Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
- Sharpnshinyknives
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5133
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:32 am
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
Every time I see a Wintertbottom bone handled knife I wonder why they call it “winter bottom”? I know what winter is and I know what the bottom is or “a” bottom is, but I can’t figure out how they came up with that name. Anyone know?
SSk
SSk
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
- Railsplitter
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 3174
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:43 pm
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
I think it was some guy's last name.
Rick T.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
Proud member of the Buck Collectors Club Inc.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
Proud member of the Buck Collectors Club Inc.
- Steve Warden
- Posts: 6322
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 4:18 pm
- Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
From msteele6 back in 2009
Winterbottom bone is bone manufactured by the Winterbottom Bone Company, it is always bone with long parallel grooves cut into it. I have never seen any where the grooves are not parallel to the handle. Generally there are only five or six of these grooves per handle.
A look at almost any old Queen knife will give you a perfect example of Winterbottom bone (not all are Winterbottom bone but most are). Even the imitation Winterbottom bone which is used on the later knives will give you a good example of what the real thing looks like.
Winterbottom bone is bone manufactured by the Winterbottom Bone Company, it is always bone with long parallel grooves cut into it. I have never seen any where the grooves are not parallel to the handle. Generally there are only five or six of these grooves per handle.
A look at almost any old Queen knife will give you a perfect example of Winterbottom bone (not all are Winterbottom bone but most are). Even the imitation Winterbottom bone which is used on the later knives will give you a good example of what the real thing looks like.
Take care and God bless,
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
- Sharpnshinyknives
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5133
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:32 am
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
That would explain it. I know my bottom gets kinda wide in the winter, but it doesn’t look like that. Couldn’t figure out how they came up with that name. Thanks
SSk
SSk
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
- treefarmer
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 12888
- Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:53 am
- Location: Florida Panhandle(LA-Lower Alabama)
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
Here is an interesting and informative article about Winterbottom: https://www.traditionalpocketknives.com ... ne-history.
Treefarmer
Treefarmer
A GUN IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN A COP ON THE PHONE.
- Sharpnshinyknives
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5133
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:32 am
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
treefarmer wrote:Here is an interesting and informative article about Winterbottom: https://www.traditionalpocketknives.com ... ne-history.
Treefarmer
Interesting article. Seems like I learn something new on here everyday.. Than you for posting that.
SSk
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
-
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 6:20 pm
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
I recently bought an old Queen 2-blade folding hunter, and the WB handle was a uniform yellow/ivory color. Was it brown on ivory when new, and the brown just wore away?
- Steve Warden
- Posts: 6322
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 4:18 pm
- Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
Excellenttreefarmer wrote:Here is an interesting and informative article about Winterbottom: https://www.traditionalpocketknives.com ... ne-history.
Treefarmer
Take care and God bless,
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
- gsmith7158
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 8548
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 7:25 pm
- Location: Canton, Ga. 100% of the time
- Contact:
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
I've noticed that the winterbottom bone on old Case knives mostly seems to come with the lines in a crossing pattern. I wonder if that came from the same company?
------------------
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
Here is one I have tallguy, It's hard to say what a knife has gone through by previous owners and all bone is different.tallguy606 wrote:I recently bought an old Queen 2-blade folding hunter, and the WB handle was a uniform yellow/ivory color. Was it brown on ivory when new, and the brown just wore away?
I'm sure you know this. I'm just trying to contribute.
I had a picture of Mr. Winterbottom and his employees in front of a boxcar with the floor heaped with bone. I guess I deleted it.
Good one Philip.treefarmer wrote:Here is an interesting and informative article about Winterbottom: https://www.traditionalpocketknives.com ... ne-history.
Treefarmer
Joe
- Sharpnshinyknives
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5133
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:32 am
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Why do they call it “winter bottom “
That might be the nicest Winterbottom bone handles ever. Very nice.FRJ wrote:Here is one I have tallguy, It's hard to say what a knife has gone through by previous owners and all bone is different.tallguy606 wrote:I recently bought an old Queen 2-blade folding hunter, and the WB handle was a uniform yellow/ivory color. Was it brown on ivory when new, and the brown just wore away?
I'm sure you know this. I'm just trying to contribute.
I had a picture of Mr. Winterbottom and his employees in front of a boxcar with the floor heaped with bone. I guess I deleted it.
Good one Philip.treefarmer wrote:Here is an interesting and informative article about Winterbottom: https://www.traditionalpocketknives.com ... ne-history.
Treefarmer
I also learned that Winterbottom is one word and not two. Auto correct doesn’t like that as one word, unless it’s capitalized.
SSk
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
- gsmith7158
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 8548
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 7:25 pm
- Location: Canton, Ga. 100% of the time
- Contact:
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
Here's an old Case and Son's knife. The lines intersect on it.
------------------
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
That's very creative jigging, Greg. Have you ever seen jigging like that before?
Joe
- treefarmer
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 12888
- Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:53 am
- Location: Florida Panhandle(LA-Lower Alabama)
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
In response to tallguy606's comment on the color of a Winterbottom handles color, here is a picture (my avatar) of identical Queen Pattern #49s, both have the '58-'60 stamp, one of course is almost mint and the other well used. I suppose "pocket time" polishes out the dark lines down in the grooves. I don't know if the real Winterbottom bone was dyed or scorched to create the dark lines. Maybe somebody can help with that information.
TreefarmerA GUN IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN A COP ON THE PHONE.
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
Joe, that Copperhead(?) is sweet! I think that's the best example of Winterbottom bone I've ever seen. Very nice.
As for coloration, check out these two Queen 51's.
Admittedly, I don't have a lot of experience with Winterbottom bone; so, half the time I can't tell the difference between genuine WB bone and imitation WB Delrin. (Both of my 51s look like Delrin to me.)
What year did Queen begin using Delrin instead of bone for WB handles? Did they use both bone and Delrin concurrently?
~Q~
As for coloration, check out these two Queen 51's.
Admittedly, I don't have a lot of experience with Winterbottom bone; so, half the time I can't tell the difference between genuine WB bone and imitation WB Delrin. (Both of my 51s look like Delrin to me.)
What year did Queen begin using Delrin instead of bone for WB handles? Did they use both bone and Delrin concurrently?
~Q~
~Q~
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
We all know Queen used WB but so did Schrade for a very short run....Here's the factory, and a 1930s Gearge Schrade automatic.
- Sharpnshinyknives
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5133
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:32 am
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
Q, check out that article posted on the first page of this thread. It says they transitioned over to Delrin by the late 60’s. It reads like they were having handles made in both for over 10 years, and started using Delrin in the 50’s.QTCut5 wrote:Joe, that Copperhead(?) is sweet! I think that's the best example of Winterbottom bone I've ever seen. Very nice.
As for coloration, check out these two Queen 51's.
P7190003.JPG
Admittedly, I don't have a lot of experience with Winterbottom bone; so, half the time I can't tell the difference between genuine WB bone and imitation WB Delrin. (Both of my 51s look like Delrin to me.)
What year did Queen begin using Delrin instead of bone for WB handles? Did they use both bone and Delrin concurrently?
~Q~
That’s very helpful article, I’m going to bookmark that one.
SSk
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
- RalphAlsip
- Posts: 2322
- Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:01 pm
- Location: Southern Illinois
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
These pictures show Case's use of Winterbottom. The gold Winterbottom 6165 is a Tested XX era knife (~1920 - ~1940). The three equal end patterns are all W.R. Case & Sons (~1905 - ~1914).
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
Some more ladies.
bottom one is faux bone or plastic if you prefer. - Sharpnshinyknives
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5133
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:32 am
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
Case has a new fence row jigging that looks like a new take on Winterbottom. I kind of like these. Haven’t seen many olive green bone knives I didn’t like.
SSk
SSk
- Attachments
-
- 16026.jpg (10.81 KiB) Viewed 2685 times
-
- 16025.jpg (9.57 KiB) Viewed 2685 times
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
- Steve Warden
- Posts: 6322
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 4:18 pm
- Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
I've been watching and looking at all the fine samples you folks have been putting on display. Can't say that Winterbottom really does anything for me.
But that's me. More for you guys!! Ain't gonna stop me from lookin'. Maybe it'll grow on me.
But that's me. More for you guys!! Ain't gonna stop me from lookin'. Maybe it'll grow on me.
Take care and God bless,
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
- OLDE CUTLER
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 4333
- Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:11 pm
- Location: South Dakota
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
The last time I ordered from Culpepper, I got this pair of Winterbottom slabs. I agree that they are not for everyone or every knife, but they have their moments. Now to find a good candidate for these.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
The closest thing I have is this little Whitetail. I don’t know what the scales actually are. They are unusually thick anyway.
I’m too young to be this old!
“Hey Ann, gotchyer knife?!”
“Hey Ann, gotchyer knife?!”
- gsmith7158
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 8548
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 7:25 pm
- Location: Canton, Ga. 100% of the time
- Contact:
Re: Why do they call it “Winterbottom “
Yes Joe, I have. If you will look Jerry's(RalphAlsip) post you will see that his Case and Son's knives have similar jigging.FRJ wrote:That's very creative jigging, Greg. Have you ever seen jigging like that before?
------------------
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.