Today i made

[richard]

Today i made a "prison shank", letter opener.
and a antler handled fruit knife.
thanks for looking .

[Jeffinn]

Two very cool knives.
When we’re letter openers first introduced? Seem like they fell out of favor at some point but they’re common enough that you still see them around.
Jeff

[richard]

Two very cool knives.
When we’re letter openers first introduced? Seem like they fell out of favor at some point but they’re common enough that you still see them around.
Jeff

The original letter openers were also called paper knives or erasing knives. These small devices are first mentioned around 1850, much later than most similar items that are still commonly used. These small knife-like objects were designed to cut off the letter’s wax seal and was a standard item in any desk set. Despite the relationship with knives, most letter openers are blunt, with as much as a 22mm tip to them. They have little practical use aside from opening envelopes.

[richard]

This is a nice example.

[herbva]

I've got a small collection on my desk and am amazed at the creativity! Here are a few. I always assumed the shiny Indiana State Bar Association one is fairly new, until I googled them and discovered it was founded in 1896, so, if my math is correct, this one is from 1921!

[richard]

nice collection

[richard]

Some one asked me, if i could make a oyster/ shell fish shucking knife.
so i made this.
they have not seen it yet, i hope they are not dissapointed with it.
when i make knives for friends and family i dont charge any money.
but they get what i make . no orders. for what they want.
so i will charge for this one.
so question 1 to you my AAPPK friends is do you think it is good enough to sell?
question 2 what would be a fair price to sell it for.if it is good enough to sell ?
thank you all in advance.

[terryl308]

Richard, If someone ordered you to make this, by all means charge for it. I would have done something to the deer antler however, like lightly dying it with some leather dye, then sand it and polish it. Practice on a piece of antler first. You will get different results with every different anlter. If I was doing this , I would have reversed the antler, by putting the large end away from the blade, but that's just me, no rules in handmade items! LOL. I think the small end would have fit the blade with a better "flow". Nice blade, did the customer furnish that or did you supply it? Price depends on all of the above. Figure out how much time you have invested and the value of the antler and go from there. I have made over 700 knives in the last 20 years. Terry

[doglegg]

Richard the only knife I've ever made was whittled from wood so I know nothing of how much to charge. I have never shucked an oyster so I'm ignorant on that as well. But I do enjoy craftsmanship and I like what you have done. Great looking knife. I bet the owner will be proud of it. Thanks for sharing.

[Doc B]

As doglegg said...I don't know what to charge...but, appreciate handcrafted works! I know family and friends really value the personal touch and connection to your efforts. Great work, thanks for posting!

[richard]

Richard, If someone ordered you to make this, by all means charge for it. I would have done something to the deer antler however, like lightly dying it with some leather dye, then sand it and polish it. Practice on a piece of antler first. You will get different results with every different anlter. If I was doing this , I would have reversed the antler, by putting the large end away from the blade, but that's just me, no rules in handmade items! LOL. I think the small end would have fit the blade with a better "flow". Nice blade, did the customer furnish that or did you supply it? Price depends on all of the above. Figure out how much time you have invested and the value of the antler and go from there. I have made over 700 knives in the last 20 years. Terry

Thank you for your suggestion's terry. i cut down a old dinner knife , and ground the blade to shape myself.the antler pieces i find on a friends property.
they are naturally shed pieces and quite dry.i oil and wax them . to put some life in them. and buff them on a cloth wheel.took about 2 enjoyable hours to make.
i will try your method of dyeing and sanding them.next time.
i am learning all the time.i make something nearly every day.

[richard]

feels nice in the hand

[1967redrider]

Awesome looking oyster knife. I hope it works well for your friend, nothing like fresh oysters. Deeeeeeeeeelicious!