1800's 24 blade knife

[superzstuff]

I got this knife at auction and just wondered if it had a special  purpose or was just a knife maker showing off. It measures 3" long, has 24 blades, 12 on both ends. Blades are all slightly different. All have good springs and fold in tight. No makers marks. I guess you can clean your fingernails and pick your teeth many different ways.

[Neals]

Makes me wonder if its an apprentice showing his skills.

[Billman49]

Probably a display piece for a shop window, possibly even an exhibition piece - whatever, a lovely knife to own

[scottg]

That's spectacular!
 24 blades and only 3" long? Exhibition piece without a doubt.
Look at the carved pearl!
 
 I can't believe it isn't marked somewhere.
 Keep looking!

 Looks to have been inherited by an idiot somewhere along the line though.
  I see several chipped blades and cracked pearl too.
 What kind of a blithering moron would do that to a knife this special?
  yours Scott 

[rusty]

Would make one nasty throwing weapon tho LOL

[Papaw]

Here is a 100 blade one that looks similar. Found at http://www.multi-tool.org/vintagemisc

[Fins/413]

I bet the dang thing weighs 10 lbs.

[JessEm]

A salesman's sample, perhaps.