Unusual Large Sheffield Multi Blade

[kootenay joe]

Here is a 6" closed length knife that is marked "J. Beal/& Sons/Sheffield" and "Patent" by the hammer.
Is the frame stainless steel or nickel-silver ?
Any thoughts on age ?
There is a bit of solder near where the tip of Gimlet lies. Not sure if this is a repair or part of original assembly.
It is a substantial, solid knife/tool.
kj

[cody6268]

I have some Chinese multitool that has a hammer on it. It is big, it is clunky, and it is made out of a very low grade steel that I equate to the hardness of most cheese. That's got to be the first with a hammer (aside from things like crate openers--the Bridgeports are really good) that actually seems to be made well. And, the other end has a nail puller. And on board, you've got the gimlet, screwdrivers, a decently long wood saw, and a substantial spear point blade; in addition to the tin opener and corkscrew.

[kootenay joe]

Yes and a shell puller on back edge of screw driver blade.
It was sold to me as vintage, very early 1900's but i have some doubt about this.
However this large size (6" closed) was made as Multi Blade knives from about 1850 to early 1900's. To the best of my knowledge this size multiblade has not been made in Britain for a long time.
kj

[knife7knut]

When I first saw the picture of this knife it reminded me of those French made multi-tools that had pliers as part of the knife.It looks like the frame is either chrome or nickel plated.If it is chrome it should have a bluish tint to the finish and if it is nickel it would look more yellowish. Hard to describe.Chrome plating on automobiles became popular in the early 1930's supplanting nickel finishes which were relatively soft and easy to scratch.They also tended to dull over time.
The hammer and tack puller would seem to indicate it was used to open old wooden cigar boxes. Whatever the case it is a nice and unusual knife Roland;thanks for posting it.