Old knife very different indeed

[raincrowe]

Usually when I get an older knife I try and clean it the best I can...Today I got one that I know nothing about and one I will not clean until I know more about... When I first got the knife I though it looked strange... As I looked for a name on the knife I found the master blade gone and a curved thick metal bar on the bottom which I saw as no function there is a small corkscrew type blade and another different blade who's function I don't know... The knife looks to be old and the indivdual I got it from..(Says that he was told it's goes back to the civil war or before and was used to clean or help load early pistols and revolvers)...I have no idea about the knife but it looks old and seems to in very good condition other than the missing blade
The knife is 3 3/4 inches and has nice old bone or stag handles
I'm putting the knife out there to see if anyone knows anything about this knife.... I have seen several knives in time and never one like this
Any and all information is welcome and look forward to hearing from all

[knife7knut]

Interesting oldie! Looks like the small blade is a broken corkscrew and the long thin one a typesetters tool. JMHO.

[raincrowe]

Interesting oldie! Looks like the small blade is a broken corkscrew and the long thin one a typesetters tool. JMHO.

Yes that's very interesting... it's does seem to be quite dirty like maybe it was in a print shop for several years
Another feature is the thick piece of metal that has radius shape therefore making this straight knife appear somewhat like a canoe pattern odd...
raincrowe

[knife7knut]

Interesting oldie! Looks like the small blade is a broken corkscrew and the long thin one a typesetters tool. JMHO.

Yes that's very interesting... it's does seem to be quite dirty like maybe it was in a print shop for several years
Another feature is the thick piece of metal that has radius shape therefore making this straight knife appear somewhat like a canoe pattern odd...

raincrowe

I hadnt noticed that before! When Bernard Levine was doing his 2nd edition of his book, he ran across several knives in the Smithsonians Weibusch collection that had the exact same bar and he had no clue as to the purpose! You may want to get in touch wi with him to see if he ever found out. Im sure he would be interested in seeing the knife.

[raincrowe]

Interesting oldie! Looks like the small blade is a broken corkscrew and the long thin one a typesetters tool. JMHO.

Yes that's very interesting... it's does seem to be quite dirty like maybe it was in a print shop for several years
Another feature is the thick piece of metal that has radius shape therefore making this straight knife appear somewhat like a canoe pattern odd...

raincrowe

I hadnt noticed that before! When Bernard Levine was doing his 2nd edition of his book, he ran across several knives in the Smithsonians Weibusch collection that had the exact same bar and he had no clue as to the purpose! You may want to get in touch wi with him to see if he ever found out. Im sure he would be interested in seeing the knife.

Wow....I have some of Bernard Levine early books as I've studied and colllected knives since I was very young but can't recall seeing or reading about
this type of knife...I've had a question about a knife and wrote Bernard (this was before the internet) but didn't get a response; just figured he was to busy or didn't recieve the letter....I would consider it an honor to hear from Bernard...any idea how to reach him would be appreciated?
Raincrowe

[knife7knut]

On page 285 of the 3rd edition of his book, he shows a picture of 3 knives with the bar backs. Bernard is a member of the OREGON KNIFE COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION. You could contact them.

[rea1eye]

Possible Levine address:


Bernard Levine
PO Box 2404
Eugene Oregon 97402 USA
Tel: 541-484-0294

Bob

[peanut740]

My experience with Levine is he's a jackass.

[knife7knut]

My experience with Levine is he's a jackass.

My experience with people who excel in their particular field of expertise has been that their, "people skills" can be somewhat less than ideal.
Met him once many years ago at an NCCA show when l lived in Massachusetts and he seemed personable enough. Sorry you had a bad experience with him.
Many have expressed similar feelings about Jim Parker, but love him or hate him; we cannot deny his contributions to knife collectors and the industry. JMHO.

[raincrowe]

On page 285 of the 3rd edition of his book, he shows a picture of 3 knives with the bar backs. Bernard is a member of the OREGON KNIFE COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION. You could contact them.
[/quot
Wouldn't mind seeing that information if you could copy that pg. I would be greatly appreciative!!

[raincrowe]

Possible Levine address:


Bernard Levine
PO Box 2404
Eugene Oregon 97402 USA
Tel: 541-484-0294

Bob

Thanks for the information I will try to contact Bernard again...
Hopefully with better luck

[raincrowe]

After rethinking I decided to lightly clean the knife; upon further examination I decided to take some measurements and make notes
The radius bar at the bottom of the knife is 3/16" thick and attached permanently to each bolster
looking down were the blade is missing are two backsprings setting side by side above the bar
I haven't located any name of the maker; and I have no idea what type of knife this is or what it was used for??
When the knife is cleaner I will try to make more pics
Raincrowe

[knife7knut]

Page 288

[raincrowe]

Page 288

Thanks for posting the knife pictures...the middle knife appears to more related to my knife; but one that has more features
These bar knives were made in Austria;..... Just curious did Levine mention any knife compaines who would have made these knives?
It's certainly a different approach to knife making but I like it...
Just thinking if I have seen other knives that were made in Austria....I will have get back to you on that note
Thanks a bushel
raincrowe

[edge213]

My experience with Levine is he's a jackass.

[stumpstalker]

Despite a couple of this Forum’s advanced, if not expert, collectors having had less than felicitous interactions with Bernard Levine, don’t give up on appealing to him for answers. My few attempts to communicate with the man have been rewarded with gratuitous information civilly given.

[raincrowe]

Thanks for information!.....I've been trying to research the knife but no results
The missing blade makes it more diffcult (no cutlery, country..ect)
Not sure what's the best way to contact Levine any ideas:
Raincrowe

[stumpstalker]

I would use the email address he provides his readers at the end of his monthly column in KNIFE magazine: [email protected].

[raincrowe]

I would use the email address he provides his readers at the end of his monthly column in KNIFE magazine: [email protected].

Thanks