Unknown Oldie

[Gunstock Jack]

Found this old girl at a flea market years ago. No name stamped on her. 3 1/2 inch blade, no sheath. Lonesome and neglected, I had to have her. She came willingly. The sheath shown is not original but fits her pretty good. I like the double guard and the way the handle is put together. Kinda reminds me of the old Marbles knives. Still pretty tight.

[philco]

Something says German made to me Jack.

Not sure why but it just does.

Nice old knife and great looking stag.


Phil

[andersonca1884]

Looks cattaraugus to me. Old style.

[Roush428r]

Not German or U.S. The knife was made by Pontus Holmberg who was located in Eskilstuna, Sweden. They're awesome knives and w-a-y under-rated. The blade steel is excellent.

[Gunstock Jack]

Thanks for the info, Roush. Do you know Holmberg made this knife for a fact? I've had it for years and always wondered about it's origin. I finally decided I might as well use it and put an edge on it yesterday, as it apparently hadn't been sharpened for many, many years. I put a mirror polished edge on it that is hair-poppin' sharp. The blade is convex ground, so my Lansky didn't work. I had to grind and polish it by eye and hand. Goes from about a 20 degree bevel near the tang to about a 30 degree at the point. Very stoutly made.

[Roush428r]

Thanks for the info, Roush. Do you know Holmberg made this knife for a fact? I've had it for years and always wondered about it's origin. I finally decided I might as well use it and put an edge on it yesterday, as it apparently hadn't been sharpened for many, many years. I put a mirror polished edge on it that is hair-poppin' sharp. The blade is convex ground, so my Lansky didn't work. I had to grind and polish it by eye and hand. Goes from about a 20 degree bevel near the tang to about a 30 degree at the point. Very stoutly made.

I'm probably 95% it was Holmberg and 100% sure it was either Holmberg or J.A. Hellberg, aslo of Eskilstuna. Their knives were very similar and of equal quality. I've owned several hundred of these knives over the years, and they're obviously some of my favorites. The straight guard is a little unusual for these knives, but I've owned several with this style of guard.

[Froggyedge]

I really don't know much about the Pontus Holmberg knives, but especially the handle looks...Holmbergian...

[orvet]

Jack,
Can you post a pic of the end of the pommel & the top & bottom edges of the handles?
I am wondering it the tang is exposed.

Dale

[Gunstock Jack]

Dale, the tang has a threaded nut on the end, typical of that style. In other words, it has a stick tang as opposed to a full tang.

Roush, you are spot on in your diagnosis; there is another Pontus knife on the bay, and the handle treatment and guard are identical, although it sports about a 6 1/2 inch blade similar to the Marbles Ideal. It has a blade etch and sheath with the maker's mark. My knife must've had a similar blade etch and name on the original sheath, which would explain the absence of a tang stamp.

Thanks, everyone, for all the great feedback!

As an aside; the wife and I are taking off for a week of trout fishing in Eastern Washington, so I won't be doing any posting. I'll take some picts and post them the following week. Thanks again guys!

[Froggyedge]

Have a nice trip!
And, as we say in Norwegian; Skitt fiske!

[orvet]

Good fishing Jack!
I have fished some myself up around Leavenworth WA, Fish Lake, IIRC.
My fishing buddy moved up to the San Juan Islands. I am hoping to get up there and do some fishing this year.

Froggie,
My fishing buddy and best friend of the last 38 years is a second generation Norwegian American. I went fishing with him & a friend of his from Norway, named Thor. I caught a nice size bass and Thor told me Fin Fiske, which he explained was "fine fish" in Norwegian. I was amazed how many Norwegian words are similar to the English work.
I don't think anyone takes fishing as seriously as Norwegians!

Dale

[Froggyedge]

Dale,
Yes, quite a few words are very similar!
A fish - en fisk
To fish - å fiske
Nice fish - fin fisk

Skitt fiske means...well, skitt = s... (same pronunciation too).
Doesn't sound good, but it's the same superstition at work as in "break a leg" in the theater.
Wishing a person "good fishing" is considered bad luck in Norway, so we wish him "shitty fishing!"

Thor is a common name. My father's name was Thor!