Blade Shape Question?

That is a "One Armed" blade. The indentation at the tip is used to catch the edge of your pants pocket so the blade can be opened.
I believe this was developed or invented between 1860 and 1865, for those who lost an arm or hand during the Civil War.
Most of the vets were farmers or tradesmen, and a pocket knife was as essential to their daily lives as trousers.
 
I’m pretty sure that this “ one armed Razor” pattern came soon after a war - now am I correct this is the USA civil war perhaps WW1?
The reason was that there were the many horrific things that happened during the war such as the loss of an arm.
The top point of the tip you see could be pushed up against a seam of your jeans - edge of your boot - edge of a anything basically then purchase the blade open - by pushing the knife away from you whilst the tip is engaged- you could still operate a folder in an otherwise impossible task if you only had one arm.

It works well - so well I enjoy using mine that way - and thankfully I have the use of both arms.

Edit : Oops sorry afishunter- we must have both been answering at the same time my friend
 
I am glad someone posed the question. I had seen them before and was a bit puzzled but never asked the question. Silly me.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
Thanks for the responses. It was a shape I always wondered about. Now that I have seen one in the closed position it kind of makes sense.
 
think of it as the wave mod, the original wave mod,,,,

LOL, Emerson has the patent? Never though about it as the original wave.
 
Thanks to OP for asking the question . . . and thanks to the many knowledgable responders.
 
The Case 05 pattern RAZ had a pen blade too, I've heard some stories of it being used as a shaving Razor in WW I. Steve Pfeiffer's book raised the question of how the "one armed man" opened the pen blade.
 
That's one blade style I've always thought was really unique and nice looking, but I've never owned one.
 
The "Stew's Blade knife is a very good version, designed by Bill at Great Eastern. Some don't work nearly as well!
But that type of knife/blade is not reserved just for "amps", but can be used to good advantage by anyone who needs to open a blade one-handed. That solution preceded the modern thumb stud I would guess. Several methods have been invented over the years. Here's a friction folder for eating. It used to belong to Stew!! (He was my wife's Dad!!).
You "rock" the blade to cut!
 

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