So this was a French Clergyman's idea? Interesting.. [curious.com] Again, sorry in advance if you can't load it where you live. I'll compy/paste the text.

The knives are out
Cardinal Richelieu

If you enjoy eating like a pig, you probably wouldn't have gotten along with French clergyman and statesman, Cardinal Richelieu. Among more illustrious accomplishments, Richelieu invented the rounded table knife on today's date in 1637. As a brief history synopsis, Richelieu was a brilliant statesman who stifled the power of European nobles, turned France into a great power, and instigated the brutal Thirty Years' War. The bane of his existence? Poor manners. And poor manners were abundant in Europe during Richelieu's time. Though forks had existed in places like China for millennia, Europeans remained fond of the trusty old hunting knife. People would stab, chop, and pick their teeth with the same dagger they used to clean game (or even clean their nails). One day, Richelieu grew so tired of watching his guests dig in their mouths with these grisly knives that he said enough was enough. He had his servant grind down the tips of his personal dinner knives, which he mandated for use in his company. Hence the round-edged table knife was born. The development resulted in a shock wave of improved dining etiquette. King Louis XIV, who was understandably wary of being around sharp hunting knives, followed Richelieu's lead. Before long, all Western European monarchs and colonists dined with table knives. Manners experienced a Renaissance and became increasingly convoluted. As for the modest, blue-collar hunting knife? It was excommunicated from feasts. Personally, I find the all-purpose hunting knife a bit revolting. That being said, I do secretly yearn for the days when I could proudly slobber all over a turkey leg in public.
More about this Curio:
Wired: "May 13, 1637: Cardinal Richelieu Makes His Point"
The Independent: "Rhodri Marsen's Interesting Objects: The Table Knife"
Popular Mechanics: "The Secret History of Steak Knives"
History: "Of Knives and Forks"