Large, early, multi-blade & tool knife. (Need Help Dating)

[Draac]

I picked this up, I know it's in rough shape but I like the needle type sewing tool in it, I have never seen an old tool knife with one. so I picked it up to check it out. The corkscrew is broken and long as it's with the knife, that's fine with me.

Decription From The Seller:Large, early, multi-blade & tool pocket knife. When I got this knife the blades were rusted shut. With some oild and work I got them open and working well. With main blade open the knife is nearly 8" long, 4 1/2" shut. Handles are a hard wood or perhaps horn. Cracked on 1 side but its all there. Signed on main blade but I cant make out what it says. Corkscrew is broken off but still here and could be re-attached. It is amazing that the blades are really in great condtion and not all pitted. It allmost looks like the knife was used very little when stored away. It could be cleaned up much better.

Questions: What type of date would you set on this tool/knife ?
Also, I do not have the knife yet to read the markings on the blade, maybe somebody is familiar with the markings from the photo ?

Draac

[Iron Hoarder]

Looks to be French 1900's.

[9ball]

I will agree with Iron Hoader......maybe pre 1900's.
I see them in auctions not very offen, usually 2 or 3 in a group and I just want one.
That is what I have always called or heard called a "Sail Maker's Knife". The needle was used on ships to repair sails or make one.
If you ever want to sell it or see another, I am in the market.

9ball

[cattaraugus57]

man I learn something here everyday!
I love this place and this hobby!
very nice and interesting piece there dracc!

[zed6309]

man I learn something here everyday!
I love this place and this hobby!
very nice and interesting piece there dracc!

x2 on that mate cool knife

[knife7knut]

It could be either French or German(the steel pivot pin is characteristic of German knives)and I believe it is a gardener's knife.The hawkbill and saw blades seem to indicate that.The other tool is I believe a Seton's needle;a tool that has a rather grisly task.It is used by inserting a piece of cloth soaked in medication and then pushed under the skin of sheep and other animals to prevent anthrax.I suppose it could be used in splicing trees although I don't know the exact procedure.Here is a similar knife that for some reason has a can/bottle opener on the back.The curved blade only opens 90 degrees and is supposedly used for harvesting opium poppies.No maker's name.

[cattaraugus57]

Wow! I've never seen anything like it,
thanks for posting it knife7knut.

[Draac]

Thank you all for the info, when I get the knife in hand I will read what it says on the blade. I don't see why the seller couldn't read it ?? I have a nice loop, I will get to bottom of what it says. The marking to me from the images seems to be French, in my novice opinion.

Draac

[9ball]

I go a couple of these now (Thanks Ray ), I showed them to a few folks today and I plan on taking them to a gun show tomorrow. Maybe I will run into some knife people there also. I have another opinion now, I will post the list hopefully next week.

On The Road,
9ball

[Draac]

I received the knife (First Posting) and my attempt at reading the blade marking is as such. Maybe someone will recognize it and can tell me what it really says?

Two words that look like:

RA_S (might be an I in the missing letter? A guess is RAIS)
_RENTA_ _ (A guess would be BRENTAUY?)

Draac