W.R. Humphries Radiant Sheffield three blade knife

Rannard · Post by **Rannard** » Thu Apr 07, 2022 9:00 am

W.R. HUMPHREYS RADIANT SHEFFIELD THREE BLADE POCKETKNIFE

Here is a very pretty recent purchase. It has a large and a small steel blade and a small silver fruit blade. A brass spacer separates the two small blades, recessed to accommodate the springs. Both the steel blades are marked 'Humphreys Radiant Sheffield'. Hallmarks on the silver blade are a crown for the Sheffield assay office, a 'lion passant' (a standing lion facing left) for sterling silver, the letter M for 1904 and the maker's mark WRH registered in 1899 and in use 1899-1908. The scales are perhaps mother of pearl and the bolsters nickel silver. The thickness of the knife tapers from the double blade end to the single, the springs providing the taper. The width tapers the other way, from the large blade end to the smaller.

This knife has been well used to judge from the wear to the end of the tang of the main blade where the springs bear. Having a pair of small blades there are two springs, both bear on the main blade. The blades are lightly worn, apparently having had little sharpening. The main blade would not recess in the handle, its point sticking up 3/8'' from the body of the knife. The front face of the tang and the kick were reduced by filing so that the blade would recess properly. The main blade had a small piece of the tip missing. This was reshaped by a light touch on a grindstone.

For a pocketknife of more than 100 years old it is in pretty good condition. The small steel blade walks and talks with a good snap, the silver blade less so. The large blade having been opened very many times is silent, with no snap. The scales are intact with no cracks and the tangs are firm in the brass liners, no wobble to the blades.

While the knife bears the trademark 'Radiant', it has no lamp symbol found on larger Humphreys' knives.

In 1904 W.R. Humphreys became a limited company and around that time moved from Eyre Street to the Advance Works of John Wragg, Denby Street, which was renamed Haddon Works. Haddon was then used as a trademark on much of its cutlery and straight razors.

31 March 2022