Reproduction of WWII spy tool "VISOR KNIFE"

[ERS4]

Apart from daily shaving with "DE", I also like to collect some DE-related gadgets, such as utility knives using DE blades.
.
But I have never been able to find the "VISOR KNIFE" - it has been recorded as being related to the escape of British Air Force prisoners in WWII, and may even be used as a spy tool.
.
Eventually I decided to make one myself, even though I had no metalworking training.
I used a thicker pure copper sheet than the original "VISOR KNIFE" as the material, and modified some details to accommodate rough tools and pure manual processing.
I'm lucky that I was able to do it. Maybe the God of Shaving was secretly assisting me.

.
The original VISOR KNIFE is made of thin brass and is fully stamped↓
The lower layer is limited by a square groove and works with the three bumps on the front piece.
I wasn't sure I could knock out the square groove neatly, so I changed it to a long limit hole.

 

[BigJ]

Great work!! And thanks for the history!!

 

[ERS4]

Great work!! And thanks for the history!!

Curiosity about history cuts another hole in my wallet.

 

[Alum Ladd]

Apart from daily shaving with "DE", I also like to collect some DE-related gadgets, such as utility knives using DE blades.
.
But I have never been able to find the "VISOR KNIFE" - it has been recorded as being related to the escape of British Air Force prisoners in WWII, and may even be used as a spy tool.
.
Eventually I decided to make one myself, even though I had no metalworking training.
I used a thicker pure copper sheet than the original "VISOR KNIFE" as the material, and modified some details to accommodate rough tools and pure manual processing.
I'm lucky that I was able to do it. Maybe the God of Shaving was secretly assisting me.
View attachment 1926751
.
The original VISOR KNIFE is made of thin brass and is fully stamped↓
The lower layer is limited by a square groove and works with the three bumps on the front piece.
I wasn't sure I could knock out the square groove neatly, so I changed it to a long limit hole.
View attachment 1926752

That's a very good copy @ERS4 great effort there!

Here is another original with some background detail. British / US escape & survival visor knife / compass - https://www.historicflyingclothing.com/en-GB/escape-compasses/british-us-escape-survival-visor-knife-compass/prod_20229

They seem relatively rare.

 

[Dave himself]

@ERS4 I wish I had the skills to make something like that. Well done mate .

 

[Frito Ray]

That looks like it would be useful on a keychain.

 

[Mitzie]

I've been looking for a modern version of something like this, to re-use DE blades for utility purposes. -Can't find anything currently on the market. Thanks for sharing @ERS4

 

[ERS4]

That's a very good copy @ERS4 great effort there!

Here is another original with some background detail. British / US escape & survival visor knife / compass - https://www.historicflyingclothing.com/en-GB/escape-compasses/british-us-escape-survival-visor-knife-compass/prod_20229

They seem relatively rare.

Thank you for sharing.
Which is also one of my reference sources.

Existing information on this pocket knife is very limited. Fortunately, the description is relatively clear, and some of it comes from relatively reliable auctioneers and military collectors. Unfortunately, there is a lack of more in-depth manufacturer and design patent records.

@ERS4 I wish I had the skills to make something like that. Well done mate .

In fact, I just fought against the small metal piece with my attachment, and then I was sore for a week.

That looks like it would be useful on a keychain.

indeed.
It is very suitable for carrying around and opening packages easily.

I've been looking for a modern version of something like this, to re-use DE blades for utility purposes. -Can't find anything currently on the market. Thanks for sharing @ERS4

I also tried looking for modern versions, but considering the limited profits that DE’s market share can bring to manufacturers, it seems that the chance of finding them is higher from vintage.

After I switched to vintage, I was lucky enough to find five or six different designs.
One of the easiest to find is this pocket knife from R.R. JOHNSTONE in Milwaukee↓ .
They are sent as advertising gifts, so you can find them with a variety of logos printed on them.
The vintages may all need a slight adjustment to increase the tension and better accommodate the now thinner DE blades.

 

[wsfarrell]

Thank you for sharing.
Which is also one of my reference sources.

Existing information on this pocket knife is very limited. Fortunately, the description is relatively clear, and some of it comes from relatively reliable auctioneers and military collectors. Unfortunately, there is a lack of more in-depth manufacturer and design patent records.

In fact, I just fought against the small metal piece with my attachment, and then I was sore for a week.

indeed.
It is very suitable for carrying around and opening packages easily.


I also tried looking for modern versions, but considering the limited profits that DE’s market share can bring to manufacturers, it seems that the chance of finding them is higher from vintage.

After I switched to vintage, I was lucky enough to find five or six different designs.
One of the easiest to find is this pocket knife from R.R. JOHNSTONE in Milwaukee↓ .
They are sent as advertising gifts, so you can find them with a variety of logos printed on them.
The vintages may all need a slight adjustment to increase the tension and better accommodate the now thinner DE blades.
View attachment 1927207

Very cool. I found several of those on eBay, where they are listed as "cigar cutters."

 

[ERS4]

Very cool. I found several of those on eBay, where they are listed as "cigar cutters."

Yes, I also look for them in "cigar cutters" on eBay from time to time. Some of the advertising knives made by "RR JOHNSTONE" are relatively easy to find.

The way the Canadian Gillette version mounts the blade is also very interesting.