information on pocketknife openers in it.

[Miller Bro's]

That`s the widest knife pick I have ever seen

[tjmurphy]

You reckon that knife picks could account for the chipping of the nail nicks on some knives?

[Owd Wullie]

I'd say that is a watch fob.

[Miller Bro's]

It`s made in the shape of an axe head.

I don`t think it was designed as a knife pick, although it could be used that way.

Looking at the holes at the top, it could have been used as a key ring.

[philco]

I suspect that the nail nick on one side is a clue to its use and original configuration. If there is a nail nick, logic dictates that the "blade" was tucked inside a handle of some sort. Beyond that I'm totally clueless.

Phil

[Owd Wullie]

After looking at the pictures again, I don't think that is a "nail nick". I think it is part of the casting representing where the handle would go through the axe head.

[JoeBob441]

I thought it was a nail nick to, but I believe you are right. Whoever owns it is right proud of it if it would not sell for $103. Must be more to the story.

Joe

[Gunsmoke47]

Could it be something as simple as a paint can opener? That piece was one of many different functional items all tied together using the 2 holes at the top (something similar to a Swiss army knife) The nail nick was there for ease of extracting that particular tool.