Posted 8 years ago
UncleRon
(41 items)
I don't like to claim "unique" but this one just might qualify. I've never seen or heard of another (if you have please tell me). This 2 9/16" closed, pearl handled, jack knife was made especially for a violinist. It has a tiny pair of pliers/tweezers for assisting in threading strings; a file/cutting blade for trimming strings and adjusting replacement tuning pegs in an emergency; and a "wire" gauge for measuring the size of gut strings to get the appropriate thickness for each pitch. Lastly, and most amazing, there is a tiny hole at the large end which looks somewhat like a tweezer compartment; however it is actually an air passage. Inside the handle is a metal reed which, when blown, produces an "A" - the pitch of the first string on a violin. Sadly, there are no maker's marks.
I've seen and own "golfer's knives" but never a Violinist's Knife. I wonder if anyone has ever made a "gunslinger's knife" or a "rifleman's knife", with special tools specifically to repair or "tune" a pistol or a rifle??? [;>)
"Wa a t'ing !!
wow, ron, what a fantastic uh... knife/violin tool. ive never even heard of such.
love it ! thanks for posting.
What a find! Looking through items from my family's past I came upon this knife that I thought had the regular small blades. I was surprised to find when opening the three slots that it contained the items that you have posted. The knife belonged to my father who played the violin and I never would have made the connection. Sure enough, blowing over the little hole produces A 440. I cannot express how truly delighted I was to have made this connection . Thank you for posting this that others might learn.
Thank you for your post! Now at least I know mine is not one-of-a-kind. I suspect they were a special order to a knife maker, probably in Germany, from an instrument maker or retailer. Are there ANY other marks on yours that provide additional information? Thanks!
I am sorry to say there is nothing to indicate the maker or where it was made. It remains a mystery as to its origin. I wish I could have filled in some of the blanks for you because your post was so informative for me. My intention was to put it in a garage sale, but now it has become a treasured memento.
For sure, that's a particular knife! Thank you for sharing, and all explanations!!!