What is it ????

[riverdive]

Here is an interesting knife for you. My research found it possibly was made 1850. Curious as to what its purpose is. Its 3.25" long, 8 blades, one does not close all the way but the rest all snap in nicely.

[knife7knut]

It is a multiblade quill knife used to sharpen quill pens. Bernard Levine shows one in his book made in France and called a secret knife . That one had a secret release to allow the blades to open. Possibly the reason the blade wont close is because your knife has a similar release. More likely the tang is worn.

[galvanic1882]

Sweet knife

[riverdive]

It is a multiblade quill knife used to sharpen quill pens. Bernard Levine shows one in his book made in France and called a secret knife . That one had a secret release to allow the blades to open. Possibly the reason the blade wont close is because your knife has a similar release. More likely the tang is worn.

Thanks, that's interesting. So it probably would date back to the early 19th century. Not sure why so many blades needed to do that??

[robpa]

Kind of knife I would probably not look twice at in a box, but now Ill look harder for these things. its cool.

[1967redrider]

That is a very cool HOK.