All About Pocket Knives

I picked this up in an antique shop near Lancaster, PA and was hoping someone here might be able to help me identify it. I suspect it is quite old--as for how old that is the question. Makers mark on the blade appears to be GRAYSON, but I could be way off with that. Measures about 8 1/4 overall, blade is about 3 1/4 inches. Bone handle. What are your thoughts on age and origin? My plan is to use it as a model to build a reproduction at some point.

A few more pictures of it. First is a photograph of an archelogical find on display in the Museum of London. The measurements of this one are nearby identical to what the museum piece is. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

I get "GRAYSON" too and think I've heard that type of jigging referred to as "scratted." Looks pretty old and English to me, I'm sure some better opinions will be along soon.

Thanks for posting this! And to AAPK.

Nice looking knife.

I have this one that is very similar, the blade is stamped Cast Steel.

That is neat, any idea of the age on that one?

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RARE ANTIQUE GRAYSON CARVED BONE STAG NAVY WHALER SAILORS ROPE KNIFE OLD VINTAGE

Status: Completed Sold Price: $122.5 # of Bids: 14
2017-10-08 00:37:31 Search Ebay: Antique Knife
Ebay Affliate link (Title) RARE ANTIQUE GRAYSON CARVED BONE STAG NAVY WHALER SAILORS ROPE KNIFE OLD VINTAGE

is this the same knife you have ? was sold on ebay 2017.

The ol' eBay completed listings search comes through again!

44-henry wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:11 am I picked this up in an antique shop near Lancaster, PA and was hoping someone here might be able to help me identify it. I suspect it is quite old--as for how old that is the question. Makers mark on the blade appears to be GRAYSON, but I could be way off with that. Measures about 8 1/4 overall, blade is about 3 1/4 inches. Bone handle. What are your thoughts on age and origin? My plan is to use it as a model to build a reproduction at some point.

I would say mid 1800s.

Sure looks like the same knife. It wound up in Lancaster, PA and I didn't pay anything close to what it sold for on Ebay. Definitely the oldest pocket knife I currently own.

A very good find.

You posted the knife on BF and I sent an answer with info on the maker

I had seen the information you provided on the other forum, but it seems seems that Benjamin Grayson & Son were involved more in the work of Britannia metal goods and electro plate. I didn't see any indication of him employed as a cutler. He could have been in his earlier years I suppose. Maybe I missed something though. I also see that the Sheffield directory of trades and professions lists a Grayson in 1821-1822, but again the occupation may not be right either. I wouldn't have a hard time believing this knife could be closer to the 1820's than the 1870's though.