Saynor, Cooke & Ridal Curious Design - Any Thoughts, Ideas, Info?

[herbva]

I recently picked up this interesting design Saynor, Cooke & Ridal knife and would appreciate any information or ideas. According to Goins, the "Saynor Cooke & Ridal" tang stamp was used starting in 1877, to the present. The shape of the blade looks like what I have seen described as a "real lambfoot". The handle is one piece, no seams, and looks like it was carved out of bone, or perhaps ivory? (I don't see and of the haversian canals that would indicate bone.) The shape is very unusual, and I'm wondering if this was made to be used as a budding knife? Any info or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[New_Windsor_NY]

I.....

Nice knife, Herb.
Try here:
https://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_ ... hp?t=46470

Also, here on AAPK.

[Reverand]

Wow Herb, I am impressed by the craftsmanship that went into making such a handle! And it has obviously been well cared for, as I don't expect that it would withstand much abuse without cracking.
I am no expert, but I am leaning toward "ivory" as the handle material. I did not think so at first glance because the striations look odd, but after expanding and studying the images I revised my opinion.
You are quite blessed to be the caretaker of that knife!

[ea42]

Herb that looks like a budding/grafting knife similar to the one in Skip's post. The blade probably started out as a sheep foot, I don't think I've ever seen this style knife with a lamb foot blade although the sharpening process will make them look like a lamb foot after a while. The butt end was likely originally longer and tapered to a thin end. Used to pry bark open to insert a new bud graft. I'd say it's definitely ivory. That hole was also added by someone, they didn't put shackle holes in those knives. Great piece!!

Here's one like yours but with horn handles. Well used but with original handle length:

Eric

[Mumbleypeg]

Great old knife, no doubt it started its life as a budding knife. Reading the post from Lee (Longblade) that Skip linked, the maker specialized in agricultural knives (although they made a lot of others). I suspect it would be hard to find anything about the company or its owners other than what is in Lee’s thoroughly researched post. He wrote for Knife Magazine so I need to see if possibly he wrote an article about horticultural knives for them.

There’s a picture of a similar knife in that thread (might be the same as yours before modification).

Ken

[ea42]

Here's an old 1885 catalog cut of Saynor horticultural knives. Herb's is on the far right:

Eric

[Ridgegrass]

Great piece Herb. (Hope it didn't come from my neck of the woods. ) JMHO but that spud looks a bit thick to be a budder. The tapered spring could indicate it was once like the other one shown by Erik ,(That one looks slimmer.), and was rehandled with the nice ivory. Anyway, it's a beauty. I have some Saynor's, they're nice. J.O'.

[ea42]

J.O. I think the end of Herb's handle was either intentionally cut back or broke at some point. It was actually longer and more tapered at one time. It'd be extremely difficult to rehandle a knife with that layout. I believe this would have been the original length of Herb's knife. I believe this one's an ivory version:

Eric

[Gunsil]

I agree that Herb's knife is a cut down budding/grafting knife and I also believe it is ivory.

[Ridgegrass]

Hmmm. Never gave that a thought. Makes sense. J.O'.

[herbva]

J.O. I think the end of Herb's handle was either intentionally cut back or broke at some point. It was actually longer and more tapered at one time. It'd be extremely difficult to rehandle a knife with that layout. I believe this would have been the original length of Herb's knife. I believe this one's an ivory version:

Saynor Grafting Knife 3.jpg

Eric

Thanks Eric and everyone else! I just compared mine to the last picture that Eric posted, and I have no doubt that is the same knife, including the very finely threaded bolsters. Except, of course, without the modifications to the butt end of my knife that some previous owner apparently made. Thanks again everyone!

[ea42]

Enjoy that knife Herb!! Definitely a top of the line company, just the details of the liner work in that groove is amazing!



Eric