All About Pocket Knives

On that note,
I have somewhat of a revelation after rereading this thread . Remember I mentioned Bill Howard said he found an A Fields box while at the Queen factory. I stated above it would have most likely been a relic from the Schatt and Morgan era in that factory (as Schatt and Morgan inhabited the building prior to Queen).

A couple of the last (almost) two knives I have acquired disappointed me when they arrived in the mail. Some auction listings do not specify the length or other features. Always ask questions.

As I've reiterated almost all farmers jacks are apx. 4" long, a large knife to my reckoning,with rare exceptions.. The first one, A Fields, came in at 3 3/4". A 1/4' doesn't sound like much,but in knife making it's gigantic,as seen in the first scan of the A Fields and a Schrade. This last one ,Schatt and Morgan came in and to my surprise was also a somewhat miniature farmers jack. These small ones are rare,Holly being the only other conventional frame small one I've seen, but still a little larger than these.

The ebony is the Schatt and the jigged bone (Schatt jigged bone at the time I figure) is the A Fields stamped. Thanks to Bill Howard for putting this idea in my head and the Lord for letting me get these two knives.

Schatt and Morgan did make some Alfred Fields knives.... Same knives,even the shields are the same.

Yes Sir. Thank you, Lyle.

Those Farmers Jacks are always nice to look at no matter the size.

I found this a field company progress knife 2 days ago. anybody know anything more about it. The ivory extension out the back is about 5 cm long. What was it used for?

There is another current thread with the same style knife. "Rare old ones" I think is the thread.
I know them as "grafting" knives used to "graft" tree branches as in apple/cherry or lemon/orange. They may also be known as budding knives but I am not sure.

The ivory or brass (on some) spud at the rear is used as a gauge for whittling a notch into the receiving branch. The donor branch is cut into a "V" wedge, and they are tied together until the graft becomes permanent.

Hmmm. Another one.

Thank you for the information on the grafting knife. Would you have an idea of the value of it

I picked up this extremely battered A Field & Co Progress for five bucks, which is about four too many, I suspect. It screamed “I’m old! Save me!”, so I did!
I’d like to know a closer date for it than pre 1942, which is all I’ve found. Yes, I know, it’s pretty much worthless but there’s just something about it that I like.

That's got a heck of a shield on it, zoogirl. I'll say that for it. And maybe Schrade bones.

Here's a florist knife I kind of like. 4" and thin.

It's been a while since anyone has posted to this topic, but I have an interesting Sheffield made A. Field & Co boy's jack knife with a cast iron handle. It has the tightest spring of any small knife I've owned, a real nail breaker. According to my research, the stamp dates from pre 1942. What has me stumped is the symbol on the handle. Anyone know or have an idea what it might signify?

Great older knife. My guess of age is that it was manufactured before WW II, maybe 1920's even ? I have not seen this arrow through a diamond outline before so cannot be of any help. I'm just admiring your knife.
kj

Lama wrote: ↑Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:34 pm It's been a while since anyone has posted to this topic, but I have an interesting Sheffield made A. Field & Co boy's jack knife with a cast iron handle. It has the tightest spring of any small knife I've owned, a real nail breaker. According to my research, the stamp dates from pre 1942. What has me stumped is the symbol on the handle. Anyone know or have an idea what it might signify?

Hi Lama,

First off I LOVE THAT SHIELD Possibly represents a bow (the diamond shape) being drawn to shoot the Arrow I found this reference to trademarks used by Alfred Field & Co., not sure if the pic of your shield is a trademark used by “Continental Cutlery Company(owned by A. Field & Co.)”, but I know that they were also making knives in Sheffield, England from 1915-20. Best guess is that your knife was made by “Continental Cutlery Co” between 1915-20. Thanks for sharing this GREAT & unique piece! Best Regards, Chad.

Wow! Thanks for the comments and info, KJ and Chad. This is some great background history about my knife and solves a mystery I've been pondering with the diamond arrow logo. Another interesting thing about this knife is, it's made from four pieces, two cast iron handle scales, a steel spring, and the blade. It definitely has a home with my other knives.

Best,
Michael

Neat history, thanks for posting!

I'm not sure where I picked this hawkbill up, maybe a Rusty Rooster find?

A.FIELD & Co
PROGRESS

Got my first A. Field and discovered this thread.

That's a nice one, Ike!

I found this broken A Field & Co Progress knife in an antique store for $2.50.
It's shield says "Boy Scout", though I am fairly sure that it not an official Boy Scout knife (I believe that I read once that this was a common practice on some imported Camper knives at one time).
Some bone is missing on the mark side, but it will go into the Parts-or-repair box until I figure out something creative to do with it.

Thought I had a Sheffield A Field & Co. Progress. Nope. Guess it's US made. Thanks for the lessons all. Nice Ben Hogan though, and like the single blade lighter weight in the pocket. Big knife but very thin and not a cumbersome carry.

Nice one Ivory.

Ivoryman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 5:03 am Thought I had a Sheffield A Field & Co. Progress. Nope. Guess it's US made. Thanks for the lessons all. Nice Ben Hogan though, and like the single blade lighter weight in the pocket. Big knife but very thin and not a cumbersome carry.

A very nice good looking knife, Ivoryman. Good catch!

Thanks Joe, given the longer lenth, it's not as heavy as one might think. Very thin. Thanks again.

I read this thread several years ago when I first found this little knife, but a friend recently posted another A. field and co. knife and it made me think of mine again. Looks like it was likely a one arm razor with a nice arch tang stamp, ebony handles and a great federal shield. What do you think?

Edge_centric wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:26 pm I read this thread several years ago when I first found this little knife, but a friend recently posted another A. field and co. knife and it made me think of mine again. Looks like it was likely a one arm razor with a nice arch tang stamp, ebony handles and a great federal shield. What do you think?

I know it's a nice old example of a prolific hardware merchandiser , and that's about it. I have he later stamps and also the same as your stamp , which I'm sure is an older knife.