This forum is dedicated to the discussion and display of old knives. The rich history of all the many companies that made them through the early years will be found here as well as many fine examples of the cutlers art. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here!
A pocket knife is still an intimate personal possession of the individual who carries it and consequently deserves the best of materials, finish and workmanship in its production. (Quoted from Boker's 1928 cutlery catalog).
These old ebony handled knives are really interesting. Like FRJ said, they are, almost by definition, old. They have a history. And, when full, the master blades are really something, aren't they?
I recall seeing a whole display of these at an NKCA Knife Show once. Most impressive. I thought about abandoning my efforts with Robesons and going ebony instead.
Beautiful knives everybody.
Charlie Noyes
DE OPPRESSO LIBER
"...Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons ___but they are helpless against our prayers. "
Joe that is a nice bunch. Nice shields, and the grinders didn't get them all, it looks like a lot of meat left on most of the blades.
I lot of them were made "close to home" too. The American Plymouth is a tough one I know, I will have to look up Plymouth Knife Co. Was it made up there too?
Hi, Bret,
I believe that the American Plymouth was made in what was then known as Plymouth Hollow.
Plymouth Hollow is no more. Now that area is known as the Reynolds Bridge area, part of Thomaston, Ct.
Thomaston is known for, among other things, as the home of Seth Thomas clocks.
I now live in Plymouth and at one time I lived in Thomaston for 3 years.
Here's some better pictures of the old relic.
Very nice knives posted. Here are mine. I have read that ebony can be lighter with lines so I am not sure how to exactly tell ebony from cocobola, which some of mine may be?
Top pic left to right: 2 Hibbard Spencer Bartlett, Ulster, 3 Keen Kutter, Dwight Divine & Sons, Cattaraugus, 2 Challenge, Valley Forge
Bottom pic: 2 Hibbard Spencer Bartlett, Camillus
Here's some of mine;I know I have more I just haven't gotten to them yet.
Picture#1
Holley
Waterville
American Knife Co Plymouth
American Shear & Knife.
Picture#2
Ulster
Empire
Camillus 3 line
Humason&Beckley
Ulster
Picture#3
New York Knife Co.
John Copley Cast Steel(the scales on this are 1/2" thick)
Russell Green River Works
Queen City
Picture#6
Lenox
American Knife Plymouth(sec.blade is a brass folding ruler patented April 1868)
Remington R1072
Fletcher Hardware Detroit
George Woodhead(one of my oldest knives circa 1850)
More nice ones Danno & K7! The contrast between the black and silver really makes the shields stand out. Lots of scarce makers showing up in this thread too.
Wow, some truly beautiful old knives here, fantastic!
I posted this one elsewhere, but it fits in here too! J Pritzlaff HDW Co. Milwaukee
Company in buisness 1850--1951.
If anyone has any more info on this one I would love to hear it!
Mike
J Pritzlaff HDW Co. Milwaukee.jpg (49.33 KiB) Viewed 5067 times