national blade knives?

[ricknra]

i bought a knife a few years ago, its a really nice knife bone handles the blade is inscribed with a tall ship and star of india above the ship. the tang stamp says national blade surgical steel japan. the handle on one side has a scrimshaw scene of a ship "i assume its the star of india" and its signed joe luiz. i found him in newport rhode island he owned a shop he was a well known scrimshaw artist who had died about 12-13 years ago now. what i want to know is, is there anyone who watches this blog who might know about national blade?

[Railsplitter]

I don't know anything about National Blade but I have a similar knife. You can see the tang stamp if you look closely. Click photos to enlarge. I believe that Charles W. Morgan is the name of the ship but I'm not sure about that.

[Paladin]

Goins lists a NATIONAL PRODUCTS MFG. CO. and dates it to about 1917 in Newark, NJ. There is no other helpful info given.
I am not sure this info relates but it is all I have.

Ray

[Railsplitter]

I have mine listed in my records as a "Parker" National Blade but I don't think Parker's name is stamped anywhere on the knife. I think the seller I bought it from sold it as a Parker knife. Maybe these are Jim Parker creations?

[Gunsil]

I don't know about the knife maker, but the Charles W Morgan is the only surviving original American whaling ship left in existence. The Morgan was built in the 1840s. She was rebuilt a few years ago at the Mystic Seaport museum in Mystic, CT and that is where she stays. If any of you ever get up that way the Mystic Seaport Museum is a great place to visit if you and/or your family likes seafaring history. It is a restored small village with several working old sailing ships you can go on including the Charles W Morgan, and some shops and demonstrations of lost arts such as making rope the way they did hundreds of years ago. Mystic is also where the Northeast Cutlery Collector's Association holds their annual two day knife show around May 1st every year. I think this knife was made for sale at the Mystic Seaport and likely to raise money for the restoration of the Charles W Morgan which took several years and lots of money.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Anecdotal at best, but "National Blade" causes me to think "Bruce Voyles".

Charlie Noyes

[peanut740]

Anecdotal at best, but "National Blade" causes me to think "Bruce Voyles".

Charlie Noyes

Me too.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Or, maybe that was "American Blade" as in American Blade Collectors Association.

Charlie Noyes

[peanut740]

Maybe,both used Parker knives.

[ricknra]

how do i add a photo of the knife? its a really nice knife and i want to show a picture of it. its scrimshawed and has the same type of etching on the blade but its the star of india and the scrimshaw is by joe luiz

[Railsplitter]

I would love to see a picture. The tutorial in this link might help you get er done. Click on the pictures for a better enlarged view.
viewtopic.php?f=98&t=50258

[Lawrence]

Here's one that I found a few years ago, but the scrimshaw is pretty well worn off. Is it considered scrimshaw if it isn't etched or carved deeply? cheers

[Paladin]

Here's one that I found a few years ago, but the scrimshaw is pretty well worn off. Is it considered scrimshaw if it isn't etched or carved deeply? cheers

That knife is extremely reminiscent of Jim Parker. I'd say it had Jim Parker written all over it.

Ray

[orvet]

I agree with Ray, 99% sure it is Parker.

[terryl308]

Larence, To answer your question about scrimshaw, I would call your knife scrimshawed. Scrimshaw is made by just using a sharpe pointed tool, like a needle or really sharp awl, then india ink applied , then wiped off so the ink just stays in the scratches. so if used a lot it could be worn off in time. Horn or ivory are the most common material used to scrimshaw on. Terry

[kootenay joe]

100% Parker.
kj

[ricknra]

[image][/image][image][/image]

i bought a knife a few years ago, its a really nice knife bone handles the blade is inscribed with a tall ship and star of india above the ship. the tang stamp says national blade surgical steel japan. the handle on one side has a scrimshaw scene of a ship "i assume its the star of india" and its signed joe luiz. i found him in newport rhode island he owned a shop he was a well known scrimshaw artist who had died about 12-13 years ago now. what i want to know is, is there anyone who watches this blog who might know about national blade?

[ricknra]

[image][/image]

i bought a knife a few years ago, its a really nice knife bone handles the blade is inscribed with a tall ship and star of india above the ship. the tang stamp says national blade surgical steel japan. the handle on one side has a scrimshaw scene of a ship "i assume its the star of india" and its signed joe luiz. i found him in newport rhode island he owned a shop he was a well known scrimshaw artist who had died about 12-13 years ago now. what i want to know is, is there anyone who watches this blog who might know about national blade?

[Butch53pig]

I just acquired a National Blade with Siren etched on the blade and scrimshaw bone handle, a very nice looking knife. At first sight I figured that it was a Parker, despite what people say about Parker I have 6 different patterns all are bone 4 different names on the tang and I like them! At least they're not made in China. Some day they'll be collectable. Just my opinion. Butch

[ricknra]

wow it took 6 years to find this again and finally a picture, it is a national blade not american blade and it is a parker, parker\case had quite a few knife makers over in japan in the 80's this is just one. i'll have to figure out a close up of the tang stamp and the scrimshaw with signature, but everything i found on luiz was he was one of the top scrimshanders of new port and the entire east coast but he's not around anymore

[doglegg]

Congrats on your find ricknra.

[Newhere123]

Hello my names Caleb, I found a knife onboard USS Hopper DDG70 in 2015 while on deployment in the rafters of a p-way while cleaning. Today I found it while going through some of my old things. It is remarkably similar to a knife shared on this form. Did anyone ever find anymore information on this knife? Here’s some pictures of mine

[Mumbleypeg]

Nice find Caleb, and welcome to AAPK. If you do a simple internet search for "National Blade Knife" you get a lot of information. Sort out the typical crap that comes along with the returned info. Also look at images of knives that the search finds. What you'll learn is that they're a Parker production, made in Japan, with scrimshawed handles and/or etched "surgical steel" blades. Those I saw depict sailing or nautical themes.

My conclusions, FWIW:
"Surgical steel" is typically 440A stainless steel which is an inexpensive low grade steel. The knives being made in Japan (Sekai) means they're reasonably good quality. Earlier posts in this thread speculate about the scrimshaw being done by a New England artist - I doubt that. My guess is it was done in Japan, likely by machine. Why make a knife in Japan and bring it to New England to have hand scrimshaw applied? Lastly, a search of eBay sold listings for "National Blade knife" will find numerous transactions, none of which brought much money. All in all they're nice knives for the money but not high collector value.

Ken

[Ridgegrass]

Here's a 2-3/16" National Blade Barlow. Nice little piece. J.o'.