Brandford Toe Nail

[QGofLake]

I've got this old elephant toe nail with bone scales. It is about 3 1/2" closed. The tang seems to be "Brandford Cutlery Co" Does this look familiar to anyone? Help appreciated.

[herbva]

According to Goins Encyclopedia, Brandford Cutlery (not to be confused with Brantford) was in operation from 1870-1900 and "Patented June 28, 1870" should be stamped on the back of the blade tang. I think this is a "sleeveboard" pattern rather than a "toe nail". Are there any small "whittler" blades at the other end?

[QGofLake]

Thank you Herbva. I cannot see anything else stamped on the back. There is the remainder of two small blades on the other side. They broke off but stamp is visible there too.

[1967redrider]

Thank you Herbva. I cannot see anything else stamped on the back. There is the remainder of two small blades on the other side. They broke off but stamp is visible there too.

That would be a Sleeveboard Whittler then, probably a Jumbo. Cool old pickbone survivor

[QGofLake]

Thanks all just measured and length is 3 7/8". Not the greatest condition considering the missing small blades. Is this still desirable and any guesses on value?

[ea42]

That was a name that Alfred Field and Co used as one of their imported knife brands specifically imported from Germany, late 1800's to early 1900's. Another was H. Cromwell Criterion Cutlery. Might be worth 10 or 20 bucks in that condition for someone who collects that stamp, less overall.

Eric

[Mumbleypeg]

Always amazed that more folks don’t use the keyword search function to find info here on AAPK. A simple search for “Brandford” will find several old posts here about Brandford knives. Including pictures.

Ken

[stockman]

Sometimes folks just want to show what they have found.

Harold

[Ridgegrass]

Levine says BranDford was a German import c.1870's. Here's a BranTford hawk bill. Levine says it may have been a brand of Butler Bros. wholesalers, c.1900 Chicago. Their slogan was "Warranted Never Dull", but this one only has the tang stamping. It is cocobolo or rosewood, with iron liners and bolsters. Nice knife, lots of snap. I'd like to know more. J.O.

[herbva]

Levine says BranDford was a German import c.1870's. Here's a BranTford hawk bill. Levine says it may have been a brand of Butler Bros. wholesalers, c.1900 Chicago. Their slogan was "Warranted Never Dull", but this one only has the tang stamping. It is cocobolo or rosewood, with iron liners and bolsters. Nice knife, lots of snap. I'd like to know more. J.O.

J.O., all of my reference books also indicate that "Brantford" was a trademark of Butler brothers. Perhaps two of the Butler brothers were named "Brant" and "Ford"? Just wondering..........

[Mumbleypeg]

Sometimes folks just want to show what they have found.

Harold

My point exactly. If you want to know what you have found, most of the time there’s an answer already here. AAPK’s “Search” for some reason is an underutilized feature. Such a shame to not take advantage of a great resource.

Wouldn’t want to discourage folks from posting their finds though - we all like to see them.

Ken

[QGofLake]

Always amazed that more folks don’t use the keyword search function to find info here on AAPK. A simple search for “Brandford” will find several old posts here about Brandford knives. Including pictures.

Ken

Hello Mumbleypeg. I did use the search feature, and I sure love it! Read the other discussion about a Brandford but it was a different knife. Plus, I do want to show this as I think its pretty cool. On the bright side, now there are two discussions about a pretty obscure knife brand.

[QGofLake]

Thanks all for the insight.

JO that sure is a nice hawkbill you have there.

[ea42]

Guys the OP's knife is Brandford, not Brantford. Brantford was a totally different company, a subsidiary of Butler Brothers and possibly made by Camillus. BTW if you're familiar with Ben Franklin and Federated department stores those were Butler Brothers franchises. Like I said above Brandford was a name that Alfred Field used on a line of their German import knives.

Eric

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks Qgo,
Herb, always a good laugh. J.O'.

[herbva]

Thanks Qgo,
Herb, always a good laugh. J.O'.