One Arm Knife-Fork Combination,

Nelson Knife

Also known a "One Armed Man's Knife" or as a knife fork combination. 

Dexter-Russell "One Armed Man's Knife" is a knife-fork combination with a riveted rosewood handle comes with a heavy leather sheath. This is a good quality stainless steel knife/fork with a riveted hardwood rosewood handle. The blade is 4-1/4" long, and the whole tool is 8-1/4" long. The swept blade is sharpened on the outside curve and ends in a 3-tine fork. Another description is to say it is shaped like a scimitar with tines on the end. This knife/fork combination allows the user to cut meat or other foods and then eat with one hand. This knife can be helpful after a stroke.

The Dexter-Russell style of the "One Armed Man's Knife" dates to the Civil War. It may be referred to as a "one arm knife." This knife is still produced in the original pattern by the Dexter-Russell Green River Works. Made in the U.S.A. Original product number is # 9569.

This knife/fork combination may also be called a "Nelson knife." Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson lost his right arm in the unsuccessful expedition to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797. He used a traditional fork with a steel knife blade held in place with a setscrew on one side of the fork. Nelson was later killed in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Thanks to our customers who helped us with this information!

Product number Russ18240

For price, and to order online, please click on the illustration.

Knife-Fork Combination with Sheath

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Of historical interest, this is a picture of Horatio's original Nelson Knife.  It is silver with an ivory handle and a steel knife blade held in place with a setscrew.  This picture was sent to us by a customer.  We do not carry this knife and do not know where one can be located. We are showing it on this page because we thought it was very interesting to see how this knife/fork combination evolved into the one-piece kind of knife/fork combination we sell today (shown above.)

Original Nelson Knife (not for sale)

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