The Underwood Multi-tool (c. 1850)

[deborahh@cosocial.ca]

@Adrenochrome @hamishb it has very old lineage!
https://techhub.social/@rayckeith/116054633059712965

[hamishb@mstdn.ca]

Wow!

@deborahh @Adrenochrome

[dean90815dean@episcodon.net]

@Adrenochrome
Like an early Swiss Army Knife, but more aesthetically pleasing.

[elithebearded@fed.qaz.red]

@Adrenochrome

I've searched for more information and found one listing of the tools:

A hook used to untie knots.
A scoop for measuring medication.
A screw starter.
A different screw starter.
A corkscrew.
A toothpick or possibly an awl.
A saw blade.
A flathead screwdriver.
A pick.
A hook to snag fishing lines.

Myself, I don't think that's a toothpick. Looks like an awl. And the last hook gives me button hook vibes, for fastening your boot and spat buttons. The scoop also seems questionable

[cathos@merveilles.town]

@Adrenochrome I'm impressed - especially by the little detents in the hinge to make the bits all stay closed or opened!

[nowhereman@troet.cafe]

@skua @Adrenochrome
But no knife, what probably means, that a knife is not needed because everyone had one. This gives me a different look on old pictures from that time.
Knifes everywhere?

[katzentratschen@mastodon.social]

@Adrenochrome At least for foldable hoofpicks, there are still similar designs around. But unfortunately without the finesse of the original. And no extra tools. I've got this model:

https://www.loesdau.de/horse-friends-hufkratzer-7116.html

[skua@mastodon.social]

@Nowhereman @Adrenochrome
Yes.
And yet "knife crime" wasn't usually seen as a big problem? (Though the Sydney razor gangs were.)

Today a lot of rural manual workers would usually have a knife still I think.

[daft_wully@mastodon.social]

@Adrenochrome A nasty piece of martial art tool, isn't it !

[tom665@mstdn.social]

@Adrenochrome It's not decades, it's millennia.
https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/learn-with-us/look-think-do/roman-swiss-army-knife

[festlicheameise@hachyderm.io]

@hamishb good point that would work well

[coldclimate@hachyderm.io]

@Adrenochrome that is delightful

[nichol@mstdn.social]

@Adrenochrome there are also roman multi tools..