Thread: Weird razor-like thingy, anyone know what it is?

Was watching a programme on TV this evening where something similar was described as a letter opener. Didn't pivot like this one but…? Also, kudos to thebigspendur, in archaeology, we have this problem all the time (however much we like to imply that we don't).

Originally Posted by welshwizard

I don't think the blade is quite the right design for a fleam. Uncomfortably, I think barber-surgeons used fleams on human animals.
Maybe someone just made it as a one-off , to do a particular job, long since forgotten.

I'd already discounted my fleam idea in post 17, above. A great many fleams were (and still are) used for animals however - just google 'veterinary fleam.'

It seems that blood-letting was all the rage once, what with cupping jars, fleams, scarificators, lancets, leeches and so on. It is less in evidence today among humans (proper surgeons still use it for the treatment of a few rare illnesses) , but vets still routinely practice it.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Deerhunter1995

My money says its a knife, i would love to use that as a gutting knife for deer or hogs when we butcher, but even if you dont use it it would be cool just to have on display,probly a good bit of history with that old bugger.

I would tend to agree. Something used to cape and skin the hide off an animal with a gut hook so as not to cut to deep when zipping open the belly.

Mike

trust me if you punch the guts open on a deer or animal large animal once you will never do it again. that knife would work to open a deer up or to cape a fox or coon so u can cut without damaging the fur.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

I thought it my be a tool for some religious ceremony like a Bris. Further research revealed that the knife used in that ceremony looks more like a letter opener or an oyster knife.

I suppose it could be used for animal sacrifices or some other bizarre hoodoo kinda thing.

And I just cringed............

i'd say it's a razor i've seen photo's of similar but with long wooden handles used to shave heads in small villages in what looked like in eurasia somewhere

How thick is the spine?

Maybe it was used for castrating livestock . That handle looks too dainty for any kind of serious butchering , or other work .

Originally Posted by dave5225

Maybe it was used for castrating livestock . That handle looks too dainty for any kind of serious butchering , or other work .

Castrating isn't serious butchering ?! Tell that to the cow! And I just cringed again.

Originally Posted by Nightblade

Castrating isn't serious butchering ?! Tell that to the cow! And I just cringed again.

Good point !