Swell Center Balloon Pattern

[upnorth]

One of my favorite handle patterns, it's easier to grip than a peanut, but is comfortable in the pocket! Here are some nice variations, from Ulster or Schrade tooling. The 5th knife looks short but is full. It is a single-spring pen. The seventh knife is approx. 1/16" short, for those students of details. Please enjoy, and show us yours!!

[ea42]

Excellent display Charlie!! I've been eyeballing 'em for about ten minutes, totally mesmerized! You can really see the originality of that Zulu blade when it's next to the others, really a cool design!

Eric

[upnorth]

I'm glad you enjoy them Eric! You are much more of a nightowl than I am!

[orvet]

Nice display Charlie.
The Schrade Walden is a 861, right?

I will have to dig some more out, but here are a couple I have pics of.

The classic Camillus #72, I have 2 or 3 of these.

[img]http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]

I just picked this one up last week. I think it definitely shares DNA with the 72.
Tang stamped FORGED/U.S.A. Goins says the stamp was used by Sears.

[img]http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]

Ya think these two are related?

Dale

[upnorth]

Peas in a pod, Dale! Or is that "Mr. Moderator, sir!"??

(Congratulations on taking on the task! )

Eric suggests some of mine are Camillus made also! What do you think??

[galvanic1882]

Would these work for this forum?? Cattaraugus whittler ???

[upnorth]

Geee! I don't know Mike !
A mint Swell Center Balloon Whittler WITH ink??
Hmmm . . . . maybe if we saw the other side, we could tell better . . .

[orvet]

NICE one Mike!

[philco]

Those of you familiar with my posts know by now I don't hesitate to put my ignorance on display. So, if I may, here goes...................

Upnorth,

Can you tell me a little about the CHASLANGBEIN knife? That's a name I am not familiar with and I'm curious about it.


Eric,

Which one is the ZULU blade?

By the way, nice knives everyone.
I like that pattern too.

Phil

[upnorth]

Phil, the Zulu Spear blade is on the 6th knife. It is like a drop point spear, or a modified wharncliffe. Compare it to the regular spear on the second knife.
Langbein was a printer's supplier. Schrade made their knife as a SFO (special factory order). It has a long pick on one blade, used in typesetting. Here's a pic of the pick !

[philco]

Thank you Charlie,

I appreciate you sharing that information with me.

That Zulu blade shows a lot of resemblance to a drop point blade IMO.

Phil

[muskrat man]

I like the "zulu spear" too, looks a lot like a drop point. Here is a pair of 10 dot case's

[upnorth]

Nice 83s MM. Love that pattern!!

FWIW, here's the Zulu in the 1936 Schrade catalog! I believe this is where the name came from. Some marketing wizard's big idea. The name kinda sticks though.

[msteele6]

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Actually, I think that Charles Langbein was a retailer of knives, I have one almost identical to the Schrade (minus the distinctive peachseed jigging) that is marked with the Chas. Langbein tang stamp on the front and "Germany" on the back, indicating that Langbein imported the knife from Germany. The etch is the same as the one shown on Upnorth's knife "R. Hoe and Co.". If you Google "R. Hoe" it will show that company as a supplier of printing supplies.

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[jonet143]

goins has half a column on charles langbein 1870-1910. advertises as a cutler and grinder. in 1910 his sons renamed it wm. langbein & bros. expanding the factory making pocket knives, etc. brl says the imported as well.

[upnorth]

Thanks for straightening that info out, Johnnie. So Hoe was the printing supplier, and Langbein was the cutlery supplier, whether they made their own, or subcontracted from Schrade. Yes?
So much for my memory ! I guess I better admit it ain't what it used to be !

[ratlesnake75]

Here is a novelty cutlery company whittler--thx Mark

[upnorth]

That one is in good shape, Mark. Usually the pictures in the handle are much the worse for wear and time.

[upnorth]

I put these back a number of years ago. Case made some of the nicest Balloon whittlers back in those days.

[ratlesnake75]

Just a SUBERB COLLECTION of case whittlers--thx for showing them--wiping off the drool now--I needed to bump up this thread tooo(LOL)---thx Mark

[ratlesnake75]

Here is one of my favorites in my collection--Made in ELMIRA, NY--c1875-1887--Swell ctr JUMBO balloon sleeveboard--over 4 inches closed--ALL blades marked Barker, Dounce, Rose & Co.--smooth bone handles---thx Mark

[galvanic1882]

Now thats a nice one with a rare mark!!! I have box from them and some paperwork too, need to dig them out.

Charlie, I am not into case at all but those are just great looking knives.

[upnorth]

Nice rare knife Mark!
Thanks for the comments Mike and Mark!
Mike, do you have any of the Case knives made in New York State? Little Valley - Gowanda?
Seems they would fall into your NYS collection, no!?

[Froggyedge]

Interesting thread with some really nice knives!

[knife7knut]

Here's a few from my collection.Some of the pearls and ivories are cracked and worn but I still like them.Some are rare;some are not and some are unusual.
First up is a small one marked,"Adam&Bro".No idea where it came from but it looks old.
Second is a very rare knife in excellent shape EXCEPT for the broken pen blade.Burkinshaw Cutlery likely pre-1900.
I'm not sure that this next one would qualify as a swell center;maybe half a swell center(lol).Marked Henry Sears 1865 it is unusual in that it has three blades and three back springs.
Next is a pair of unmarked silver fruit knives.Well they do have swell centers right?
Next is a beautiful old(1870 on shield)I*XL whittler with ivory scales.
The next three knives are all by Miller Brothers.The two that look identical actually have different markings:one is marked Miller Brothers and the other is marked M.B.C.Co..
Eighth is an ivory scaled knife marked,"Prolific H.B.&Son" Looks REALLY old.
Ninth is a Robeson 629285 that has springs like a bear trap and in great shape.
Last for now is a tiny little Simmons Hardware with ivory scales and well used.