Wikipedia
In modern terminology the Arkansas toothpick is a heavy dagger with a pointed, straight blade. The knife can be used for thrusting and slashing. James Black, the inventor of the Bowie knife, is credited with inventing the Arkansas toothpick.
There was no consistent distinction made between Bowie knives and Arkansas toothpicks in the mid-19th century. There were enough occasional distinctions to shade any dogmatic statement of equivalence. Americans were observed to use pocket knives to clean their teeth in the era, so the Arkansas toothpick term may predate the Bowie knife. There is some (debatable) basis for claiming that Arkansas toothpicks were designed for throwing.
Usage examples of "arkansas toothpick".
In my short years I'd had some going round and about with varmints, and although I hadn't my rifle with me, I did have a pistol and my Arkansas toothpick.
Boyd, eldest of the three, had but one eye, having lost the other to an Arkansas Toothpick knife similar in size to a Bowie.
From my belt scabbard I took that Arkansas toothpick of mine, which I use for any manner of things.
What he saw was the needle-sharp point of a knife, an Arkansas toothpick.
Curly and Bald Bill had examined the thin metal stick as if it might be an Arkansas toothpick or a bowie knife, then laughed and let Ben-bow have it.
Then before the stunned cougar could more than get his feet under him, Galloway outs with his Arkansas toothpick and then he and that cat were going around and around.
The fact that he had another one, an Arkansas toothpick with a long slender blade, was not obvious.
Just turned and slashed him across the belly with an Arkansas toothpick.