These fixed blade knives were in some cases made as part of a composing set, and were most commonly kept in a composing desk. As they had for many of the eighteenth century, by the Regency, extremely ornate pen knives, of the folding, moving and repaired blade ranges, might be bought from a cutler, and even a jeweler, however the more normal designs were normally bought from the better stationery shops.
This is not unexpected, given that these areas were likewise the haunts of lots of who wrote for a living, including reporters, clerks, bankers and attorneys. This exact same pen knife was also just the important things for honing the brand-new wood-case pencils which were being mass produced throughout the Regency. This was a benefit for both the pencil makers and the pencil users.
The pencil manufacturers could market that no unique tools were needed to maintain their pencils, thus guaranteeing their real low cost. The numerous kinds of pencil sharpeners with which we recognize today were decades into the future even at the end of the Regency. A curious practice, for which I can discover no explanation, is that a 2nd blade was added to some folding pen knives.
This 2nd blade was straight and larger than the pen knife blade. It was meant for usage as a fruit knife. This was the start of the folding knife with multiple blades, which progressed beyond a basic, single function tool to become the multiplex pocket knife so popular today. However why those living in the Regency thought a fruit knife was a proper buddy for a pen knife remains their secret.
These mini knives were originally made by cutlers to demonstrate their skill and imagination, however the public became quite enamored of them. Some of these small knives had a small, great pointed hook which folded into the manage alongside the blade. shuriken for sale with of these knives were often made with silver, gold or mother-of-pearl incised with delicate decorative patterns.
These elaborate and elegant miniature knives were often intended for the work-basket of lady, who would utilize the tiny hook to unpick stitches in her needlework and the knife blade to cut threads as she plied her needle. Such bijou knives might be offered as a present from a gentleman to his woman, potentially even etched with words of love.