Old Elephant Toenails/Sunfish Pattern Knives

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks guys

[RobesonsRme.com]

Very nice Dimitri.

Don't you just love that bone?

One backspring or two?

Not very many manufacturers made a swell-center toe and as far as I know, only Robeson made them with two springs.

Charlie Noyes

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks Charlie.

You really can`t beat the old Robeson jigged bone, the worm grooves make it all the better.

This knife has two springs

[bonehead]

MB, is that one from Scott Kings auction? I know he had two that were the swell center design with double back springs. I bid on the darker one but it went for more than I could do.

That is truly a nice sunfish and a special one at that, congrats BH

[Miller Bro's]

MB, is that one from Scott Kings auction?

No, I found this one locally.

That is truly a nice sunfish and a special one at that, congrats

Thank you

[Miller Bro's]

Here it is with the blades closed.

[galvanic1882]

Here is a Robeson I picked up not long ago. Has the 2 backsprings.

[wlf]

I went through this thread last night ,beautiful and great examples all. Congratulations Dimitri and Mike, you guys ,along with some others have great collections.

Roger and Roger and Charlie ,etc.I guess that's why we are here,we all like our knives.

[Beechtree]

Wow, fantastic Dimitri. That bone on that is stunning!

Mike, what and rare, great knife. The blades are full and two backsprings to boot! nice

One day, one day, (I hope) an old elephant toenail will fill my hand

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks

[b1k3hobo]

I've become really enamored with this design, even though my only personal example is a Chinese Marble's sunfish. When I start moving into making some of my own slipjoints, I'd definitely like to try this pattern- and I'd be building for rugged use foremost.

Fellows, on your worn or used up Sunfish and Toenails, what if any defects are most notable? lateral or vertical blade play? Worn end pins, or tired springs?

Does anyone have notable use-stories on the worn ones? So far the only modern semi-verifiable use case I've heard is a traditional-method barn framer, using one to tweak the fit on mortise and tenon joints-

The colorful adjectives I see in period catalogs and ephemera by the manufacturers, call these things 'vest pocket axes' or folding cleavers- which seems wildly abusive. Do you have any examples that shows wear from this type of use?

What pops into my mind when I look and use mine, is 'folding nessmuk' that said, the smaller spear point blade is showing itself to be surprisingly good at whittling. The big flat handle provides lots of leverage for torquing cuts though... perception versus practice?

I may torture test a RoughRider/Marbles to see what can be learned from one of these, but I'm curious as to what the authentic period blades can give testament to.

Thanks, and lovely examples all!

[galvanic1882]

Here are 3 Catt's and a Chattlion

[jerryd6818]

I think Tommy would enjoy seeing his posted here.

THESE BELONG TO CARRMILLUS.

[RobesonsRme.com]

I think Levine described these as electrician's knives, as well.

They have also been described as rope knives, to be driven through a rope using a wood mallet.

Would probably split kindling if used in a like manner.

Michael, those are simply superb.

Charlie

[wlf]

That bottom Cat is my choice Mike,but the Chantillion is exquisite.

The blades on that bottom Cat are absolutely grrrrrrrreat.

[dcgm4]

Wow! There are some gorgeous knives being shown in this thread!

[Miller Bro's]

I agree, beautiful additions

[thegreedygulo]

H. Boker & Co.'s Improved Cutlery.

[peanut740]

Roger that is a hard toenail to find.I have one that is well worn.Now if you could find one with a big Tree Brand etch............

[thegreedygulo]

Thanks Roger..............and believe me, I've been looking a LONG time for one with an etch. Only seen etched ones in old catalogs so far.

[edge213]

Your Boker sunfish is outstanding. I don't recall ever seeing one.

[peanut740]

I have a Valley Forge with an etch that someone badly re-profiled the master blade.It is the basically the same as a Boker.Roger would they have been made in the same factory?
For those that don't know the Boker and Valley Forge toenails are the smallest old toes at 3 7/8".

[thegreedygulo]

Thanks edge213; glad you liked it.

Roger: No way to say for sure, but I would say there is a high probability they could have been.

[Miller Bro's]

Etch or not that's a good looking knife!

[philco]

Roger you're putting on an impressive show with today's posts. That e toe is really nice.