- Letter opener
A letter opener, or paperknife, is a knife-like object used to open
envelope s or to slit uncut pages of books. Electric versions are also available, which work by using motors to slide the envelopes across a blade. These have the advantage of being able to handle a greater volume of envelopes, but the blade can slice into the contents of the envelope and damage them.Letter openers may be composed of wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of materials. Some modern openers have a hidden razor blade inside a plastic handle. In any case, the constant cutting of paper will eventually wear down cutting surfaces, requiring either sharpening or replacement.
Conventional letter openers can also be used as a weapon for assault or self-defense, depending on the situation.
Robert Stewart (Viscount Castlereagh) is known to have committed suicide using a letter opener.
Patrick Henry's letter opener
Patrick Henry is famous for making a speech before the Virginia House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775, stating the famous words "Give me Liberty or give me Death!" After this, he pretended to plunge a letter opener into his chest. [cite book
last = Kukla
first = Amy
coauthors = Kukla, Jon
year = 2002
title = Patrick Henry: Voice of the Revolution
publisher = PowerPlus Books
id = ISBN 0-8239-5725-X
pages = Pages 45-46]References
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