Penknife: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Small folding knife}} | {{Short description|Small folding knife}} | ||
{{About|the quill and reed pen sharpening knife|the knife concealed in a ballpoint pen|Ballpoint pen knife}} | {{About|the quill and reed pen sharpening knife|the knife concealed in a ballpoint pen|Ballpoint pen knife}} | ||
{{Globalize|1=article|2=United Kingdom|date=December 2025}} | |||
[[File:Pocket-knife.jpg|thumb|A simple penknife]] | [[File:Pocket-knife.jpg|thumb|A simple penknife]] | ||
[[File:Writing in bound manuscripts with reed, reed knife, and ink well; citing bound rubricated manuscripts with fore- and top-edge clasps and sharpening a reed pen (Genoa, 16th. c.) (8067971786).jpg|thumb|A 16th century depiction of using a penknife on a quill]] | [[File:Writing in bound manuscripts with reed, reed knife, and ink well; citing bound rubricated manuscripts with fore- and top-edge clasps and sharpening a reed pen (Genoa, 16th. c.) (8067971786).jpg|thumb|A 16th century depiction of using a penknife on a quill]] | ||
''' | A '''penknife''', or '''pen knife''', is a small folding [[knife]].<ref name="EB1770-1"/> Today, ''penknife'' is also the common [[British English]] term for both a [[pocketknife]], which can have single or multiple blades, and for [[multi-tool]]s, with additional tools incorporated into the design.<ref name="Moore1988"/> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Originally, penknives were used for thinning and pointing [[quill]]s ( | Originally, penknives were used for thinning and pointing [[quill]]s ({{confer}} ''penna'', Latin for "feather") to prepare them for use as [[dip pen]]s and, later, for repairing or re-pointing the [[Nib (pen)|nib]].<ref name="EB1770-1"/> A penknife might also be used to sharpen a [[pencil]],<ref name="Machen1895"/> prior to the invention of the [[pencil sharpener]]. In the mid-1800s, penknives were necessary to slice the uncut edges of newspapers and books.<ref name="Flanders2014"/> | ||
A penknife did not necessarily have a folding [[blade]], but might resemble a [[scalpel]] or [[chisel]] by having a short, fixed blade at the end of a long handle.{{cn|date=August 2023}} | A penknife did not necessarily have a folding [[blade]], but might resemble a [[scalpel]] or [[chisel]] by having a short, fixed blade at the end of a long handle.{{cn|date=August 2023}} | ||
During the 20th century there | During the 20th century there was a proliferation of multi-function [[pocketknives]] with assorted blades and gadgets,<ref name="Shackleford2010"/> the most famous of which is the [[Swiss Army knife]], referred to in British English as penknives. | ||
A larger folding knife than a penknife, especially one in which the blade locks into place as a protection, as for skinning animals, is referred to by some as a [[claspknife]].<ref name="Shackleford2010"/> | A larger folding knife than a penknife, especially one in which the blade locks into place as a protection, as for skinning animals, is referred to by some as a [[claspknife]].<ref name="Shackleford2010"/> | ||
Latest revision as of 14:08, 3 December 2025
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A penknife, or pen knife, is a small folding knife.[1] Today, penknife is also the common British English term for both a pocketknife, which can have single or multiple blades, and for multi-tools, with additional tools incorporated into the design.[2]
History
Originally, penknives were used for thinning and pointing quills (Template:Confer penna, Latin for "feather") to prepare them for use as dip pens and, later, for repairing or re-pointing the nib.[1] A penknife might also be used to sharpen a pencil,[3] prior to the invention of the pencil sharpener. In the mid-1800s, penknives were necessary to slice the uncut edges of newspapers and books.[4]
A penknife did not necessarily have a folding blade, but might resemble a scalpel or chisel by having a short, fixed blade at the end of a long handle.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
During the 20th century there was a proliferation of multi-function pocketknives with assorted blades and gadgets,[5] the most famous of which is the Swiss Army knife, referred to in British English as penknives.
A larger folding knife than a penknife, especially one in which the blade locks into place as a protection, as for skinning animals, is referred to by some as a claspknife.[5]