True split back knives

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Sun Mar 03, 2019 12:09 pm

I'm a little surprised a few more split springs haven't showed up in this thread. I'm guessing there are some buried in collections where the owners haven't noticed the construction, epically if the split is near the bottom of the knife like my jack. Look again guys, you might have a rare knife and don't realize it.____Dave

ratlesnake75 · Post by **ratlesnake75** » Mon Nov 04, 2019 10:15 pm

Hey Guys, Was just passing thru & noticed this blog so I thought I would comment. I owned a very nice lockback whittler in 2015 from the Estate collection of the late Dr. Emberton as I won many of the pearl knives that year from Mr. Voyles auction. This particular knife was one of my personal favorites. Hope you guys enjoy the pics
Kindest Regards,
Mark

LongBlade · Post by **LongBlade** » Tue Nov 05, 2019 1:41 am

Interesting spring on that one Mark

...

So if I am seeing it correctly - there are 2 separate springs which end or meet in middle and one of them is also split lengthwise ??

... No doubt different..

Maker?? Parkin and Marshall - can't make out the 1st line of stamp ????

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Tue Nov 05, 2019 2:39 am

Boy would I love to see that one up close. From the pictures it sure appears to be a split back, but also a lockback. If all that is true, that had to have been a nightmare to make. It sure is a stunning knife and maybe, finally a split back whilller. ____Dave

Mumbleypeg · Post by **Mumbleypeg** » Tue Nov 05, 2019 2:49 am

Correct, that is a lockback whittler, as Mark stated. Looking at his picture of the springs, to the left is the lock for the master blade. To the right would be the split back spring on which the two secondary blades ride.

Beautiful and intricately made piece.

Thanks for showing it Mark!

Ken

LongBlade · Post by **LongBlade** » Tue Nov 05, 2019 7:52 pm

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 2:49 am Correct, that is a lockback whittler, as Mark stated. Looking at his picture of the springs, to the left is the lock for the master blade. To the right would be the split back spring on which the two secondary blades ride.

Beautiful and intricately made piece.

Thanks for showing it Mark!

Ken

Thanks Ken for pointing out the lockback

- somehow my brain did not pick that up no matter how many times I looked at it

..

djknife13 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 2:39 am Boy would I love to see that one up close. From the pictures it sure appears to be a split back, but also a lockback. If all that is true, that had to have been a nightmare to make. It sure is a stunning knife and maybe, finally a split back whilller. ____Dave

Dave - You may have missed this but Barry posted a true split spring whittler here - viewtopic.php?f=35&t=63923

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Wed Nov 06, 2019 1:33 am

I totally spaced it. I even commented on Barry's knife and then promptly forgot all about it. I suspect this sore of thing is going to happen more and more as I slip into the ranks of the guys with their pants pulled up too high and drive around with their blinker blinking. At least now we are starting to see a few more examples. Thanks for reminding me of Barry's. ____Dave

kootenay joe · Post by **kootenay joe** » Wed Nov 06, 2019 4:31 pm

It is not a split spring. Springs have been buffed so the meeting of the 2 springs is hard to see.
kj

LongBlade · Post by **LongBlade** » Wed Nov 06, 2019 5:34 pm

kootenay joe wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 4:31 pm It is not a split spring. Springs have been buffed so the meeting of the 2 springs is hard to see.
kj

KJ - I assume you mean Mark's knife above as buffed? No doubt blades were buffed and possibly springs which mask the split but I wouldn't be able to determine that unless I had the knife in hand and had a loupe... It is an interesting arrangement of the springs given the lockback..

Barry's whittler is definitely a true split spring

...

kootenay joe · Post by **kootenay joe** » Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:43 pm

Yes, i was referring to the pearl knife Mark posted. It has been posted previously in AAPK. I am familiar with the knife.
kj

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:31 pm

Drat, We are back down to one whittler, two Jacks and a hawkbill. At least we got the thread back to where someone might be looking again. I'd bet there are some in collections that the owners aren't aware of. ____Dave

ratlesnake75 · Post by **ratlesnake75** » Fri Nov 08, 2019 3:41 am

I apologize for not keeping better pics. The stamping was " XL All Parkin & Marshall Sheffield "
Kindest Regards & Blessings
Mark

ratlesnake75 · Post by **ratlesnake75** » Fri Nov 08, 2019 3:45 am

LongBlade wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 5:34 pm
kootenay joe wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 4:31 pm It is not a split spring. Springs have been buffed so the meeting of the 2 springs is hard to see.
kj
KJ - I assume you mean Mark's knife above as buffed? No doubt blades were buffed and possibly springs which mask the split but I wouldn't be able to determine that unless I had the knife in hand and had a loupe... It is an interesting arrangement of the springs given the lockback..

Barry's whittler is definitely a true split spring ...

Thank you Mr. Roland for pointing this fact out. I was NOT aware of this but it does make total sense to me as most of Dr. Embertons knives were cleaned by Herbert Aycock. If I remember corectly, Didnt you get this knife? hahahah
Kindest Regards,
Mark

ratlesnake75 · Post by **ratlesnake75** » Fri Nov 08, 2019 3:51 am

Very sorry guys that I thought this lockback whittler had split springs. I unintentionally thought it did have. Oh well, Still a cool knife to look at huh, lol
I did though happen to run across a "true split spring" knife last week on ebay. It went unnoticed & i got lucky on it!! Cant wait to post pics of it, Unfortunately its not a Whittler like what we want to see,,,,either way its a super rare find & a true split spring knife. You guys wanna see?
Kindest Regards,
Mark

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Fri Nov 08, 2019 1:08 pm

I'll sure stay tuned. Can't wait to see it. ____Dave

kootenay joe · Post by **kootenay joe** » Fri Nov 08, 2019 3:16 pm

Mark, yes i have the pearl lock back whittler and would not have 'corrected' your post otherwise. Although not a split spring it is still a significant vintage pocket knife. What it does demonstrate is that it can be difficult to assess a buffed knife from pictures.
Looking forward to the upcoming split spring knife, maybe a Jack ?
kj

ratlesnake75 · Post by **ratlesnake75** » Sun Nov 17, 2019 9:10 pm

I thought you did Mr. Roland, I sure did love that knife even now knowing it wasnt a true split spring,,,Makes no difference too me at all. Its a lovely & Very special Lockback whittler & that in itself is Rare too me.

Hey Guys, Here is my Newest Split Spring that I promised to show you guys,,,Especially for you Mr. Dave, lol
I am still in my research period for this particular knife. Knife is untouched, uncleaned as found. It may or may not be a true split spring, but it sure looks like it too me so far. I most likely will take a very fine wire wheel to rub off some of the crust/build-up on the very edge of the backspring that wraps around & sits next to the master blade when closed so we can see if it was 2-different springs or One spring that is molded & then split? I honestly dont know yet by my own pictures, lol. I cant wait to find out honestly. I will do my best to preserve the overall patina on this spot. I will update pics when I get that done. Knife is stamped "Cast Steel" out on master & on the secondary blade. Any other info is well appreciated. Its also very difficult to tell if it has Integral bolsters & Liners? It dont look it too me so far, what about you guys?

Please copy My pics to your computer so they will be in full size & then you can magnify them.
Kindest Regards & Happy Holidays everyone
Mark

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Sun Nov 17, 2019 9:58 pm

Thanks Mark. It looks like almost identical to my jack. I can't make out the maker on mine. It has cast steel out on the blade and you can see the crown and cutlers to the king but not the actual maker. I'll have to dig mine out to compare the stampings. I can't remember if the hawkbill also has cutlers to the king on it or not. ____Dave

kootenay joe · Post by **kootenay joe** » Sun Nov 17, 2019 10:39 pm

I am surprised to see that split extends almost the full length. But only surprised because on the few split spring whittlers i have seen pictures of, the split goes about 1/2 the length.
Is this a British knife ?
Very good score Mark !
kj

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 1:21 am

If I remember correctly, the split in my jack knife goes most of the way down and the hawkbill goes half way. I'll dig them out tomorrow so I actually will know what I'm talking about. Mine are both English and probably pre-date American companies. ____Dave

ratlesnake75 · Post by **ratlesnake75** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 2:19 am

Mr. Roland, The knife is Sheffield made. We know this Sir because its very common to see the protrusion of the "Kick" to the blade. Most all early
Sheffield knives were made like that
HECK YA DAVE,,,WE GOTTA COMPARE BROTHER!!! Cant wait to see more pics
Kindest Regards,
Mark

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:20 pm

Mark, I haven't forgotten you. I dug my knife out of the safe but need to be home in daylight to get decent pictures. My memory isn't (never was) as good as it should be. My true split spring jack is the same shape frame as yours but the scales are horn, the bolsters aren't as fancy, and the pen blade is the old quill style blade with the coping end. I'll try to get pictures Saturday. There isn't enough stamping on mine to tell who made it. ____Dave

ratlesnake75 · Post by **ratlesnake75** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 4:02 am

No Worries at all my man Dave!!! My knife could have had that coping blade also? Cant wait to see more pics of yours Sir
Kindest Regards,
Mark

TripleF · Post by **TripleF** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 12:39 pm

Cool thread....more info!! Thanks fellas!!

djknife13 · Post by **djknife13** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 1:53 pm

These still aren't as good pictures as I wanted but about as good as my equipment will allow. Both are true split backsprings and the makers aren't discernible on either. They are both cutlers to King William as far as I could tell. ____Dave

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