e
A 19th-Century Multi-Tool Design
…and some debate about the functions of the tools
This 19th- or early-20th-century multitool, posted on the Tools subReddit, is by British cutler Underwood.
Image: special_evan
Underwood, a London-based family concern, was in business from 1820 to 1925. While that postdates the Industrial Revolution, this object appears to have been hand-forged rather than mass-produced.
The design is quite interesting: Detentes on the bottom of each tool hold them nested against each other in the closed position, and the bow shape of the handle doubles as the spring that provides the pressure to hold them against each other. Gaps between the nested detentes indicate either the inconsistency of hand manufacturing techniques, or wear from the most frequently used tools.
Reddit being Reddit, there is debate about the function of some of the tools. Here's one proposal:
A. A hook sailors used for untying knots
B. A dosing cup for powdered medication
C. Screw starter, long
D. Screw starter, short
E. Corkscrew
F. Toothpick
G. Saw
H. Screwdriver
I. Random pick
J. Hook for snagging fishing lines
I'm no expert, but I'd guess "F" is not a toothpick, but either an awl or marlin spike. And I think "I" is a reamer.
Underwood was not the only producer of such a tool. On Etsy you can see this Antique 9-Tool Bow, estimated manufacturing date 1905 – 1920 by Charles Barrett, another London-based cutler:
The order of the tools is slightly different but the design appears otherwise identical. And this one has a surviving leather case.
It's also not clear if the original designer of this tool was British. An antiques site posted this German Folding Bow Multi-Tool, estimated manufacturing date 1880-1900.
The top of the bow is faceted, I assume for decorative purposes, and the inconsistency of the detentes appears to be poor manufacturing rather than wear. (Note that some of the indents are perfectly triangular, others decidedly less so.)
It's weird to remember that there was a time when German-made goods were nowhere near the worldbeating quality they produce today.
-
o3Favorite This
-
Q7Comment
Directory Company Profiles
Core77
Industrial Design
Resources
Industrial Design
Resources
-
Core77 Directory
Find the Best Industrial Design CompaniesGo -
Formation Design Group
Formation is a product design + development company focused on human centered design innovation. To ...
-
Fresco Design
Fresco supports world-class brands with world-class design. Based in the Boston area, a leading inno...
-
Speck Design
Speck Design is a Silicon Valley product design and strategy consultancy. For twenty years Speck Des...
-
Bluemap Design
BlueMap design is a multi-disciplinary product development firm. Founded by Simon Yan in 2001, the f...
-
Open Design
We partner with teams to deliver fresh thinking and award winning products for passionate audiences....
-
Olivialand Studio
Olivialand Studio, founded by Olivia Blechschmidt, is a boutique industrial design consultancy that ...
-
Studio1642
Get the website and videos your business needs in weeks, not months. Enjoy personalized, high-qualit...
K
{Welcome
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
K
Reset Password
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.
Comments
I agree with Ryan Webb. The “Germany” one is 20th century, I’d say post-war late 20th. For one, “Germany” - it’s in English. Seems dubious they’d do that in the 1880s. Seems like a post-war thing done for international trade. Then there’s the look of the thing: too shiny. To me, the tools look like someone took them from a present day multi-tool and refashioned them into the 19th century style to sell on eBay or some such.
The "screw starters" look pretty similar to hand forged drill bits, though missing a sharpened end. Perhaps they're just worn or simply made drill bits for wood?
The similar tool on the last (German) design is certainly a small auger bit.
Although country of origin was introduced in the UK in 1877, it was often ignored. The difference in quality suggests the German example is likely to be 20th and not 19th century.
I am reasonably certain that A is a hoof pick, B is a leather hole punch for in case you rip out a lacing hole on your shoe or other tack, and J is a victorian style button hook.
I can't attach the photo but there are leather punches on other vintage multi tools that look similar, and in one photo the bottom edge of the cup looks like it lacks any doming or flat bottom of a cup shape, in that lighting. A "dosing cup" rendered in iron is overkill and probably not cost-effective to include.
+ one on all.
My first thought about the dosing cup thing was that it looks like a sharpener.
Super neat; dosing cup???