Pocket knives are one of the most useful inventions in history. These handy little tools have been around for thousands of years, and are still in use today.
They are a staple in most people’s everyday carry. They’re also extremely versatile and have a number of different uses. Whether you need to open a bottle of wine or remove some clothing to check for injuries, a pocket knife is always ready for the job.
The oldest known knife was found in Hallstatt
A pocket knife with a bone handle was found in Hallstatt, Germany, dating back to 600-500 BC. This was the oldest known knife at that time.
The Hallstatt Culture was a Bronze Age culture that was located in Europe. This culture lasted from about 800 to 500 BCE.
During this period, people were cremated and buried in simple graves. Eventually, this changed and tumulus burials became common.
These changes occurred because of a dramatic social stratification that was taking place. Chieftains were gaining power and prestige.
As a result, they started to introduce new technology and design into their culture. One of the ways they did this was by borrowing designs from horsemen cultures in the east.
The first folding knife was invented in England
The first folding knife was invented in England by Obadiah Barlow around 1670. These knives had comfortable tear drop shaped handles with long bolsters and had a clip point blade or blades attached at the small end of the handle.
They were made of carbon steel and were aimed at mass production. They were inexpensive and less likely to need resharpening, making them a popular choice for the working class.
Several of the designs that are still popular today were originally developed in Sheffield, England. These designs included a slip joint that used friction to keep the blade closed and required pressure from the hand to open it, a backspring with a hook that snaps into a corresponding notch in the blade when fully opened, and a spring assisted locking mechanism.
Some of these designs have become popular today as tactical folders. These knives are essentially the same as normal pocket knives, except they have a clip that clips to your pocket and a spring-assisted mechanism that opens quickly.
The first slip joint knife was invented in Sheffield
The first slip joint knife was invented in Sheffield, England, around the 1660s. During the Middle Ages, Sheffield developed a legendary metalwork industry and specialized in producing blades for pocket knives.
During that time, cuttinglers in England began experimenting with modifications that would lock the pocket knife blade in place while in use and keep it closed when not in use. By the mid-1600s, these innovations had become standard.
A slip joint knife has a joint around which the blade pivots on one side of the handle, and a flat bar called a back spring on the other. When the blade is rotated open, its tang rotates against the back spring and pressure from the spring keeps it open.
Many variations of the slip joint folding knife were developed, including the peanut, sodbuster, camper, canoe, sunfish and whittler. They’ve been carried by soldiers, sailors, tradesmen, explorers, campers, hikers and airmen for centuries, and are still widely available today.
The first Swiss Army Knife was invented in 1890
A red handle, a small white cross, and fold-out tools for every job—the pocket knife is an icon of utility and smart design that has been embraced by hikers, campers, and explorers all over the world. The iconic tool has made its way into countless books, movies, and TV shows, and is an essential part of the toolbox of almost every craftman or mechanic.
In 1890, the Swiss Army began producing a standard-issue knife for its soldiers. This first model, called the Modell 1890, had a blade, a reamer, and a tin-opener.
When Karl Elsener, who had bought the company, took over production in 1891, he improved the design by using a spring mechanism that allowed tools to be attached on both sides of the knife handle. He then created the ‘Swiss Officers and Sports Knife’ in 1897 that featured an additional blade, a corkscrew, and wood grips.
When Elsener’s mother died in 1909, he changed the company’s name to ‘Victoria’, combining it with ‘inox’, an abbreviation for ‘acier inoxydable’ (French for stainless steel). Victorinox is still one of Switzerland’s leading producers of the multi-tool pocket knife.