I have owned dozens of penknives, but never till now stopped to think why they are so called.

"As a means towards his composure and self-possession, he entered into a more minute examination of the office than he had yet had time to make; looked into the wig-box, the books, and ink-bottle; untied and inspected all the papers; carved a few devices on the table with a sharp blade of Mr Brass's penknife; "

penknife ['pɛnˌnaýf]
noun
(plural: -knives)
a small knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle; pocketknife
[ETYMOLOGY: 15th Century: so called because it was originally used for making and repairing quill pens]

thanks, Dr. Bill. funny how those common items are ones we often don't know anything about. or don't think to ask the question...

Occasionally one will hear, in a folk song, the phrase "little pen knife" identifying an implement that was obviously used to perform a task beyond its abilities. Sometimes the phrase will be "wee pen knife," which is a hint to the true meaning: "weapon knife." That would be as opposed to "tool knife" I suppose.

This may be a year for the knives on AWAD. We've had that fascinating gully knife discussed, and now the derivation of penknife, equally fascinating. What will follow?

What will follow?

Did you know that the French word for pocket knife is canif?