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!
Member of The West Texas Chapter Of Gun Ownin', Pickup Truck Drivin', Jingoistic, Right Wing, History Changin', Huge Carbon Footprint Leavin' Conspirators.
I just won this on the bay. You say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, well there's some beauty here! This is an old Electric Cutlery Co. knife never heard of them before but this is a beaut! Any info that yall may have would be amazing, thanks in advance!
I think that's probably true, Bill.
I'd like to think that the previous owners of these knives would approve of the care they are getting now.
At some point these knives and all my other knives will be in someone else's care.
Probably my daughter and my son. And they will care for them.
Thank you, Lyle.
I have learned to appreciate it much more that when I first bought it thanks to you.
I was fortunate to get it for not much money on the bay.
I was inspired, and still am, because of your stunning collection of Farmers Jacks. Thank you.
Here is one that I have owned for nearly 40 years.It came out of a collection of really old knives that a friend of mine had purchased for the military pieces and then sold off the rest. Several of the knives had this particular type of repair to the handles. On this particular knife it appears that the horn may have been eaten away by dermasid larvae (although I don't understand why the pile side handle remained unscathed)and whomever owned the knife had applied a type of cutler's cement to repair it.It isn't the characteristic color or cutler's cement(usually a reddish brown from the brick dust ingredient)but it looks to be the correct consistency.
Not sure of the exact age but I think it may be pre-1900.I base this on the characteristics of the knife:The color of the steel;the steel pivot pin(on an English knife this indicates early manufacture)the rope design on the bolsters and the way they are fused to the liners(the liners are tapered toward the front in thickness)and mostly the way the backs of the tangs are flush with the back springs.
Here are a couple of REALLY old knives that could be considered relics.
The first is a 2 blade(2nd blade is a small marlin spike)lockback that has as it's only marking the severed head of a pig and the word,"Barneria" stamped next to it.Research discovered that it is an old French marking that dates to the 1700's. I don't hink this one is that old but the pique work(the small silver pins) were a popular decoration on knife and razor handles for a relatively short period of time(circa 1840-1850) which sounds about right. The lock has to be manually pushed down for it to function and the repair to the handle with cutler's cement ar about par for a knife this old. An unusual feature is the steel front bolster and the brass rear one.
The second one is another of French origin: a figural knife of the Eiffel Tower made of pressed horn and nickel silver bolsters marked DEPOSE on the handle.Blade shows considerable wear.Likely a souvenir knife of the late 1800's.A chunk of one handle is missing and would be very difficult to repair successfully due to the design.