ID of Old Knives

[conncon741]

I have two knives I recently acquired that seem to be handmade and/or old. I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with their stamps. The knife with the partial asterisk has a wooden handle. The other with what appears to be a fern stamp is either wooden or antler/stag. Thanks in advance. Sorry I don't have more info...

[Mumbleypeg]

Looks like a couple of old Navaja clasp knives. The Navaja is a very old pattern believed to have orginated in Moorish Spain. Its popularity has since spread to other countries. Yours do appear old. Whether or not yours are handmade knives probably depends on your definition of “handmade”, as folding knives were commonly made by a single person (cutler) even if they were employed by a factory, until sometime in the 20th century.

Maybe someone else will recognize the mark on your knives. Nice examples. Welcome to AAPK. Here’s some additional info on Navaja style knives: search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&keyw ... =titleonly

Ken

[conncon741]

Thank you Mumbleypeg. This is really interesting context. The Navaja knives certainly have a unique style.