Northfield

[268bull]

Here's my one and only Northfield I own. An exceptionaly nice quill, pen knife. It measures 2 7/8 inches long. Faux MOP handles ( celluloid ). Blades have never been sharpened. Strong snap in the blades. Bull

[FRJ]

Bull,
that is a great looking little knife.
Thanks for showing it.

[268bull]

Joe, Thank you for starting this web page on Northfield. I have to admit, I was oblivious to the Northfield knife and this site till I picked up that fine little pen. I've read a lot now on Northfield and it has all been very interesting. Bull

[toolboy]

Excelsior was a mark used by Northfield
4 3/4" closed

[knife7knut]

One last thing I have to say. When I post something Like this I have been continually disappointed in the lack of responses, but a good friend enlightened me to the fact that not everyone is crazy about vintage knife stuff like me. So to those that comment and appreciate the history of cutlery, THANK YOU and to those that ignor it and choose to delight over a modern knife, I say "look at the roots of knife and you will understand it better".

Just me venting my frustration over the lack of appreciation of vintage knives.

I understand completely David;I have posted here on several occasions and although the views were many the comments were precious few. I don't take it personally;I just enjoy sharing my knives with others and hope they enjoy them as much as I do.
I currently have a post on the Straight Razor forum that I thought people would enjoy having to do with razors other than straight.Although it got many views I had only one person respond to it. Not a problem. Another in the O/T forum had to do with some paint work I had done on a car nearly 50 years ago that was still intact and featured in a magazine that just was published.I wasn't credited in the magazine but that isn't a problem for me;it happens quite frequently.
That being said here is a rather bad picture(bottom knife)of an old Northfield folding hunter.Enjoy.

[ricky]

Is the top one a aerial

[knife7knut]

Is the top one a aerial

As a matter of fact it is;good catch! The other ones are Wilbert cutlery Chicago and a Humason & Beckley CT.The Aerial's opposite side scale had completely disintegrated due to cel outgassing but this side was untouched! That is one of the weird things about celluloid;I have had several cel handled knives do this and am at a loss to explain why.I replaced the other side to avoid further damage.

[btrwtr]

Awesome story. Thanks!

[ricky]

Very nice knive still love the aerials.

[FRJ]

Toolboy, that is a great looking knife. Thanks for showing it.

Ray, thanks for showing your knives too. Too bad about the Aerial.

[PA Knives]

NOW THATS A GREAT BIG PILE AWESOME HISTORY THERE MY FRIEND. Each of those is a treasure. Those ebony handles and dark wood scales that old knives have on them, continue to excite me. Now don't get me wrong, I love me some bone and stag, but the common man knife that was meant to be used and let's admit it "abused" and is still rocking after all these years, amazes me.

I often speculate what some of the knives of today will look like in 100 years. I'll never know, but hopefully someone will answer that questions with , "I read about some old cutlery nut from 2014 who kinda hinted that knives made during that time may not hold up as well on the job as the ones made 100 years earlier, ummmm seems old man Anthony was wiser than he thought. I am still using my old Northfield Jack made in mid 1800's"


Hey it's my fantasy and I'll dream what ever I want!

[FRJ]

David,
have you posted pictures of your Northfield somewhere?
We would love to see it. Thanks.

[PA Knives]

Here's a taste

[FRJ]

Thanks, David.
Those are beautiful knives with great looking blades.
And a nice revolver too.

[Beechtree]

Toolboy, that Excelsior is fantastic. Not to mention historically important (to me). Knives with dates are great for helping determining time lines of tang stamps. I try to keep a record of knives with dates attached and their tang stamp [I say this to encurage others to do so as well ). Oh yea, that sure is some gorgeous Northfield jigging!

K7K those are a real treat to see. The Northfield is wonderful, the dye job on that bone is a nice reddish in color. From the swedge it looks like the blade has the original finish. Is this the case? Given the rarity of seeing Northfield knives in bone (let alone at all), the condition of the jigging pattern is really nice on that one.

David, those are real beauties. I like you really love the old ebony in particular. Not only do I find the "working person" aspect compelling, but it is really hard to beat the combination of nickel silver, a full crocus polish and ebony. The jumbo jack (looks like a jumbo anyway) definitely gets the ol' blood flowing (no pun intended)

[knife7knut]

Here are closeups of two Northfields;I thought I had another pearl but can't locate it yet.

[Beechtree]

WOW! Thanks K7K, That Northfield Hunter is in the finest I have seen. I have a similar pen knife but with the dying is more black in color.

[FRJ]

Ray,
thanks for showing more of your fabulous knives. As always, they are greatly appreciated.

Beechtree, those are great pictures of a classic slip joint.

Thanks, you guys.

[ratlesnake75]

I have not posted in a while, Sorry. Very nice looking knives & guns everyone. Ebay keeps me pretty busy these days.
Here is my Latest Northfield knife. Knife has "Horn" handles & is 4 3/8" closed.
Thanks,
Mark

[galvanic1882]

Wow what a beauty!!

[peanut740]

That`s a fine knife.Love the etch.

[bladeguy58]

FRJ,
I just came upon this post and it's a great one even though I only have a one of the newer knives that is just stamped Northfield. I especially enjoyed your story because I love finding list bits of history like that and I too am a owner of that book. I got mine for $20 from a gentlemen that worked at Western Knives. When I got it's front cover was warped but it still has the dust cover and after years of flattening it is in perfect condition. I love that book and it's history. One of our friend here at AAPK talking about having one of those blocks and I agree, that would be something to have. Thanks for sharing a great story.
Richard

[FRJ]

Mark, I think it would be a real challenge to find a Northfield that would be in better shape than the one you have shown here.
We can all hope they exist. What a beautiful knife. Thank you for showing it.

Richard, thank you for posting on "Northfield". "The Knife Makers Who Went West" is a great book and you're lucky to get the boards back to good shape. "Great Eastern Cutlery" by David Anthony (PA Knives) is a book you, and every one else, would enjoy as well.
The Northfield site is a state park, (Humaston Brook State Park) although you would never know by looking at it even if you could find it, which you can.
I was standing on the edge of the road exactly where the site is in summers full bloom and couldn't see it. Didn't know I was standing virtually on top of it. The foundations were built on the edge of a steep and deep stream bed. The whole thing falls away from view and is better seen from the other side of the stream for a full view although you can approach any and all of the beautiful foundations there.
I love going up there and being so close to such a rich history of a fabulous cutlery legend. I wonder about the lives of those who worked there and how difficult and yet how simple their existence was. I think I'll go up there today.
Thanks again Richard.

[bladeguy58]

Joe,
I'm actually impatiently waiting for David Anthony's book on Tidioute-A Town with an Edge to show up. These types of books are hard to find but I know that World of Knives had a pretty good collection of them.
Richard

[cato]

dang, that is very nice,,,,, sweet!!!