Subdeacon Joe Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 https://stanflouride.com/2015/01/02/a-roman-multi-tool/amp/ Long before there were Swiss Army Knives, Leatherman multi-tools, or Boy Scout mess kit pocket knives, the Romans were fashioning them out of silver and iron: This one is in the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge, UK. Here is its description: Title: Roman “Swiss Army Knife” Category: tool/implement Name: compound utensil Date: 201 — 300 CE Period: Middle Roman Description: eating implement, folding, with three-pronged fork, spatula, pick, spike and knife. ProductionPlace (legacy): Mediterranean, production, region Materials: knife: iron; other tools: silver Dimensions: height: 88 mm [3.5″] width: 155 mm [6″] The Fitzwilliam Museum has a large online gallery:http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 Description: eating implement, folding, with three-pronged fork, spatula, pick, spike and knife. That little knife blade is for removing the rind from fruit. That thing they call a spatula? Sure looks like a spoon to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 just goes to show - there is nothing new to invent anymore , its all been done before .............maybe not as well , but DONE BEFORE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 The fork wasn’t invented for a thousand or so more years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozark Huckleberry Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 7 hours ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: Description: eating implement, folding, with three-pronged fork, spatula, pick, spike and knife. That little knife blade is for removing the rind from fruit. That thing they call a spatula? Sure looks like a spoon to me. So instead of making a, 'spork', the Romans made a, 'spoontula'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 20 minutes ago, Ozark Huckleberry said: So instead of making a, 'spork', the Romans made a, 'spoontula'. Or a Forktula Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Joker Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 The spike is a toothpick and awl, the little scoopy thing is for cleaning your earwax. I have seen small Spanish gentleman's tools like this. That is cool and took some craftsmanship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smuteye John SASS#24774 Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 The Irish Army came out with their own knife, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted February 23, 2022 Author Share Posted February 23, 2022 41 minutes ago, Smuteye John SASS#24774 said: The Irish Army came out with their own knife, too. That's actually the French version. The Irish version has cap lifters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 If someone builds one of those Roman gizmos of decent quality I can see an awful lot of Christmas presents going out. I've been giving Tedd Cash compass-sundials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 I've been examining the picture. That thing sticking out to the left must be what they are calling a spatula, and I agree that's a spoon. At the other end you got the spike, and you got the ear wax scoop And then there's that curved pointed thing. That's the knife? Now up at the top there is a brown rectangular thingy. What the heck is that? I thought possibly it was the knife, and they could not get the blade to unfold. Whatever it is, it appears that some of it has corroded away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted February 23, 2022 Author Share Posted February 23, 2022 53 minutes ago, Alpo said: Now up at the top there is a brown rectangular thingy. What the heck is that? I thought possibly it was the knife, and they could not get the blade to unfold That is what is left of the rusted away knife blade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 5 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said: That is what is left of the rusted away knife blade So what is the little curvy pointed thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted February 23, 2022 Author Share Posted February 23, 2022 30 minutes ago, Alpo said: So what is the little curvy pointed thing? A little, curvy, pointed thing! Might be for getting the meat out of crab, lobster, or snails. Could also use it to hook meat to flip it on a griddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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