Manicure sets that contain knives and other sharp objects....

[knife7knut]

Manicure sets are not usually something I collect but I occasionally find one that has a folding knife in it or has some really beautiful handle material. Most are usually one or more tools although I have a couple that are complete.
To me the most desirable ones are those that have mother of pearl handles;especially carved ones. Yesterday I came across one at the 200 mile long yard sale in Michigan. This particular set has abalone handles and seemed to be complete. After looking at it I think there is one piece missing. The handles are remarkably well matched and in decent shape;a couple requiring minor repairs.What I thought was a folding knife turned out to be a folding nail file that locks into the open position by sliding the blade back after it is fully opened. The price wasn't bad either:$15.
Most of the kits contain at least one small fixed blade although I am not quite sure what they were originally used for. They seem too small to trim nails and too sharp to be a cuticle pusher. This latest kit seems to contain doubles of many of the tools.
There are two small knife blades with straight cutting edges about 3/8ths of an inch long;a knife that appears to be a corn knife;a pair of tweezers;a folding file;two cuticle pushers;one metal and the other abalone;a nail buffer with two pieces of abalone for a handle;and a mystery tool that is circular on the end with a tiny hole in it.Maybe an ear wax spoon? All encased in a silk lined leather case that is remarkably intact. Usually these deteriorate very badly.
I have also included some folding button hooks.Sometimes these will be found within the manicure sets.These were used primarily for ladies' gloves and shirt sleeves and earlier for some shoes. Most of this early clothing had multiple buttons and were small enough that using just your fingers was difficult. Some of the kits also contained a small corkscrew. This was used primarily for perfume bottles before the advent of screw on caps. They were also used on medicine bottles.
This post will probably entail more than one posting so please bear with me and I hope it is enjoyable for all.
The first picture is of the abalone set I just acquired.It shows the variety of tools enclosed. The second picture shows a closeup of the mystery tool. Anyone have an idea of what it might be?
Next is a set made of French ivory aka celluloid by the E. DuPont Co. of France. It appears to be missing a brush for applying powder. Unusual is the celluloid hair curler. Another mystery piece is what looks like a miniature mail box. Any idea what that is?
Next is a tiny German made set designed to fit in a small purse.The case is celluloid and the top screws on. I had to repair it with CA glue. Next is the one I call the Hat & Gloves set as that is the emblem on the case. Obviously for a man it contains a tiny Gillette razor with extra blades;two sizes of nail clippers;a file and a pocket knife.
The next is my prized one: made by J.A. Henckels it features all items made of mother of pearl including a pearl handled pocket knife. Housed in a hard leather covered case.
The last two are made of French ivory and are unmarked as to origin.

[knife7knut]

Page two:
First up is a pearl calling card case I got years ago that was missing the top. I found a good use for it to house a carved pearl handled manicure set. The second pic shows the tools.
Next is a nice set by Daniel Peres that holds two pairs of scissors;a corn knife;tweezers,nail file and cuticle pusher and on the opposite side two straight razors.
Next is a set of three tools marked "Real Ebony" on the handles.
Then we have an unmarked piece that has four folding tools that are deployed one at a time.
Next is a similar four item tool but on this one the tools slide out and lock into position.
Next is an unmarked sterling silver handled scissors and button hook that looks like a pocket knife.
Last is a group of folding button hooks that I will show individually in the next post.

[knife7knut]

Page three:
A bunch of folding button hooks;some with knives and some without.
First up is a Brookes & Crookes multi blade just over 2 inches long closed.
Next two are by John S. Holler;one with smooth bone handles and the other with genuine tortoise shell.
Next is an unmarked lobster style button hook knife.
Next is a Joseph Rodgers Cutlers to her majesty(Queen Victoria)button hook.
Then we have three unmarked button hooks.
Lastly we have two Wilson Brothers sheffield button hook knives;one bone and the other pearl

[Quick Steel]

k7k, seems to me you have a very fine eye for collecting. Those manicure sets are truly impressive.

[Miller Bro's]

Nice ones

I have a bunch of them, only file photos I have at the moment.

[knife7knut]

Beautiful Dimitri!

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks Ray

Here's some unusual personal manicure items you won't see everyday

[knife7knut]

Great stuff Dimitri! Here are a few more individual pieces that I came across.
First up is a pair of manicure files with tiny knives in the handles.
Next is another one gold plated in a case with a tortoise shell(possibly celluloid)comb with a sterling silver back.
Next is a pearl handled nail clipper marked King Klip.The knob on the end unscrews to release the handle.
Next is a pearl pocket knife marked G.& H.Vogel with a nail clipper in the back.The handle is also a nail file.
Next is a gold plated folding tortoise shell comb.
Then a folding nail file in the shape of a ladies' leg with celluloid handles.
A couple of manicure tools marked Arnof Germany.
Another marked D.Peres that has a bar on the back to lock the tools in either the open or closed position.
Last is a manicure tool marked D.R.G.M.with French ivory handles.

[wazu013]

Some pretty interesting stuff shown here. I only have one piece that could belong. It's made by Vulcan.

[bestgear]

It's no wonder why I never see this stuff, you guys have all cornered the market! Very nice collections and photo display!

[knife7knut]

Some pretty interesting stuff shown here. I only have one piece that could belong. It's made by Vulcan.009.JPG

Interesting combination of blades. Never seen a manicure knife with a saw blade in it! What is the length closed on it?

[Miller Bro's]

They are out there Tom

[Miller Bro's]

Interesting ones Wazu and Ray

[wazu013]

Some pretty interesting stuff shown here. I only have one piece that could belong. It's made by Vulcan.009.JPG

Interesting combination of blades. Never seen a manicure knife with a saw blade in it! What is the length closed on it?

It's 3 3/8" closed.