Maybe it would be best to start with how to define a Boys Knife - after much reading etc the following in my opinion is the definition of a Boys Knife for purposes of this thread:
The majority of Boys Knives were regular barehead (sometimes curved) single or double-bladed jacks and were sized between 2 3/4” to 3 1/4” with others made slightly smaller or as large as 3 & ½” at a maximum size. The larger sizes (3 3/8” - 3 1/2”) were designed most likely for older boys – or young boys with larger hands
. Blades were a spear point on many knives though sheepsfoot blades were seen on some patterns. Clip blades were less common on Boys Knives in the early days of the 1800s but towards the early 1900s and onward they were seen more often as a blade style option. Of note is a rounded or blunt-ended blade that was made as a “safety” feature for younger children but these are indeed a rare find. Though often associated with iron or metal handles and many times embossed with a slogan, Boys Knives were made with multiple handle materials including bronze or coined brass, steel, pewter or tin-alloy, wood, horn, smooth bone and even jigged bone on occasion. Mother of Pearl (MOP), stag and ivory were used on some handles though more rare to find on a Boys Knife pattern. Most liners and bolsters were iron or steel but notably brass and nickel silver liners were found on a few higher end Boys Knives. There were no doubt fancy styles as well with rear bolsters and shields. Please share your Boys Knives from any time frame, makers etc and even if you question whether your knife fits the category feel free to post it as it makes good discussion for all!! I’ll start by posting some of mine which weren’t previously printed in the article…
These two examples of Boys Knives were made by the Thomaston Knife Co Conn (1884-1930) – a single and double bladed version both are at the same size of 2 3/4”. The single blade is the classic design with cocobolo handles. The two blade jack has a rear bolster and a bar shield, and is handled in ebony. Note the fancier two blade jack also has a crocus finish to both sides of the blades and brass liners which is not commonly found on Boys Knives. As an aside this fancy Boys Jack was a “sleeper” – ie not really used any if at all – the final polish is still even evident on the inside liner
… Not many “sleepers” exist especially in terms of old knives so I feel lucky about that score Lee
....
Otherwise it meets the criteria.
...
. In the last photo you can see how the liner was folded with spring inside - same Boys Knife Joe showed in his post but somehow this retained the ink on the wood handle over the years - "Shapleigh / Every Boy / Guaranteed" – 3 & 1/8” closed.... 