TPK wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:47 pm
Nice Hunter Skip!
Got this one today.
Been thinking this could be a knife type for me to concentrate on in my collecting ambitions (next to Case of course).
They show up kinda often on the bay with different amounts of blades, sometimes with scissors or clippers & at prices that don't hurt my budget that much. I'll be watching for these types of knives over the next few weeks to see what I can come up with.
Is there a name for this type of knife? Or a thread here for them?
Thanks,
Tom
TPK, you have a lobster pattern knife. "Lobster" refers to a folding knife in which the spring runs along the center of the handles allowing for blades on both top & bottom 'decks'. Some have 4 blades and some have even more. "Blades" is used to mean tools as well, like a manicure blade (nail file) or scissors. Handles can be stainless steel, gun-metal, silver, gold, ivory or pearl, or synthetic like celluloid.
These were a very popular carry knife for a 'gentleman' or anyone for certain occasions like church, wedding, etc. especially in Europe and a bit less so in USA. There are a great many vintage German lobster knives and many are high end originally very expensive knives made by the top manufacturers like Henckels and Hen & Rooster.
By WW II interest in lobster knives declined and now very few people are interested in carrying or collecting these. This means auction prices are usually very low for what is often an exquisitely made knife. If you like this style of knife you can build up quite a fine collection for not a lot of money.
kj