Knife, “Arkansas toothpick”

Made by Jimmy Lile
Stag horn handle, guard and two edged blade
1970
LOA 12 in
Gift of Marilyn Lile Miller
This was Jimmy Lile’s classic rendering of the “Arkansas toothpick,” the double edged blade tapering to a point. During the pre-Civil War period little distinction was made between the bowie and the Arkansas toothpick, but over the years the toothpick came to be pictured as Lile interprets it here. Jimmy Lile was one of the most important custom knifemakers of the 20th century, called the Arkansas Knifesmith. He is known especially for the Rambo knives he made for Sylvester Stallone.