Who is John Watts?

huntnomonkey · Post by **huntnomonkey** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:26 pm

Hello, im new to the forums and i was wondering about the nature of a knife i inherited from a good friend of mind. On the blade is engraved,
"John Watts Sheffield, England"
And the outside casing of the knife is stamped "B4*ANY" The knife has one straight edged blade, and on the other side a spike, as used in tying knots and splicing rope. I believe it to be a mariners knife of sorts, but honestly i am not entirely sure and havent been able to find a whole lot of information about john watts. Thanks in advance for your help!

Sauconian · Post by **Sauconian** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:38 pm

HELLO NEW GUY,

A photo if you can, would help the experts. This sounds like one Smilingknife might help on.

I do like the sentiment of your AKA !

Fran

huntnomonkey · Post by **huntnomonkey** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:42 pm

yah im going to see if i can get a pic up in the next few minutes.

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:58 pm

A big welcome to you!!
According to Goins Encyclopedia, John Watts was in business from 1855 until 1953. He was in the Lambert Works on Lambert St. in Sheffield. He also had an office in London. The company made Bowie type knives as well as other types of cutlery.

huntnomonkey · Post by **huntnomonkey** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:24 pm

here are some pics of the before mentioned knife as well as another knife that i believe is a kabar.

Savage1 · Post by **Savage1** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:40 am

Its a mariner's knife-the marlinspike made it easier to untie knots, amongst other things.
The firm actually dates back another century or more from what Goin's lists-your knife does not.
I have no further info but do believe Mr Watts himself was not a Master Cutler...I could be wrong.
B4-ANY is one of the companies correct logos-I can't date the knife further.

For those who have never used a marlin spike and want to try one on a big fat knot-may I suggest using hemp rope or sisal, as very tightly drawn nylon rope knots may have melted together and only a saw or knife blade will free it-of course you will end up with two short ropes rather than one long one but you'll have the knot out.

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:04 pm

Savage is right about the company. It was founded in 1765 but John Watts took-over control in in the 1850s. Fredrick ward was the original owner of the B4 ANY trademark until the mid 1880s at which time Watts acquired it. The knife itself, looks relatively recent .... post WWII IMO.

s-k

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Who is John Watts?

Who is John Watts?

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