All About Pocket Knives

Here’s something different I saw yesterday and marked “Wm Elliot & Co Germany” on the blade.. Goins lists this from 1880-1918 - a mark of a company owned by Adolph Strauss NY. I have never seen a little knife like this - it’s a pocket knife blade that is inside a nickel silver case with cap - the little blade is attached to cap - it’s like a very small fixed blade - Knife inside casing is maybe 3-3 1/4”... anyway anybody ever see another like this ??? At first I was thinking somebody cobbled this but think (?) it is original... at end of long part of metal case is a loop so this could be attached to a chain or such... hope these photos work from my phone. Any ID, opinions etc appreciated!!! To me this is something different and never seen anything like it...

That is unusual Lee. I haven't seen one like that before.

gsmith7158 wrote:That is unusual Lee. I haven't seen one like that before.

Thanks Greg ... Unusual to my eye as well - I don’t really know German made knives very well and never saw a knife like this - I am guessing it is for real and not cobbled - I’m thinking as seen in one photo the tang of the blade was purposely extended and tapered to fit into the cap - like a fixed blade in a sense... I’m thinking of grabbing it even though I really don’t collect German knives - but unique and the right price may change my mind ...

Other comments and opinions appreciated

Now you're acting like Dimitri. I grin

wlf wrote:Now you're acting like Dimitri. I grin

... Dimitri would have 2 or more ...

I am starting to think it was an old neck knife - easily hung from a neck chain and attached at bottom of silver tube or small sheath ... ..

I have not seen a knife like this one. My guess is letter opener that could also cut up your apple for lunch. Like a letter opener on steroids. The German manufacturers liked to make 'over built' knives, 'just in case'.
But i am guessing and making this up.
Henckels (and others) made a huge array of very specific 'industry' knives to be used for a specific function. This might have had a business or industry use ? Like in head office to open the mail ?
kj

About price ? usually quite low esp. for an unknown item. $25 -$35 max i think.

Thanks KJ ... appreciate your take on this knife ... I can see how it could open a letter but it is very small - I’m sure could do it theoretically... but I’m thinking it could do alot of small light functions like cutting thread etc... Maybe an industrial or office or home use - but if it was I would expect someone may have one in their posession or had seen one ....

Lee, i think you should go back to 'store' and buy this knife. Another one might show up in the future and it's function might be known and then you might regret not buying this one. It is a neat little knife. It is o.k. to have a few 'mystery' knives.
Barry W. might know what this is.
kj

Thanks KJ ... it’s on a no pressure “hold” at the shop ... no doubt unique in a sense ...

This is a pretty unique one Lee. Unless Ray has about a dozen of them.

Ken

Thanks Ken ... Who’s Ray??

It is part of a picnic set that is designed to be carried in a knapsack or pocket.I have a couple variations on this theme.
The first one is similar to the OP's knife but is unmarked.The second one is by Edward Wusthof and feature ivory and mother of pearl inserts on the nickel silver handles.The thrird one is another unmarked one with plastic handles.The last one is from Argentina and has brass and wood handles with a partially serrated knife blade.

Oh that Ray ... ..

Very similar Ray - based on length of your knife it is much longer... Guess it’s possible the OP knife is for a picnic but the blade is so small not sure what it would efficiently cut in terms of food ... No doubt similar design though to the OP ...

LongBlade wrote:Oh that Ray ... ..

Very similar Ray - based on length of your knife it is much longer... Guess it’s possible the OP knife is for a picnic but the blade is so small not sure what it would efficiently cut in terms of food ... No doubt similar design though to the OP ...

Picnic sets don't have to be large;I have several that are quite small.Most of the folding sets rarely exceed 3 inches closed and I even have a non-folding set that is just over 4 inches long.

Thanks Ray .. Given they could be small I think you’re right ... Guess it is an interesting piece perhaps missing the fork accompaniment as a matching set ...

Britain used to make cutlery sets for small children, about age 3 and up. These are small and likely childrens' cutlery sets were also made in Germany.
kj

Good info KJ - excellent point - can very well be for a child ... I think we have this knife figured out .. if anybody has any other info, comments, examples etc to add that would be great

Dumb question, but does the small handle end fit into the case to make a long handle, like a dinner knife? Like, just turn it backwards and fit it in?

ZG - I think you may be right - I’ll check when I see it but in just looking at cap it does look the same diameter and shape - it makes sense and would no doubt make it more useful given the size ...