Fenix has just come out with their second version of the E12.
Three connected tools:
1. Fenix E12 Version 2 Single AA flashlight on key chain (compared to the Teralux LightStar 100) at top.
2. Rambler Swiss Army Knife
2. Tritium (Wiki) key chain light - not glow in the dark, but rather on 24/7.
Three connected tools:
1. Teralux LightStar100 Single AA flashlight
2. Rambler Swiss Army Knife
YouTube: Best keychain multitool under $40 and 45g (1.5oz) for featherlight everyday carry (EDC), 14:30 - Rambler @5:23
2. Tritium (Wiki) key chain light - not glow in the dark, but rather on 24/7.
| Three connected tools. 1. AA Mini Mag with very efficient Teralux conversion to LED 2. Swiss Army Knife 2. Tritium (Wiki) key chain light - not glow in the dark, but rather on 24/7.  |
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Classic
I learned of these at a Harley-Davidson dealership in Oakland.
Great tool to keep in the glove compartment of your car.
I have used for numerous repairs both automotive and at home or visiting.
Pictured in the teeth is a Thumb Nut which was part of the terminals on a No. 6 Dry Cell. They were used for telephones, alarms, toys, flashlights, Western Union Clocks and many other applications. Probably the most common battery of the first 50 years of dry batteries.
YouTube: Inside Leatherman: Why America's Most Rejected Invention Changed the World, 24:05 -
4238862 Pocket multiple tool, Timothy S. Leatherman, 1980-12-16, 7/128; 81/424; 81/427.5 -
4744272 Foldable tool, Timothy S. Leatherman, Leatherman Tool Group, 1988-05-17, - handles have a 1:1 mechanical advantage to jaws
5697114 Folding multi-tool, Herman J. McIntosh, Ken E. Griffey, Greg Cook, Larry Hinchman, Leatherman Tool Group, 1997-12-16, -
Leatherman Free T4
The key feature is that you can open and close all the tools using only one hand. Leatherman tools with "FREE" in the name can be operated with one hand. A big part of this is the use of magnets.
Leatherman patents with magnets
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
20160176035 Multipurpose tool, Zach Heise, Leatherman Tool Group, 2017-06-20, - magnet option for classic tool
20170348830 Multipurpose tool having accessible tool members, Adam Lazenby, Benjamin C. Rivera, Jeffrey B. Castro, Leatherman Tool Group, 2022-04-05, -
20190381647 Tool having one or more rotatable tool members, Adam Lazenby, Matthew Brown, Leatherman Tool Group, 2021-02-23, -
20210127799 Watch Band
20230249321 ARC
Their web page shows ERROR 15 and there's no way to contact them.
Access deniedError 15sogknives.com2026-09-27 22:26:17 UTC
Power Pliers
Patents -
5809599 Compound pliers tool with linked handles, Spencer Frazer, SOG Speciality Knives and Tools, 1998-09-22, - Handles have compound mechanical advantage to jaws. Handles marked:
Power Plier (R)
Compound Leverage
Pat. Pend.
SOG (R) Speciality Knives and Tools
Edmonds, WA
Although I own a number of multipurpose tools, I carry theClassicRambler Swiss army knife. It is very versatile and has been used for all kinds of useful tasks. Although many of the tools on this page will fit into your pants pocket they are much too heavy to carry all the time. TheClassicRambler Swiss army knife has an attachment point for a key ring and is light enough to actually carry.
The Rambler is the same length as the Classic but has an additional blade with a Philips screwdriver tip, a bottle opener and a notch for stripping wires.
Trailfinder Victorinox German Army Knife (O.8463.MW3)
This is based on a request from the German army that wanted the main blade to be opened by using only one hand. Note the Leatherman Free T4 allows opening and closing all the tools using only one hand.
Tools: Blade, large with wavy edge / Can opener | Screwdriver 3 mm / Bottle opener, lockable | Screwdriver 7 mm | Wire stripper / Reamer, punch / Wood saw / Phillips screwdriver 1/2 / Key ring / Can opener / Bottle opener, lockable
The Trailfinder (SAK Wiki:0.8463.MW3: One handed (OH) partially serrated (PS) blade, black) is the civilian version (no year stamped on main blade) of the Swiss Army Knife Soldier 2008 (SAK Wiki) where the model number starts: 0.8461.
The box is marked O.8463.MMW3
The screwdrivers have a much stronger feel than those on the Rambler.
But this is a 111mm size, much much larger than the Rambler.
Forgot to open the Awl blade next to the Phillips screwdriver and the saw in the top photo.
Victorinox lists this in the "Large" class.
Models with the one hand main blade include: Hunter Pro, Ranger Boatsman NW Grip, Rescue Tool MW, Ranger 57 M Grip, Ranger 79 M Grip, Ranger 78 M Grip, Trailfinder, Skipper Pro, Swiss Soldier's Knife 08, Forester M Grip, Hunter XT Grip, Sentinel Clip, Hunter Pro M Alox, Sentinel One Hand, Alpiner Grip, Trailfinder (0.8463.MW94)
YouTube: Most Used Military Knife In the world! Victorinox Soldiers Knife, 11:30 -
Spyderco
Louis Sal Glesser of Spyderco invented (4347665) the hole in blade instead of the fingernail or post methods. The first knife with this feature was the CO1 Worker. The patent expired in 2001, so OK for use on the German Army Knife (GAK).
9517569 Pocket tool, in particular a pocket knife, Carl Elsener, Victorinox AG, 2016-12-13, - German Army Knife
CH289030 can opener
Spork (Wiki) combines spoon and fork.
Light My Fire - Sweden
19 gramms (0.7 oz)
D633344 Spork, Joachim Nordwall, Light My Fire Sweden AB, 2011-03-01, -
as of 2026 Sep 12 the Ka-Bar web page shows no multi-tools.
Opinel (YouTube, Wiki)
Low cost folding knifes.
3798766 Folding pocket knife, Jean Opinel, 1974-03-26, - rotating ferrule can lock blade open or closed as well as attach optional fork or spoon.No. 8 Mushroom Knife with Brush
The sleeve rotates to lock blade either in the open position or the closed position. Top photo shows sleeve with notch over blade, i.e. not locked.
Small hole near brush for lanyard.
Do not know why the back of the blade has a texture. See Fig. 1 below.
Opinel makes many knives that are the No. 8 size, including the optional fork and spoon (Opinel: Picnic Inserts Set) that plug into the sleeve with the blade in the closed position, then are locked by rotating the sleeve.
YouTube: The Workbench: The Opinel Mushroom Knife A Knife that is good for more than just hunting mushrooms!, 9:52 -
No 102 Paring & Vegetable Kitchen Knives
Notice that the Vegetable knife has a curved blade and also has the textured edge opposite the blade, the same as the Mushroom knife.
Why the texture on curved blades? Let me know. Ans: Jimping improves control when touched by the hand.
But why on some knives but not others?
PS Do not put wooden handled knives in the dish washer.
Swedish company makes hand forged logging tools.
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| Gabriel
Branby (video)
CEO of Gränsfors
Bruks AB
Gränsfors make one the finest forged axes in the world. It has become more than just an axe. It is an icon for quality and a belief that there is another way of making things. |
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I've had this for some time and used it for cutting copper pipe, but then got the optional plastic cutting wheel E5272 (Ridgid chart) to make cutting PVC pipe much easier. I tried to grind down the metal cutting wheel but that did not work.
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
2630029 Combination tube working tool and reamer, George E Franck, Imperial Brass Manufacturing Co, 1953-03-03, -
Included this patent that explains why the rollers have a notch. Prior patents for pipe cutters show solid rollers.
"These rollers have grooves or notches 3' for receiving an external flange frequently formed on the end of a tube."
2871733 Reaming tool, William A Lauck, Ridge Tool Co, 1959-02-03, -
Note this pipe cutter does not have the fast open close ratchet mechanism.
3022575 Tubing cutter, Clyde E Wright, Ridge Tool Co, 1962-02-27, -
This example is marked Super VK-30 Japan.
The guillotine is faster than the pinch wheel pipe cutter above, but it can easily make an angle cut if the operator is not careful. Pipes that have thick walls and/or larger diameters require more hand strength.
Cap 38mm (1-1/2")
Blade marked VKS-30.
5129158 Plastic pipe cutter, John A. Campagna, Rex International, 1992-07-14, -
| I've had this pocket knife for many
decades. It's big and heavy so not practical to carry
in your pocket on a daily basis. The bail (like on a one gallon paint can) has fallen off (black hole in wood grip). The brass oval name plate says "Case". On the knife blade "Case XX, U.S.A." and on the other side "12031L" 3317996 Knife bolster assembly, Paolantonio Antonio, Colonial Knife Co, 1967-05-09, - bolster covers the pin that holds the knife together without showing pin Barlow (Wiki) pattern. |
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This is a well used & abused utility knife that has a number of useful features. Contemporary Utility Knives (Wiki)
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
Fig 5
Fig 6
Fig 7 Stanley Utility Blades 11-921L
50 blade wall mount dispenser.
2870537 Pocket safety knife, Ortner Samuel, 1959-01-27, - this is the general idea, but this one uses a blade with many holes and notches.
3316635 Scoring knife, George W Merrow, Robert F Mckee, Robert F West, Stanley, 1967-05-02, - "...knife handle which cooperates with an adjustable blade to break off the dull used sections thereof..."
3448518 Knife, Harry Sklar, 1969-06-10, - blades come all attached to each other, you break off the old blade - Segmented blade or "snap-off blade" - I remember using one of these.
3518758 Utility knife with movable and rotatable blade, Robert A Bennett, 1970-07-07, - almost the modern blade. Trapezoid shape with 3 notches.
3577637 Retractable blade knife, Paul A Braginetz, Philip Morris, 1971-05-04, - trapezoid blade with 2 notches. Handel stores spare blade.
3593417 Hand tool having a holder for spare blades and the like, Robert F West, Robert S Hyde, Stanley, 1971-07-20, - trapezoid blade with 2 notches, handle stores a number of blades. Classic thumb slide to expose blade.
While not really a pocket tool this is the closest web
page. After seeing a review by BigCliveDotCom on YouTube:
Fig 1 parts as received
Fig 2 Install the bar position screw
Fig 3 The overall bar length is 7-1/4"
(18.4cm).
The cutting length is 5-1/2" (14 cm).
The bar is marked: 18.5 cm/4"; 38 x 1/4" P
Fig 4
Some major brands are offering these one hand electric chain
saws & classical battery electric chain saws.
Bosch
EasyCut 12 with nanoBlade (AvE video)
Milwaukee
M12 Fuel Hatchet - 5-1/2" cutting length, but you can
install the Milwaukee pole saw b
Stihl
GTA 26 Pruner - (YouTube) - MSA-120,
12", (YouTube)
Makita
XCU06 18V 10" - (YouTube) - built-in
oiler and chain brake but not as powerful as other electric
chainsaws like the EGO 18" Cordless (YouTube).
EGO Power+ 14" CS1401 - uses the standard EGO 56 V battery that comes in different AH ratings.
Torque
Electric motors are capable of a lot of torque but to do that they need a lot of current. For an example where the battery, with plenty of Amp Hours, would not perform because it had limited current output see the Tamiya Grasshopper and the video "Duratrax Sprint 2 ESC Problem when Starting".
Milwaukee now has some of their batteries rated for High Output for just this reason.
It may be the case that a "high output" battery would allow the Makita XCU06 to be stronger.
YouTube: Best Cordless Chainsaw - Head-2-Head Test -
Fig 1 |
I made a cardboard box to store the saw, it's
manuals, tools and oil for the chain (gallon jug) and gas
(small bottles). |
Hollow Ground Ward Screw Drivers
made by
Hand Tool Rescue
Large, Medium & Small sizes.
Noticed that these were hollow ground in the YouTube: Bird Cannon [Restoration], 34:28 - B. M. Lawrence & Co - so found them.
Note most flat blade screwdrivers and not "hollow ground" (Wiki) and so are a poor choice for removing stubborn screws, like in this video.
The "Perfect Handle" (Wiki) was patented by William Ward for H D Smith & Co.
Available from Hand Tool Rescue (YouTube).
They also make the Charles E. Billings D26111 Adjustable Wrench.
737179 Screw-driver, William S Ward, H D Smith & Co, 1903-08-25, -
D37214 screw-driver, William S Ward, H D Smith & Co, 1904-11-08, - From their web page: "The blade on the screwdriver is now a consistent width, unlike the tapered design of most modern screwdrivers, to assist in removal of countersunk screws. The blade tip also has a hollow-ground design ensuring 1/10in/2.5mm of the tip is parallel, allowing for maximum engagement with the fastener. The handle has been re-positioned so that it is perpendicular with the blade to allow for increased strength when using the screwdriver for prying. The handle has also been designed to encapsulate the handle scales, so that even without brass pins, the wooden (solid cherry) scales will stay in place. The square shaft allows you to use wrenches to increase the amount of torque you can apply to the fastener if they are really stuck!"
YouTube: Is this the greatest screwdriver of all time?, 2:46 - Making this screwdriver - and a description of the features.
Inspired by YouTube: America Copied Germany’s WWII Shovel — But Missed The Genius One feature Every Soldier Needed, 19:12 - The German tool used a Bakelite nut and the US version used an Aluminum nut. The aluminum galled and was smaller in diameter so harder to tighten.
993015 Military intrenching-tool, Ernst Benkt Bengtsson, 1911-05-23, - Sweeden
2830307 Entrenching tool, Richard R Worden, 1958-04-15, - US M-1951 has pick and shovel blades.
3401971 Intrenching tool, Robert W Cronquist, True Temper Corp, 1968-09-17, - Ames tri-fold
As received the blade opens like any other folding knife, BUT, it is almost impossible to close. I could not push hard enough to get it to close. Needed to press into the corner of a table top. Not at all a safe thing to do. Sent back to factory on 2026-09-08 including their Knife Repair Form (pdf) and SPA (Sharpen/Polish/Adjust). More later when it comes back.
Inspired by The Metallurgist Who Warned America About the Buck 110, 23:56 -
History of the 110 -
The first foldable hunting knife that was as strong as a non-foldable. More than 15 million have been made.
Leather pouch stamped: BUCK, 110
110 Knife:
First Version
---- 2 Dot ---
BUCK
*110*
U.S.A.
-----
Variation: V5V5 ~GS:V4T1
Handle Pins: 3
It turns out that the part of a pocket knife that has changed the most over time is the can opener (Wiki) so I'm adding a paragraph about them.
Also see the P-38 type on the One Man Life Raft web page as well as the kitchen type can openers on the Receipts web page.
There are different types.
Notice that most types of can opener will not physically fit into a pocket knife.
- Twist-key (Wiki) like used on cans of coffee, corned beef (Wiki) or sardines (Wiki).
- Lever (Wiki) like used in pocket knives.
- Safety (Wiki) an improvement of the lever type.
- Rotating wheel like used in kitchens.
- The Church key (Wiki) does not remove the lid but rather punches a hole to allow beer or motor oil to be pored out of the can.
- The folding (Wiki) (see: P-38) can also lift bottle caps and be used as a flat blade screwdriver.
Pocket Knife Can Openers
1800s - 1924
The Warner (19063) and Lyman (254488) lever type can openers are the first I'm aware of being used in pocket knives. These two patents ran out prior to 1890, the introduction of the Swiss Army Knife.
For example the first generation Swiss Army Knife (Ref 14j: model 1890 SAK) used this design until 1946 (archive.org - SAAM's 91mm tools).
1924 - 1945
The Remington patent (1635649) was published in 1924 and replaced the Warner-Lyman lever type in some applications since it was an improvement.
The RS333 Boy Scout Knife is an example.
1945 -
The introduction of the Safety Can Opener (2391732) in 1945 put an end to use of lever type openers that pried up leaving sharp jagged edges on both the can and lid.
An example is the Ulster Boy Scout knife. and the MIL-K-818 American Army Knife (AAK).
To get around this patent Victorinox AG came up with a patent for different type of can opener (German: DE878608C & Swiss: CH289030)
Examples are German Army Knife (GAK), Swiss Army Knife (SAK) model 1961,
Pocket Knife Can Opener Patents
19063 Can Opener, Ezra J. Warner, Pub: 1858-01-05, Exp: 1875-01-05, - lever type 254488 Can-opener, Arthur W. Lyman, Pub: 1882-03-07, Exp: 1899-03-07, - Lever type 1635649 Can opener, Carl W Tillmanns, Remington Arms, App: 1924-07-28, Pub: 1927-07-12, Expires: 1944-07-12 - Remington 2-jaw type can opener - "...effective use on either cans with rims, or rimless cans.", Back (Fig 2) made from different steel than the blade (Fig 3).
From Ref 14a: Maybe first used on their model R3843 Humpback knife (first appeared 1924 - 1928). "...Carl Tillmanns, had been working at Boker (USA) when Remington hired him"
I think this was intended to be the MIL-K-818 knife, but then the can opener was changed.
Called "Safety Can Opener" (Ref 8.)2391732 Can opener, Michael A Mirando, Imperial Knife, App: 1944-11-07, Pub: 1945-12-25, Exp: 1962-12-25, -"Safety can opener". A big improvement over the P-38 can opener and prior lever types.
The MIL-K-818 knife was also made with stag and other scales, not just the stainless scales marked U.S. Some were marked BSA (Boy Scouts of America) and are called "4 blade pocket knives".DE878608C (eSpaceNet) Can Opener, Elsener Messerfabrik, App: 1949-07-28, Pub: 1953-06-05, - German patent
can opener & flat blade screwdriver
This came after the Safety Opener patent 2391732.CH289030 (eSpaceNet) Can Opener, Elsener Messerfabrik Carl, Victorinox AG, App: 1951-05-07, Pub: 1953-02-28, - Swiss patent
can opener & flat blade screwdriver
Can Opener & Other References
Ref 1. "DEMO" MlL-K-818 Utility Knife - U.S.G.I. SS USMC Pocket Knife, 11:23 - DO NOT OPEN TWO ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE SAME SPRING. THE SPRING MAY BREAK.
The Safety can opener was introduced on the MIL-K818 knife and so there was a requirement to stamp it "CAN OPENER" so the users would know what it was. It looks very different from the 2-prong lever type.
Ref 2. Show and Tell - MIL-K-818 "Demo" Pocket Knives, 11:49 - 1958 - 1972 the bottle opener/flat blade screw driver included a stud which may have been used as a tool for the 1903A3, M1 carbine and/or M1 Grand. The MIL-K-818D specification removed the stud.
Ref 3. Pocket Knife Can Opener Test - Old to New, 4:17 - 5 styles: Single blade, 2 each 2-jaw (small & large) 2 each modern (MIL-K-818 & Swiss Army knife).
Ref 4. The can opener: a common tool found on many pocket knives, 15:07 - 12 examples.
Ganzo uses lock from: 5737841 & hole by Spyderco (trademark?)
Ref 5. Multitool Can Opener Showdown - Victorinox, Leatherman, SOG, Gerber, Swiza, ROXON, 18:45 -
Ref 6. Knife repair videos -
Ref 7. Boy Scout Vintage Pocket Knives - Identifying and Dating folding BSA pocket knives from BSA Supply Catalogs -
Ref 8. YouTube: The U. S. Military Knife Mil-K 818- Part 1, 1944-1954, 26:57 -
0:00 Origins of the utility knifeRef 9. Post 1957 Mil K knives Pt 1, 23:40 -
3:00 Design and blade evolution
4:23 Manufacturers and markings
7:19 Mystery and unmarked knives
9:28 Post-war production
12:57 Can opener patent variations
16:08 Ulster and Camillus examples
20:25 Commercial and fantasy pieces
26:03 Recap and conclusion
@ 1:36 Mil Specs from Ref 11 & Internet searchRef 10. Post 1957 Mil K knives Pt 2, 29:26 - All stainless steel version
@3:14 made during W.W.II -typically ID marked on clevis, not blade.
Year
Title
Spec
1937 Utility Knife Standard
17-170A
1944
First all metal Utility Knife
na
1948
Knife Standard
MIL-J-818
1955
" " revised
MIL-K-818-A
1960
" " revised MIL-K-818-B 1961
" " revised MIL-K-818-C 1985
" " revised MIL-K-818-D 1985 Sep 30
A-A-59100
@8:23 post 1957
Ref 11. Military Knives, a Reference Book (Google), pg 244 - 2026Sep30 On Order
Ref 12. CAMILLUS U.S. MILITARY UTILITY KNIFE, 13:56 -
00:00 Introduction — Camillus U.S. Military Utility KnifeRef 13. The Army Issued a Pocket Knife That Looked Like a Scout Knife — It Was Built for Work, Not Fighting, 19:48 - AI slop
00:36 History & The "Demo Knife" Name
01:23 WWII Models & U.S. Military Service
02:46 Three Examples & Overall Construction
04:11 Blades & Tools
05:36 The Brittle Back Spring Problem
05:48 My 1961 Example & The Broken Spring
08:32 The 1968 Birthday Knife
09:40 How to Safely Open the Implements - do not open two blades on the same spring
11:00 Buying These Knives on Auction Sites
11:38 Size, Weight & Blade Specifications
12:03 Collecting Camillus Military Utility Knives
12:25 U.S.-Made Camillus vs. Modern Copies
13:09 Final Thoughts
00:00 Two knives on a workbenchRef 14. Rover Haven Blog web pages:
01:30 "Knife, Pocket, General Purpose" — the official name
02:11 MIL-K-818: four blades, only one called a cutting blade
03:35 Did the Army borrow the scout knife? - the Myron Erickson reference is to a web page about the Model 1961 Soldier Swiss Army Knife (SAK) made from 1962 through 2008.
04:30 Kingston and the WWII Marine Corps utility knife
05:13 Camillus and the missing years before 1957
06:12 Why the can opener has its name stamped on it
07:15 Why a can opener at all — and the clevis
08:17 The leather punch and the world that changed
08:52 The screwdriver, the stiff spring and the lifting stud
10:15 Why all stainless steel?
11:25 A product vs. a specification
12:02 12 million or 15 million?
12:29 NSN class 1095 vs 5110 — how the government filed it
13:45 The "demo knife" story: myth vs. paperwork
15:25 The MC-1 — the knife people confuse with this one
16:16 From MIL-K-818 to A-A-59100
17:55 How to examine one before you believe the story
18:58 What this knife says about military life
Ref 14a. Song of the Humpback: Collecting the BÖKER 182 and other Humpback 6-Bladed Scout Camp Knives -Ref 15. How To Use Vintage Army Knife Can Openers "Lobster Claw" & "Potato Digger" Styles..., 6:59 - WRONG. The hook on the end of both openers should be over the can rim, not on the lid!
Ref 14b. Song of the Humpback, Part 2: The Sportmesser Turns 100 -
Ref 14c. Song of the Humpback, Part 3: The New Traditional Series from Boker -
Ref 14d. Through the Decades: Collecting the Boker 9361 Scout/Utility Knife, Part 1 - 6-blades good,4-blades better?
Ref 14e. Through the Decades: Collecting the Boker 9361 Scout/Utility Knife, Part 2 -
Ref 14f. Darmok, with Flags Unfurled! Collecting the Camillus Semaphore Scout Knives of the 1920's - 40's.
Ref 14g. Darmok with Flags Unfurled, Part 2: Rare Semaphore Scout Knives -
Ref 14h. Collecting the Model 1961 Soldier Knife, Part 1: Meet the Pioneer, the Speedy Pro of the SAK World. -
Ref 14i. Collecting the Model 1961 Soldier Knife, Part 2: Fun and Affordable Collectibility meets Swiss Made - v1: 1962 - 1964, v2: 1965 - 1971, v3: 1973 - 1977, v4: 1977- 1988, v5: 1989 - 1993, v6 (v7?): 1993 - 2008, Dutch Army Knife,
Ref 14j. Collecting the Model 1961 Soldier Knife, Part 3: Scout Pattern Knives - Victorinox Model 1890 Soldier Knife, Pioneer,
Ref 14k. Collecting the Model 1961 Soldier Knife, Part 4: The Camillus Model 1760. an American SAK - "...because the back spring for the screwdriver was designed to be stiffer,...Because of this, the implement can be difficult to open with your fingernail alone." MIL-K-818, AAK vs SAK,
Ref 14l. Collecting the Model 1961 Soldier Knife, Part 5: All Together Now -
Ref 16. Target Study: Can Opener - history of the can opener
Ref 17. SAK Wiki - Soldier 1890 (100mm) - Soldier 1951 (93mm) - Soldier 1961 (Ablox, 93mm) - Soldier 2008 (dual density scales, 111mm, GAK)
This was the can opener being used prior to the MIL-K-818 as can be seen in patent 2332656.
Remington RS3333 (Probably Remington Scout since other Remington knife models start with a single letter R.)
Boy Scouts of America 1924 - 1933
Round Remington Boy Scout shield "Be Prepared" after 1939. (Ref 7.)
BSA No. 1496.
This carbon steel knife shows the rust that causes the MIL-K-818 to be all stainless steel construction. The broken scales also was the precursor to stainless steel scales.
The can opener is stamped: Remington Pat No 1635649
Fig 1
Fig 2
This is very similar to the Remington BSA pocket knife, except it has the Safety Can opener instead of the Remington patent style.
This one was made by Ulster, probably after 1963 since the BSA seal is round.
Note has the same four blades as the MIL-K-818.
Note all four blades open at the same time. You can see the springs poking out at the bottom ends.
Many of these were purchased by the U.S. government and so can be called American Army Knives (AAK).
NSN: 5110-00-162-2205
Blade Length: 3-1/4"
Closed Length: 3-5/8"
Four blades stainless steel multi-tool (Wiki).
Called: Scout (military and/or BSA), "Demo" (rumored used in Demolition kits, but is not at all "non-magnetic"), "Milk" (pronounce the acronym MIL-K), "Soldiers Knife"
There are now many knock-off versions of this knife. Some of the original manufacturers were:
Case (Wiki)
Camillus (Wiki) - maybe 15 million of the MIL-K-818 knives.
Western (Wiki)
Queen City Cutlery (History)
Also known As Camillus 1760.
In the above photos only one blade per spring is opened. I saw a few of these with broken springs because two blades on the same spring had been opened. This is a design flaw.
Fig 1
Fig 2
Note in Fig 1 the bottle opener - flat blade screwdriver has a thumb pin (stud). Not the can opener like in patent 2332656 below. Ref 2 says the pin was a tool for use on the 1903A3, M1 carbine and/or M1 Grand. The MIL-K-818D specification removed the stud. Ref 10 says this is pre 1972 which would mean MIL-K-818C. If you have a reference for this please Let Me Know.
ww2 Springfield rifle Takedown Tool USGI 1903 1903A3 1903A4 seco mfg - 2026 Oct 2 on order.
On pdf page 25 of publication No. 1923, Description and Rules for the Management of the United States Rifle Caliber .30, Model of 1903 it states regarding the take down tool: "The pin serves as a drift in removing the butt plate cap, ejector, floor plate catch, sear and trigger pins, and the lower band spring."
4819289 Rifle field service tool, Philip W. Gibbs, Camillus Cutlery, App: 1988-07-15, Pub: 1989-04-11, Exp: 2008-07-15, _ for M-16/AR-15 and similar
The soldiers were used to the Remington style can opener (1635649) and the new (2391732) can opener looks similar to the old bottle opener, so the MIL-K-818 specification required that it be marked "CAN OPENER".
The clevis (Wiki) (aka: Shackle (Wiki) or Bail (Wiki)) on this example is made from sheet metal, i.e. not made from wire. That would allow marking it with the manufacturer and year, which was an alternate to marking the main blade (which is the case here), see Fig 1.
2332656 Knife, Michael A Mirando, Imperial Knife, 1943-10-26, -
This appears to be an early version of the MIL-K-818 knife.
It uses a very old Remington 2-jaw can opener (1635649). Note the stud (48) on the can opener (42)... " the tang of the blade toward the end thereof. Said couple urges the blade towards a bead B of a can and causes the base of the stud (48) to press against said bead. This, in turn, causes the cutting edge (59) to engage the top T of the can as close to the bead B as the can-opener blade will permit. By cutting this close to the bead, a shearing operation is performed on a portion of the top Which is relatively rigidly supported and material of the can top will be sheared rather than torn or ruptured."
Swiss Army Knife Model 1961
These are real Swiss Army Knifes since they were issued by the Swiss government to all their soldiers. It's also called the soldier's knife.
There were a number of versions starting with the model of 1890. See Ref 14.
See Collecting the Model 1961 Soldier Knife Parts 1 (Ref 14h ) to 5.
Looking for the Swiss can opener patent with a rounded cutting edge (also has a small screw driver).
Victorinox Dual Knife Sharpener P.B2900
Dual because it has a small two crossed ceramic rod sharpener and also a stone.
I have a number of knife sharpeners for kitchen size knives, but they do not work with the small blades of pocket knives.
I used it on my Every Day Carry (EDC) SAK Rebel by first drawing the blade across the rods a couple of times then a couple to passes on each side with the stone and non it's very sharp.
Fig 1
Fig 2
Appears to use the Spyderco hole in the blade for opening. The lock operates similar to the Benchmade Axis Lock, but the Ganzo is much simpler. Both patents have expired, hence the below $25 total cost vs. hundreds for brand name knives.
The blade can be opened using the Spyderco hole or by holding back the latch and flicking your wrist. It can also be closed by the same method.
Fig 1 Blade: 440c
Fig 2
449499 Pocket Knife, William Schmachtenberg, 1891-03-31, -
584077 Lock-blade knife, Joseph P. Jackson, 1897-06-08, - finger on spring fits notch on blade. Snaps closed after 90 degree rotation.
3317996 Knife bolster assembly, Paolantonio Antonio, Colonial Knife Co, 1967-05-09, -
3568315 Folding knife having closure arresting means, Franklin G Smith, Gerber Legendary Blades, 1971-03-09, - does not snap shut like 584077. Cutting edge is not part of what stops blade.
4040181 Locking blade knife, Lawrence P. Johnson, Western Cutlery, 1977-08-09, - a totally enclosed and protected spring mechanism,
4347665 Pocket knife, Louis S. Glesser (Wiki: Spydeerco), 1982-09-07, (expires 2001-05-11) - instead of a fingernail notch or post, the blade has a hole to allow one hand opening. Spyderco
also used on the
Trailfinder (O.8463.MMW3)
The Spyderco and Wiki web pages say the founder was Sal Glesser, but the patent is to Louis S. Glesser. The "S." stands for Sal.
The German patent DE3834295C2 also shows Louis S. Glesser as do many other patents for knife related inventions.
D333253 Handle for a folding knife, Lonnie C. Pogue, Buck Knives, 1993-02-16, -
5511310 Folding knife, George C. Sessions, Bradford J. Parrish, Fiskars Brands, 1996-04-30, - wire spring separate from solid locking bar
5737841 Pocket knife with lock, William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams, Mentor Group, 1998-04-14 (expires 2016-07-12), Cites 48; cited by 190.
Benchmade Axis Lock
5755035 Blade lock mechanism for folding knife, James S. Weatherly, Benchmade Knife Co, Pub: 1998-05-26; Exp: 2016-11-21, - Cites 10, Cited by 98
This is a liner lock (Wiki)
9943970 Rotational wedge locking mechanism for a folding knife, Louis Sal Glesser, Spyderco, 2018-04-17, -
The History of Pocket Knives: The Last 50 Years of Innovation, 8:12 - @3:08 2001 Spyder Para-military
20200001476 Axis lock knife with ball bearings, David S. Allen, Roy A. Gonzalez, William C. Harris, Utica Cutlery Co, 2020-01-02, - has the look and feel of the Ganzo G729-GY.
Bayonets -
Flashlight Patents
Global cutting knife
Knife Sharpening
One Man Life Raft - P-38 Hand Can Opener - Ontario 10-76 Air Force Pilot Survival Knife -
Rigging Marlinspike - Pedometers -
Rosle can opener
FN FAL Solingen Bayonet
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