« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: How old are multi tools?  (Read 2103 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Branson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3643
How old are multi tools?
« on: August 27, 2015, 08:41:49 AM »
A lot older than I thought.  From 1560 to 1570:

http://www.design-is-fine.org/post/108959819159/universal-tool-1560-70-germany-iron-case-with

From 1580, this one really astonished me:

http://www.design-is-fine.org/post/108822354954/multi-tool-1580-iron-with-etched-decorations

Moving to the 18th Century, these:

http://www.design-is-fine.org/post/111405022074/saw-sets-combination-tools-hammers-and-a-signet

got a couple other pictures that I'll post in the appropriate sections
Logged

Offline jimwrench

  • Contributor
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1803
Re: How old are multi tools?
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2015, 09:49:13 AM »
 Very neat. Back then we had artificers and artisans who spent lots of time embellishing their work. Finding any of these would definitely increase my heart rate.
Logged
Jim
Mr. Dollarwrench

Offline PFSchaffner

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 188
    • VintageMachinery profile
Re: How old are multi tools?
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2015, 09:53:38 AM »
Logged
pfs
member: TATHS | MWTCA | EAIA | MVWC | CRAFTS
tool-cleaner and -sorter, Ann Arbor Kiwanis Thrift Sale

Offline Papaw

  • Owner/Administrator
  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11221
  • Alvin, Texas
    • Papawswrench
Re: How old are multi tools?
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2015, 11:05:00 AM »
All of those are outstanding!
Logged
Member of PHARTS - Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society
 
 Flickr page- https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/

Offline Twilight Fenrir

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 547
Re: How old are multi tools?
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2015, 11:53:05 AM »
Quote from: PFSchaffner on August 27, 2015, 09:53:38 AM
This, I think, qualifies:

http://webapps.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/explorer/index.php?oid=70534
Wow...

I guess, for as long as there have been tooks, there have been people trying to smoosh them together into one :P

But, now I'm going to have to forge myself a leatherman-like tool to take to historical reenactments and I can point at this page and say, 'they existed, see?!?' :P
Logged

Offline Yadda

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1991
Re: How old are multi tools?
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2015, 01:29:02 PM »
Plyerman has a collection of multi tool information that includes a lot of photos.  He also has a pretty nice collection of unique multi tools. 

The 19th century until now is the golden age of multi tools. 
« Last Edit: August 27, 2015, 06:50:58 PM by Yadda »
Logged
You might say I have a tool collecting problem....

Offline Bill Houghton

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2860
Re: How old are multi tools?
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2015, 03:02:42 PM »
I find myself wondering, given the level of decoration, if these weren't "gentleman's" tools, not intended for actual use.

I'm tempted to argue that multi-tools go back farther than that...

...but I guess that would be unfair.  I mean, the really old ones don't have a corkscrew or church key, even (an omission I also note on the examples Branson posted), so how can they be multitools?
Logged

Offline Branson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3643
Re: How old are multi tools?
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2015, 05:56:54 PM »
Logged

Offline turnnut

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1861
Re: How old are multi tools?
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2015, 09:42:46 PM »
the human hand is the oldest tool, and it could do many task.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »