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Wow!!!
By Stuart Woledge
Published: 12:57 EDT, 3 October 2013 | Updated: 13:08 EDT, 3 October 2013
A device described as the 'mother of all Swiss Army knives' has gone on display,
which features more than 100 tools.
The incredible multi-tool boasts everything from a piano tuner to a .22-caliber revolver.
Owned by the Smithsonian Institution and on display at the Buffalo Bill Centre of the
West in Wyoming, USA, the 'handy pocket knife' is just the tool for the typical 19th
century gentleman.
Tooled up: With more than 100 implements, this knife would have something
for every conceivable scenario.
Exquisite: A razor blade is extended at the bottom of the picture, next to a
beautifully made pair of scissors.
It includes a serrated blade, two dagger blades, several different types of shears
and scissors and a corkscrew.
Other features necessary for the hardy outdoors types during the turbulent days of
the Wild West, include two saws, a lancet, button hook, cigar cutter, tuning fork,
pens, a mechanical pencil, mirror, straight razor, a cheese fork and a butter knife.
But one modern convenience the user would have to do without is the bottle opener,
because the bottle cap as we know it today wasn't invented until 1892.
The exquisite craftsmanship on the tortoise-shell handle even covers a selection
of concealed miniature tools, from folding knives and scissors to a cut throat razor.
Craftsmanship: The exquisite knife was meticulously designed and even includes
a cheese fork.
Mother of all knives: The pocket knife was made in 1880 and predates the
Swiss Army Knife by 11 years.
Made in Germany in 1880 for JS Holler & Co's cutlery store in New York City,
the beautifully crafted knife predates the Swiss Army knife by 11 years.
According the Smithsonian website the knife - which is 3.5ins wide and 9ins long -
wasn't really meant to be carried.
It reads: 'Knives like this were made exclusively for exhibition to highlight the cutlers' art.
'They were so difficult to make they were only attempted by the most notable
firms with the most talented artisans.
'They could be seen at various fairs and industrial expositions during the 19th century.'
The term 'Swiss Army Knife' came into being after US soldiers based in Germany
during the Second World War had difficulty pronouncing the German name,
Schweizer Offiziersmesser (Swiss Officer's Knife).
Tools of the trade: Among the many implements can be seen a butter knife,
saw and pliers.
Miniature: Finished with a tortoise-shell handle, the knife has tiny tools
embedded into it.
By Stuart Woledge
Published: 12:57 EDT, 3 October 2013 | Updated: 13:08 EDT, 3 October 2013
A device described as the 'mother of all Swiss Army knives' has gone on display,
which features more than 100 tools.
The incredible multi-tool boasts everything from a piano tuner to a .22-caliber revolver.
Owned by the Smithsonian Institution and on display at the Buffalo Bill Centre of the
West in Wyoming, USA, the 'handy pocket knife' is just the tool for the typical 19th
century gentleman.
Tooled up: With more than 100 implements, this knife would have something
for every conceivable scenario.
Exquisite: A razor blade is extended at the bottom of the picture, next to a
beautifully made pair of scissors.
It includes a serrated blade, two dagger blades, several different types of shears
and scissors and a corkscrew.
Other features necessary for the hardy outdoors types during the turbulent days of
the Wild West, include two saws, a lancet, button hook, cigar cutter, tuning fork,
pens, a mechanical pencil, mirror, straight razor, a cheese fork and a butter knife.
But one modern convenience the user would have to do without is the bottle opener,
because the bottle cap as we know it today wasn't invented until 1892.
The exquisite craftsmanship on the tortoise-shell handle even covers a selection
of concealed miniature tools, from folding knives and scissors to a cut throat razor.
Craftsmanship: The exquisite knife was meticulously designed and even includes
a cheese fork.
Mother of all knives: The pocket knife was made in 1880 and predates the
Swiss Army Knife by 11 years.
Made in Germany in 1880 for JS Holler & Co's cutlery store in New York City,
the beautifully crafted knife predates the Swiss Army knife by 11 years.
According the Smithsonian website the knife - which is 3.5ins wide and 9ins long -
wasn't really meant to be carried.
It reads: 'Knives like this were made exclusively for exhibition to highlight the cutlers' art.
'They were so difficult to make they were only attempted by the most notable
firms with the most talented artisans.
'They could be seen at various fairs and industrial expositions during the 19th century.'
The term 'Swiss Army Knife' came into being after US soldiers based in Germany
during the Second World War had difficulty pronouncing the German name,
Schweizer Offiziersmesser (Swiss Officer's Knife).
Tools of the trade: Among the many implements can be seen a butter knife,
saw and pliers.
Miniature: Finished with a tortoise-shell handle, the knife has tiny tools
embedded into it.
