Odd knife

[edbutrym]

I've had a pair of these around for quite a while and don't even know where they might have come from. Anybody know what they were used for? They are 6.5 inches overall, with 3.5 of that being the handle. No markings on the blades, but "PAT.DEC..15.'85" is pressed or branded into the handles. Blades are a very thin spring steel, somewhere between steel strapping and a double edge razor blade. When laid flat, with the arc of the curve resting on the table and the blade pointing away from you, the left edge is almost razor sharp. Don't know whether they're kitchen tools or meant for some other trade. Here's some pix, I hope they get thru.

Untitled

• edbutrym
• 1 Dec 2010
• 1

Untitled

• edbutrym
• 1 Dec 2010
• 1

Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.

 

[Deluks]

Guess: For scooping out melons or pumpkins

 

[joinerjohn]

Obviously ceremonial blood letting wedding knives. Patricia (or Patrick) got married on the 15th Dec 1985.


Probably divorced now

 

[edbutrym]

Obviously ceremonial blood letting wedding knives. Patricia (or Patrick) got married on the 15th Dec 1985.

Might have a point there. Although I've heard it said that the bleeding doesn't really start until the divorce papers are served.

Probably divorced now

 

[edbutrym]

Guess: For scooping out melons or pumpkins

Thought maybe the same thing, but that blade is really springy, like it would pretty much twist if any real pressure was put on it.

 

[tinytom]

i think they are either farriers tools for shaping horses hooves, or a "crook" knife used or shaping wood sometimes wet, living freshley cut wood or pse timber

hope this helps
tom

 

[Deluks]

What about for scraping meat and fat from animal skin, in order to cure it?
Good for making a Davy Crockett hat.

 

[foxhole]

Looks like a tool for sciving leather.

 

[Peet]

I would say 'PAT DEC' stands for Patent decision. Google the following terms:

"Decisions of the Commissioner of Patents"
or
"Decisions of the Commissioner of Patents and of the United States"

Note the double quotes and include them in a search.

The archives seem to be public access now and google books have some of them.

http://openlibrary.org/books/OL2062...atents_and_of_the_United_States_Courts_in_...

Is another.
I'm guessing '85' is the year, so maybe 1885, as often you might come across 'PAT DEC 10 1885' as an example.

If you can find the patent information that may tell you exactly what it is.
They might be leather tools with their sharp edge, many skiving tools are curved. The springy thin blade would suggest its for cutting or scraping something delicate.

Hope that helps