Quite often this type of
knife is referred to as a switch knife. The toothpick is basically a clasp
style jackknife that comes in a very compact package. This particular style of
pocket knife is found in sizes ranging anywhere from 3 to 5 inches in the
closed position. The larger toothpicks are considered to be the most
collectable and generally will have a greater value. The smaller versions
should not be confused with a “Texas ” toothpick which often referred to a large “Bowie ” style knife.
The toothpick was a knife that
was easily carried in your pocket and it was also characterized by a long clip
blade with a distinct curvature of the blade’s spine.
There were also two bladed
models and both types were mainly used as “fishing” knives and quite often
found themselves residing in someone’s tackle box or as a part of their regular
fishing gear. The long, narrow clip blade was well-suited for detailed cutting
chores such as filleting fish.
There is also some debate as
to their use as a fighting knife but this may have been more of a marketing
ploy that was created to sell more knives of this type. Unfortunately, many
people carried a wide variety of pocket knives. If an altercation developed,
the type of knife that may have been used would almost certainly have been one
that was carried on a regular basis and wouldn’t have necessarily been a
toothpick.
The popularity of toothpick
knives has declined mainly to the large quantity of filet knives now available
on the market which were better suited to the task. Many people now collect toothpicks and this has generated new interest in this style of pocket knife.
Got “Texas tickler”?
Staying above the water
line!
Riverwalker
4 comments:
The long slime profile, along with thin rear bolster makes this a favorite for pocket carry. Makes a great DIY steak knife, although the waiter may get confused, lol. Imperial made an inexepensive but very popular Toothpick fish knife, as did others - I'll bet a lot of us owned one at one time or another if we did any fishing as a kid.
Nice knife! How much cost it?
To: anonymous 7:29
I don't remember if I had one when I was younger but I do remember having a real nice "melon tester". Don't really know what happened to it but wished I still had it.
Thanks anon.
RW
To: Survival
It cost slightly less than $10(USD). It's a small toothpick with three blades which is not too common. Most toothpicks have single blades. There are several toothpicks that can also be found with two blades.
RW
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