The Arkansas Toothpick is essentially a Bowie Knife: a heavy dagger with a pointed, straight 12-20 inch blade. The 'toothpick' is balanced and weighted for throwing and can also be used for thrusting and slashing. Because of its large size, it is usually carried in a holster across one's back. The knife is meant to be heavy enough to be used as a hatchet for cutting wood, but sharp enough for shaving or combat. Its versatility had such an impact that two of Arkansas's nicknames became 'The Bowie State' and 'The Toothpick State.'
