paper knife

noun

a small, often decorative, knifelike instrument with a blade of metal, ivory, wood, or the like, for slitting open envelopes, the leaves of books, folded papers, etc.
the blade of a paper cutter.

First recorded in 1800–10

Mrs. Falchion had picked up a paper knife and was bending it to and fro between her fingers.

Quin traced the pattern in the table-cover with a massive brass paper-knife.

He took up a paper-knife from the table, and began to bend it in his hands.

He took up his dagger paper-knife, tried its point on his palm with two or three reckless thrusts and threw it back on the desk.

A chubby-faced office-boy, opening envelopes with a sharp steel paper-knife, was the only person to be seen.

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