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A 19th-Century Multi-Tool Design

…and some debate about the functions of the tools

By Rain Noe - February 9

in Tools & Craft

This 19th- or early-20th-century multitool, posted on the Tools subReddit, is by British cutler Underwood.

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.

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Comments

Adam Nunn

9 months ago

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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.

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Ryan Webb

9 months ago

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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.

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Stevie VanBronkhorst

9 months ago

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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.

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Bastian Lee

9 months ago

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My first thought about the dosing cup thing was that it looks like a sharpener.

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Juan Cano

9 months ago

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Super neat; dosing cup???

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