A Griffon ......

[TripleF]

Thought I'd post a pic of this GRIFFON GERMANY stag sleeveboard before it goes live tonight on ebay.

[FRJ]

Great looking knife.

[kootenay joe]

I agree, the Griffon XX Germany are nice knives. That's a fine example Scott. German folding knives don't get the respect or interest they deserve so prices are often low.
kj

[1fartsmella]

Here's one of mine. Both blades stamped Griffon XX Worcester and etched Carbo Magnetic Trade Mark. Has the Griffon logo on back. Not sure if the handles are genuine Tortoise shell or celluloid.

[FRJ]

Another great looking knife. Nice one, Barry.
I haven't seen that etch before.

[kootenay joe]

Lyle are you thinking that your "Diamond" marked knife was made by Griffon ?
I have at least 2 Diamond marked knives. I will post pics if i can find them.
kj

[Beechtree]

That is a real beaut Barry. Thanks for sharing it. I would guess it is celluloid, but, when you look at it with light shining through it, celluloid will be in distinct planes rather than dispersed through the handle while real tortoise will have the colors dispersed and fading throughout in a three dimensional way. But, It is not always easy to see. It would have been made within the time frame of when real tortoise shell was used, albeit towards the end, so it is possible for it to be real.

[bronze4u]

I know this is an old post.. But I just purchased this Griffon Cutlery Works Ring Turn!
It is on it's way to me.

I hope these scales are at least some kind of real jigged, natural bone/stag...

Kirk

[FRJ]

It appears you have a very nice knife.

[kootenay joe]

Griffon Germany or Griffon USA ?
I have a small Griffon collection but have never seen one with handles like yours.
I have never seen a Griffon Catalog. If they exist would be so helpful to have a copy. I don't even know the range of knives they made.
kj

[tendots]

Here are 3 Griffon XX Germany knives:
The Pearl 3 3/8" Serpentine pen with a superb Clip blade, saber ground
And a Stag 3 3/8" Serpentine Pen
The 3rd knife is a Lutters, Solingen. It is so beautiful i had to include it. My pics do not capture the amazing deep grain of these handles. I don't know what the wood is, if someone can tell, please post it. I think this is pre WW II, so at least 75 years old. Rare to find mint old German Jacks, not so rare with the Pen knives.

The wood on the Lutters knife migh tbe palisander,Loewen Messer used it a lot on their knives.Suppose your knife is post WW2(50-60).Loewen Messer is still activ,but for the last 30 or so years they mainly focus on industry knives.Regards Gus.

[LongBlade]

KJ - Pile side tang stamp is Griffon Cutlery Works Germany if that helps... blew up the photo and can just barely make it out.. I am sure Kirk will get better pics under the Ring Opener thread.. I am not sure if that is jigged bone - my pure guess with photos and without knife in hand is a composition faux jigged handle ....

[bronze4u]

KJ - Pile side tang stamp is Griffon Cutlery Works Germany if that helps... blew up the photo and can just barely make it out.. I am sure Kirk will get better pics under the Ring Opener thread.. I am not sure if that is jigged bone - my pure guess with photos and without knife in hand is a composition faux jigged handle ....

Thanks Lee! Yes I am truly sweating the handle material... I really hope it's jigged bone at the very least. But my gut says 'faux' should be here this week though, and time will tell!

I have looked for a real jigged bone one for a while now.. hard to come by. Either way it will be pretty nice I think..

Cheers,

Kirk

[bronze4u]

Griffon Germany or Griffon USA ?
I have a small Griffon collection but have never seen one with handles like yours.
I have never seen a Griffon Catalog. If they exist would be so helpful to have a copy. I don't even know the range of knives they made.
kj

'Griffon' Cutlery Works X X

Handles are probably faux jigged stag. But fingers crossed it's at least bone.

Kirk

[bronze4u]

Griffon Germany or Griffon USA ?
I have a small Griffon collection but have never seen one with handles like yours.
I have never seen a Griffon Catalog. If they exist would be so helpful to have a copy. I don't even know the range of knives they made.
kj

'Griffon' Cutlery Works X X Germany

Handles are probably faux jigged stag. But fingers crossed it's at least bone.

Kirk

[bronze4u]

It appears you have a very nice knife.

Thanks! We will soon see...

Kirk

[bronze4u]

That is a real beaut Barry. Thanks for sharing it. I would guess it is celluloid, but, when you look at it with light shining through it, celluloid will be in distinct planes rather than dispersed through the handle while real tortoise will have the colors dispersed and fading throughout in a three dimensional way. But, It is not always easy to see. It would have been made within the time frame of when real tortoise shell was used, albeit towards the end, so it is possible for it to be real.

I had an old 'Tortoise' vintage in question? So I carefully did the 'hot pin test'.. it confirmed it was celluloid.

Just a suggestion

KM

[gmclaney]

This example is not any where near the quality of the others that have been posted. First thank you for all of the information! It allowed me to identify the Bridgeport CT stamp. However, I cannot find another example along the lines of this knife and was wondering if anyone could provide some additional information. Thanks in advance!!

[jerryd6818]

This example is not any where near the quality of the others that have been posted. First thank you for all of the information! It allowed me to identify the Bridgeport CT stamp. However, I cannot find another example along the lines of this knife and was wondering if anyone could provide some additional information. Thanks in advance!!

[kootenay joe]

Your knife is missing the handle slabs that were attached to the brass liners. Also pivot pins have been worked on. This can indicate blade replacement, or someone just trying out their hammer on the knife for fun.
The only good thing about this beat up old wreck of a knife is that it shows you are nuts for knives, so you are at the right place because we are all 'nuts for knives' here.
I suggest you 'keep on lookin' for knives everywhere you go, but pass on the beaters & get those that speak to you and are in good shape: full blades, no pieces missing from handles, blades open & close with snap and have no looseness (wiggle when open).
There are lots of great knives in near perfect condition 'out there' so good luck in finding some of them. When you do please post pics here at AAPK.
kj

[tjmurphy]

Here's a Griffon XX in the form of a "Corn Knife". According to the historian at S.C. Johnson Wax, these were given out as sales incentives to their salesmen in 1919 or 1916, I forget now.

[Mountain Man Knives]

Here's a Griffon XX in the form of a "Corn Knife". According to the historian at S.C. Johnson Wax, these were given out as sales incentives to their salesmen in 1919 or 1916, I forget now.

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[FRJ]

Nice example there, tj.
It's nice to see the mark and pile side stamps.
Thanks for posting them here.

gmclaney, thanks for posting your knife.

[bladesinspades]

found this at a rummage sale yesterday.

it has the "griffon xx" markings. is there a way to determine place or date of manufacture for these(besides the stamp)?

also, whats this style called? its locking, has a single blade and is about 9.5 inches when open. lock? clasp?

[kootenay joe]

Welcome to AAPK !
Great knife find, looks to be in excellent condition.
This pattern is a single blade Trapper and size is usually 3 7/8" to 4 1/4" with 4 1/8" being most common.
Yours is also a "lockback".
Griffon made knives in Germany & USA. If yours is not marked "Germany" then it is of USA origin.
Age ? pre WW II and probably after WW I.
Others will be along and may add more or correct what i've posted if need be.
kj