Old Pruning and Horticultural Knives

[JohnR]

Charlie, I find that very interesting, thanks. I recall someone, maybe Lyle, refer to them as West Virginia switchblades.

[djknife13]

What a great bunch of knives, Dave. That American Shear looks to be in fine shape.
Any chance of a close up of that one?

Joe, here's the American Shear. This one has a steel butt plate. My records show I have another one but without the etch that I bought 5 years before this one so now I have more exploring to do in my safe. Someday this mess will all be in order but probably not by me. Oh, I found it already. It is the same knife but has a larger stamp on the tang. Both stamps are arched American with Shear & Knife Co. ____Dave

[LongBlade]

That is one awesome American Shear & Knife Co Hawkbill Dave .... just so nice from all aspects ..... Great score!!!

[djknife13]

Thanks Lee. I'm always a little amazed when I see a hundred year old knife, especially one that is considered a basic working knife as opposed to a Sunday knife in nice condition. Almost all of my hawkbills show a fair amount of use. I'd sure love to know some of the histories.____Dave

[FRJ]

Dave, thanks for taking the time to show that fine old knife.
Probably one of the most desired stamps. At least in this neck of the woods.
That is a real treasure.

[CheckSix]

How about an early 50's S-W #190 Budding knife? That also happens to be ivory.

[JohnR]

Dave, love that budding knife!

Picked up the Wostenholm last week, large for a bare end, almost the size of a capped end pruner. The stag is interesting, ground to fit, looks like second cut stag. I think this one is pre 1890. Other pruner in the picture is later Wostenholm, gives an idea on size and stag.

[LongBlade]

Nice hawkbills John .... I have one pre-1860 Wostenholm hawkbill I will post soon - be nice to see the comparison ...

[JohnR]

Thanks Lee!

[djknife13]

I sure do love those big IXL hawkbills. ____Dave

[LongBlade]

Here’s an old Wostenholm Hawkbill that no doubt suggests ‘There ain’t no stag like old stag” at least to me … Old stag like this just trips the old trigger and on one of my favorite patterns too….

This Wostenholm at 4 1/2” has just very appealing thick aged stag (to me aged stag, ivory and in many cases jigged bone just has the special appeal and in many cases because they were well handled over the years they also sport a richer color… Interesting aspects of this knife include the integral liners and bolsters (suggesting pre-1860), the notable blade etch of I*XL which has a different font than most Wostenholm blades, and some nice rat tail bolsters as well… I even posted a photo of the integral liners and bolsters for those interested which also gives some idea as to the slab of stag used for the handle covers….. Blade still has bear trap snap and a solid half stop – and not abit of wobble… tight as the day it left the shop and a real handful of knife with some weight as well …

Thanks for looking!!

Integrated liners and bolster:

[espn77]

What a great knife. Awsome stag, deep blade etch. I like it.

[FRJ]

Another beautiful knife, Lee. What a gem that is.

[wlf]

Some fine knives fellas. Wasn't me John.

Lee ,I like how the stag is curved with the frame,a nuance Tony Bose has adopted on his knives.

[LongBlade]

Thanks very much espn77, Joe and Lyle ...

Lyle - I don't know Bose's knives very well though I know he is one of the top knife makers out there today... what I like about his style and knives from all I have seen or read is that he makes awesome traditional knives based on old knives of interest ... in fact my Empire made Shapleigh Cattle Knife was the basis for his Cattle knife made a few years ago as a Bose Case collaboration which I only learned after posting my knife ... but going back to your point about the stag being curved with the frame is something very appealing and is seen on my George Butler Peach Pruner as well

[JohnR]

Lee, that Wostenholm is a stunner!

[LongBlade]

Thanks John ...

[steve99f]

Now that is some great stag Lee. Interesting note with the bolsters and liners, one piece of iron for each side Lee?

[LongBlade]

Now that is some great stag Lee. Interesting note with the bolsters and liners, one piece of iron for each side Lee?

Thanks Steve ... Yes the liners and bolsters were forged as one solid piece. In general this was a mark of pre-1860 Sheffield made knives but more recently I have seen many older Barlows that were post-1860 that also used integrated liners and bolsters, and in fact some pruners with hawkbill blades as well. I have a Waterville Mfg Co Boys Knife with sheepsfoot blade that was made here 1840-50s and interestingly it also has integrated liners and bolsters. Related to that Waterville employed all Sheffield Cutlers who emigrated here to do their work and I guess they brought the "know-how" over with them and used it here... but in general I have not seen many American made knives with integrated liners and bolsters...

[steve99f]

Thanks for the details lee.

[LongBlade]

Hatch Cutlery Co (1885-1899; Bridgeport CT) was started by a Sheffield Cutler, Fred Sackley, who emigrated to the US. His partner in the start of the company was a gentleman with the last name of Undy (first name unknown). In less than one year the company was sold to George Hatch who retained the business until 1899 when it was sold to Challenge Cut Co. Hatch made quality knives though finding one or any in good condition has been a challenge (no pun intended ) … Note a few different stamps have been noted on Hatch knives but most I have seen are stamped similar to this pruner...

This Hatch Cutlery Co Hawkbill has a closed length of 4 & 3/8”. Nice cocobolo handles with brass pins and a brass liner. The nickel silver bolster also seems to have abit of a brassy look in the right light... The tang stamp is abit worn as noted in the photo but reads “The Hatch (curved)/Cutlery Co/Bridgeport CT” … Still hard snapping and tight…

Thanks for looking!!

[FRJ]

That is a beautiful Hatch hawkbill, Lee. There can't be too many of those around.
That is in great condition for being at least 117 years old.
Congratulations on that one.

[peanut740]

Picked this one up today at the Central Kentucky Knife Show.Remington etched with salesman #'s on back.

[peanut740]

Got this on B-i-n on Ebay last week . Maher & Grosh with deep stamped etch.Made with heavy blade stock.

[orvet]

Nice M & G Roger!
I like deeply stamped blades, they just look good.