Ancient Roman multitool, 4th century AD

The more I look at it, the better I like it. My guesses:

The spoon folds around the tool, instead of inside it, so the tool doesn't need to be unreasonably thick.

The fork does it because it doubles as a handle for the blade. I don't think it's strong enough for hard duty, but if you're just cutting a piece of meat it's probably enough.

The # shape in the body (near the spoon) is likely there so you can tie a string around it. Even if you keep it in a leather sheath, it's sometimes useful to hang the tool.

The whole thing is made of silver so it doesn't rust away. The exception is the blade, made of iron (and sadly rusted in the pic) - because it needs a good cutting edge. But it looks detachable, so you can sharpen/replace it. EDIT: a bronze version of that would be damn great, even in modern times.

All of them before plastics, stainless steel, or precision metalwork.

7 comments

That is so damn cool.
Friendship with Swiss Army Knife has ended.
New best friend is Ancient Roman Multitool.
The more I look at it, the better I like it. My guesses:
The spoon folds around the tool, instead of inside it, so the tool doesn't need to be unreasonably thick.
The fork does it because it doubles as a handle for the blade. I don't think it's strong enough for hard duty, but if you're just cutting a piece of meat it's probably enough.
The # shape in the body (near the spoon) is likely there so you can tie a string around it. Even if you keep it in a leather sheath, it's sometimes useful to hang the tool.
The whole thing is made of silver so it doesn't rust away. The exception is the blade, made of iron (and sadly rusted in the pic) - because it needs a good cutting edge. But it looks detachable, so you can sharpen/replace it. EDIT: a bronze version of that would be damn great, even in modern times.
All of them before plastics, stainless steel, or precision metalwork.
Given the reactions I've had about my elderly multitool from younger adults, there seems to be room for something like this now. Maybe not from silver, tho!
- Get the spatula out!
Is this made of iron or is the picture black and white?
- Silver, actually!