History: Tell Sportsman's-Aid

Another fine product of Solingen craftsmanship, this multi-purpose plier tool is very similar to the slightly more common Abercrombie & Fitch Multi-Tool. It has no folding blades or tools. Instead, a number of different functions and features are integrated into the plier head and handles.

Pliers

The outside surfaces of the plier jaws have several added functions, which are described below. The inside surfaces have medium serrations running for most of the length, with about 1/2" (12.5mm) of fine serrations out at the tips. Closer to the pivot there is a shot splitter and a soft wire/fishing line cutter.

At the very base of the jaws is an offset notch for cutting hard wire, fishing hooks, etc.

Handles/Frame

The entire tool is made of highly polished stainless steel. "TELL" and "Stainless Solingen Germany" are etched into one handle, along with a detailed logo of William Tell, his son, and his crossbow .

The action pivots on a large T-headed bolt. Opening the pliers part way aligns a T-slot in the other handle, allowing the two halves to be taken apart. This facilitates cleaning, independent usage of the handle features, etc.

There are a number of added functions incorporated into the handles, described below.

Blades and Tools

The Tell ))Sportsman's-Aid(( has no folding blades or tools.

Locking Mechanism

Not applicable.

Other Features

At the end of one plier handle there is a can opener/cap lifter. The opposite handle end features a small flathead screwdriver/nail puller/pry bar.

Halfway along one handle there is a sharpening stone, glued into place. Just below it is a hole drilled through for a lanyard. (A leather lanyard with brass clip was included with the tool.)

One of the plier jaws has fish scaler notches running along the edge. The other jaw has a rounded, sharp area along a portion of the edge. Presumably, this sharp area was intended to be used as a small chopping hatchet.

This same jaw also has a blunt area for hammering small nails, tent stakes, etc.

Sheath

A leather sheath with snap enclosure was included with the tool. It utilized a series of three rivets at the bottom to prevent the sharp point of the plier jaws from punching a hole through.

Embossed into the leather flap was >TELL< company logo, and the name "))Sportsman's-Aid((".

Dimensions

• Folded length = NA
• Unfolded length = 8" (203mm)
• Thickness = 3/16" (5mm)
• Weight = 6.2 oz (174g)

Variations

None known.

History

Made in Germany. Precise date of manufacture unknown, but based upon stainless steel construction, probably from the 1960's or 1970's.

Related Knives

The Tell ))Sportsman's-Aid(( is nearly identical to the Abercrombie & Fitch Multi-Tool, with the exception of the take-apart feature.