Best Antique Letter Openers of 2026

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2026

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Antique letter openers are a unique and elegant way to add a touch of history to any desk or office space. These beautiful and functional items come in a variety of styles and materials, from ornate silver and gold designs to simpler, more rustic options made from wood or bone. Many antique letter openers feature intricate detailing and engravings, making them not only useful but also highly collectible. With their timeless beauty and practicality, antique letter openers are a must-have for any lover of vintage and antique décor.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Personalized Gold Plated Letter Opener – Antique Design Cover #TOP 1
Personalized Gold Plated Letter Opener – Antique Design
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Wicks Forge Cast Iron Letter Opener Cover #TOP 2
Wicks Forge Cast Iron Letter Opener
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Zerodis Antique Style Letter Opener Cover #TOP 3
Zerodis Antique Style Letter Opener
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Antique Letter Openers

#TOP 1

Personalized Gold Plated Letter Opener – Antique Design

304848-BC00350613
Gold
One Size Fits All
Personalized Gold Plated Letter Opener – Antique Design Cover
Custom 24K Gold Plated Letter Opener Knife – Antique Golden Rose Design - Flat Ergonomic Handle for Comfort – Desk and Office Supplies

This 24K gold plated letter opener features an elegant floral design on the flat, ergonomic handle. Made of pewter, it measures 7 3/4” long and can be used to open letters, bills, or seed packets. Personalize it with a name or message up to 20 letters to make it a unique gift for a teacher, professor, gardener, coworker, or boss.

What We Like
Elegant floral design
24K gold plated finish
Can be used to open letters, bills, or seed packets
Customizable with a name or message up to 20 letters
#TOP 2

Wicks Forge Cast Iron Letter Opener

Wicks Forge Cast Iron Letter Opener Cover
Wicks Forge Letter Opener Cast Iron Knife | Luxury, Rustic & Antique Style Desk Accessory for Cutting Open Paper Envelopes & Packages | Made in USA | by WICKS FORGE

The Wicks Forge Letter Opener is crafted using traditional blacksmith methods, ensuring a durable, rust-resistant finish that will last for years. This hand-forged tool features a sharp blade and pointed tip, allowing you to easily and cleanly open sealed mail and packages. Its unique spiral design not only adds a rustic charm but also provides a comfortable grip, making it ergonomic to use. Proudly made in the USA by a family-owned business with a century of experience, this letter opener combines quality craftsmanship with practical function for your home or office.

What We Like
Hand-forged craftsmanship
Rust-resistant finish
Sharp, efficient blade
Ergonomic spiral handle
Made in USA
#TOP 3

Zerodis Antique Style Letter Opener

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Gray and Bronze
Zerodis Antique Style Letter Opener Cover
Letter Openers,Luxury Rustic Antique Style Envelope Slitter Cast Iron Knife with Ergonomic Grip Handle for Cutting Open Paper Envelopes Packages(Style 6) letter opener

The Zerodis Letter Opener combines retro elegance with practicality. Its beautifully designed patterns and unique shape enhance any workspace, making it a stylish accessory for both home and office. Crafted from durable zinc alloy, this opener promises longevity, ensuring it won’t easily break with regular use. Lightweight and compact, you can take it wherever you go, making it convenient for opening envelopes on the spot. Plus, its design allows for easy insertion into envelopes without damaging the contents, meeting your daily needs effortlessly.

What We Like
Elegant retro design
Durable zinc alloy material
Lightweight and portable
Safe for envelope contents
#TOP 4

SHENIAFC Vintage 2-Piece Metal Letter Opener Set

SHENIAFC-079
Antique Gold
SHENIAFC Vintage 2-Piece Metal Letter Opener Set Cover
Vintage Letter Opener Set 2 Piece Antique Metal Cute Letter Cutter for Office and Home Decorative Envelope Knife Elegant Design

The SHENIAFC Vintage Letter Opener makes opening mail simple and safe with its sharp, pointed tip that slides easily into envelopes without tearing the contents or risking your fingers. Its versatile design is perfect for use at home, the office, or as a thoughtful gift, helping you open sealed documents smoothly. Made from strong zinc alloy, this letter opener is built to last, so you won’t have to worry about it breaking during regular use. Plus, its elegant vintage style adds a classy touch to your workspace, combining practical function with beautiful design.

What We Like
Sharp, safe tip
Multi-use design
Durable zinc alloy
Elegant vintage look
#TOP 5

Ruksifg Antique Metal Letter Opener Envelope Slitter

letter opener-01
Bronze
Ruksifg Antique Metal Letter Opener Envelope Slitter Cover
Ruksifg Antique Metal Letter Opener Envelope Slitter,Bronze Ancient Egypt Pharaoh Envelope Opener Knife Mail Opener with Gift Box(1 Pack)

Ruksifg Letter Opener is a decorative knife made of sturdy zinc alloy with an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh design. The 16cm long opener is safe and easy to use, ensuring it won't damage envelopes or harm your hands. The unique totem shape adds a classical touch to your desk, while the overall bronze color gives it an elegant look. Packaged in a black box, this opener is not only functional but also a stylish addition to your workspace.

What We Like
Sturdy Zinc Alloy
Ancient Egyptian Design
Safe and Easy to Use
#TOP 6

Vintage Metal Letter Opener Pack of 3 with Gift Box

Bronze,silver,gold
Vintage Metal Letter Opener Pack of 3 with Gift Box Cover
Vintage Metal Letter Opener Antique Pack of 3 Envelope Slitter with Gift Box Ancient Tree Shaped Mail Opener for Office Mail Supplies

This set of vintage metal letter openers is perfect for your home or office. With a humanized handle, the ergonomic design allows for comfortable use and a clean cut every time. Made to last, these letter openers are made of durable metal that is lightweight, smooth and rust-proof. The set comes with three letter openers in different colors and a gift box, making it an ideal gift for friends, family or colleagues. These letter openers have wide applications and can be used for envelopes, express delivery and more.

What We Like
Ergonomic handle for comfortable use
Durable metal for long-term use
Comes in a set of three with gift box
#TOP 7

Fox Valley Traders 24K Gold Plated Letter Opener

304848-BC00350614
Gold
One Size Fits All
Fox Valley Traders 24K Gold Plated Letter Opener Cover
24K Gold Plated Letter Opener Knife – Antique Golden Rose Design - Flat Ergonomic Handle for Comfort – Desk and Office Supplies

The Fox Valley Gold Letter Opener offers a perfect blend of style and function. Measuring 7 3/4 inches, its ergonomic flat handle with a floral design provides comfort while you open letters, bills, or advertisements quickly and easily. Made from durable pewter with a luxurious 24K gold plating, it adds an elegant touch to your desk or office supplies. Beyond just opening mail, you can also use it to open seed packets, making gardening tasks simpler and safer. This versatile tool helps you protect contents inside envelopes and keeps your hands safe from paper cuts.

What We Like
Elegant 24K gold plating
Ergonomic flat handle
Multi-purpose use
Durable pewter material
Comfortable 7 3/4” length
#TOP 8

Schooner Bay Co. Fox Head Letter Opener

Brass
6-1/4"
Schooner Bay Co. Fox Head Letter Opener Cover
Schooner Bay Co. 6-1/4" Solid Polished Brass Fox Head Letter Opener, Antique Reproduction

Schooner Bay Fox Letter Opener is a 6-1/4" solid brass letter opener featuring a realistic fox head handle. This unique piece is a perfect gift for animal lovers, conservationists, or fox & hound enthusiasts. Crafted in India, this letter opener adds a touch of elegance to your desk. The solid brass construction ensures durability, while the fox head handle adds a touch of sophistication to your office accessories. Opening letters with this stylish piece brings a sense of charm to your daily tasks.

What We Like
Durable solid brass
Realistic fox head handle
Unique gift idea
#TOP 9

Nostalgic Impressions Letter Opener - Silver

Nostalgic Impressions Letter Opener - Silver Cover
Nostalgic Impressions Decorative Letter Opener Paper Cutting Knife Premium Antiqued Metal for Envelopes with Vintage Detail 7” Long

The Nostalgic Impressions Letter Opener - Silver is a classic vintage-style desk accessory designed to speed up the opening of mail. It has an elegant look with solid weight and feel, and comes in a 7-inch length. The product is gift-boxed, making it perfect for gifting to your loved ones.

What We Like
Classic vintage-style design
Solid weight and feel
Comes in an elegant gift box
#TOP 10

WICKS FORGE Letter Opener Cast Iron Knife

WICKS FORGE Letter Opener Cast Iron Knife Cover
WICKS FORGE Letter Opener Cast Iron Knife Luxury, Rustic & Antique Style Desk Accessory for Cutting Open Paper Envelopes & Packages Made in USA Reverse Curl

The WICKS FORGE Letter Opener Cast Iron Knife is a high-quality, all-purpose desk accessory for opening envelopes and packages. Each letter opener is handcrafted through traditional blacksmith techniques and features a pointed tip and sharp bladed edge for maximum efficiency. The unique spiral end design adds a touch of fun to the functional tool. Made in the USA by a third-generation family-owned business, this letter opener comes with a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.

What We Like
Handcrafted through traditional blacksmith techniques
Sharp bladed edge and pointed tip for maximum efficiency
Unique spiral end design adds a touch of fun
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who invented letter openers?

Russell Hawes of Worcester, Mass. patented an improved version of an envelope folding machine that enabled three girl employees to make 25,000 finished envelopes in a ten hour work day, according to “An Early History of the Envelope” by the u.s. Envelope Company.

2. What are letter openers called?

The terms paper knife and letter opener are often used interchangeably to refer to a knife-like desktop tool.

3. Should a letter opener be sharp?

There really aren't any rules about how sharp a letter opener should be. The P.P. has said that dull helps it not be considered a knife.

4. DO letter openers get dull?

Letter openers are generally made of wood, metal and plastic or a combination of the three materials. With constant use the cutting blade will become blunt and will require replacing or sharpening.

Editor's Notes

During our antique letter opener research, we found 24 antique letter opener products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,253 customer reviews through our big data system to write the antique letter openers list. We found that most customers choose antique letter openers with an average price of $14.06.

The antique letter openers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of antique letter openers, including WalterDrake, Wicks Forge, Zerodis, SHENIAFC, Ruksifg. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 221 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.