Prestolite torch key

[eveled]

I saw a reference to knives that had torch keys in the blades in another thread. As a plumber and a welder, it intrigued me. I've never seen a knife with a torch key. I'd love to see some pictures. For those that don't know, a torch key is just a small square hole.

Thanks Ed.

[Mumbleypeg]

Here's one on an old Crown Cutlery scout pattern. Could be handy if you had a Model T or similar vehicle with gas lights.

Ken

[gsmith7158]

Here is an old Empire with a prest-o-lite key.

[orvet]

Ed,
The Presto-Lites were the acetylene headlights on the early automobiles. My understanding is they worked kind of like a miners lamp, the key controlled the flow of water into a chamber where the calcium carbide produced acetylene when water was introduced to it.
I think that is a very rough idea of how the early headlights work. The Presto-Lite key was how you turned your headlights off and on.

[eveled]

Thanks guys. Orvet, I knew about the headlights, but didn't make the connection with the key. Makes sense now why they are in such old knives, and not very common.

Not for welding or plumbing torches, but for driving. Now I see the light.

Thanks again. I posted in the middle if the night, and still had 3 great replies by early morning. Amazing forum.

[Gunsil]

There were also acetylene lamps for use in houses and barns around the same time as it was used in the automotive industry, and there are thousands of acetylene bicycle lamps still around although the bicycle lamps work like miner's lamps and do not need a key.

[espn77]

Interesting information. I've seen them on knives and never knew what they were for.

[gsmith7158]

Here is a conversation we've had on Prest-o-lite lamps.
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=50466&p=537626&hil ... ps#p537626

[edge213]

Ed,
The Presto-Lites were the acetylene headlights on the early automobiles. My understanding is they worked kind of like a miners lamp, the key controlled the flow of water into a chamber where the calcium carbide produced acetylene when water was introduced to it.
I think that is a very rough idea of how the early headlights work. The Presto-Lite key was how you turned your headlights off and on.

It was my understanding that an actual acetylene tank was on the running board and the key was used to open the valve.
Not calcium carbide end water.

[RobesonsRme.com]

http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/articles/prest-o-lite

Charlie Noyes