"jacknife"

[kc custom]

So where did this term come from- "Jack of all trades", Lumberjack? or prior to clasp knives getting to this country were they already called jacknives?
The term seems to cover most small folders with spring backs weather the blades are on the same end or not. Question #2 which blade on multi blades do you most often see broken? Master or secondary (pen) blade?
Ken.

 

[tomcrx]

I think jack knife is an americanism. A jack is a laborer...so a laborers knife.

I usually see the secondary broken. My hypothesis is the small pen is commonly used as a screwdriver and for light prying and scraping because of it's size

 

[hwpaintballer]

Good info tomcrx, makes sense to me :thumbup:

 

[jacknife]

Jack:
One who does odd or heavy jobs; a laborer.
One who works in a specified manual trade. Often used in combination: a lumberjack; a steeplejack.

Jack knife Jackknife


I would guess the name came from it being a workman's knife too.