linoleum knife
{{Short description|Cutting tool}}
A linoleum knife (also called a banana knife or hook axe){{cite book |title=The Great Tool Emporium |last=Manners |first=David X. |year=1980 |publisher=Popular Science |isbn=978-0-525-93121-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/greattoolemporiu00mann/page/233 233] |url=https://archive.org/details/greattoolemporiu00mann/page/233 }} is a small knife that has a short, stiff blade with a curved point and a handle and is used to cut linoleum{{cite book |title=The Complete Guide to Kitchens |year=2004 |publisher=Creative Publishing international |isbn=978-1-58923-138-2 |page=169 }} or other sheet materials such as wood panelling,{{cite book |title=The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair |year=2004 |publisher=Creative Publishing international |isbn=978-1-58923-181-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/completephotogui00crea_0/page/39 39] |url=https://archive.org/details/completephotogui00crea_0/page/39 }}wood veneer,{{cite book |title=Veneering, Marquetry and Inlay |year=1996 |publisher=Taunton Press |isbn=978-1-56158-119-1 |page=36 }} and mica sheets.{{cite book |title=Mica Industry in Rajasthan |last=Mathur |first=Krishna Swarup |year=1968 |publisher=Asha Publishing House |page=65 }}
The knife is similar in design to the sickle and billhook. Like most cutting tools with hooked blades, the purpose of this design is to cut by pulling. This helps to reduce the wasted effort of simultaneously pressing the blade into the item as one would with a straight blade. It also allows the user to reach out and cut an item with the arm fully extended, such as during plant trimming or harvesting, or making a long continuous cut into a surface.
This tool can also be used to jimmy doors open by bypassing the safety latch in the doorjamb.{{cite book |title=The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing |last=Phillips |first=Bill |year=2001 |publisher=McGraw-Hill Professional |isbn=978-0-07-137494-1 |page=346 }} Knives of a similar shape and design are commonly used by carpet fitters.
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