All About Pocket Knives

Miller Bro's wrote:Beautiful knives Keith!

Here's a rare one, I like this knife on several levels.

I can see why. Tell me a little about James Tidmarsh.

Very little know about this mark. Earliest mention I have found is 1800 latest mention is 1892 maker or retailer? I don't know they sold pocket knives, razors, and pistol/knives.

Interesting. Thanks

Great looking knives Keith and Dimitri ...

Keith - The black pearl Remington lobster is a stunner ..

Dimitri - Nice knife for sure A shadow bolster MOP knife to me is like an accident waiting to happen should it drop but I really like it ... BTW - I posted a Tidmarsh percussion pistol knife on the Old & Rare thread - Not my pistol knife but found it online - I wish it was my knife ... Tidmarsh was indeed abit of a mystery, not listed in Tweedale as I am sure you know but have seen a few online in the past...

I picked up this 4 balded Mappin & Webb knife that has a covered backspring, worked liners and sunk joints.

Mike, that is a crown jewel. I hardly ever see Mappin & Webb folding knives for sale and the very few i have seen have been used & abused.
I am jealous ! I love senator patterns.
kj

Nice knives, Keith and Dimitri!
Mike, like Roland said, lovely jewel of a knife!

Thanks guys! Here is another little pearl that I got. The nail file is in the backspring, never seen that before. No makers mark but a well made little knife.

Mike, that is a unique and lovely little knife! Looks like a lobster, at first glance, but isn't. Don't think I have seen a toothpick on a small pearl knife like that before. Is the other removable tool a cuticle pusher?

No it's a spoon. For salt?? Never knew what a spoon that size could be for.

Snuff spoon, maybe, looks kind of small though?

galvanic1882 wrote:No it's a spoon. For salt?? Never knew what a spoon that size could be for.

Earwax spoon. That's what I've been told.

There's one on this old Rather & Co. MOP gentleman's grooming knife. Also has a button hook, mustache comb, scissors, and a tortoiseshell toothpick, among other blades.

Ken

Cool knife!!

galvanic1882 wrote:Cool knife!!

Thanks Mike. The knife is interesting in that it's only 3 inches long and 3/4 inch thick. Every time I look at it I'm amazed at the workmanship that went into making it, even more so given its age and the tools that had to have been used at the time. Other than a small chip in the tortoiseshell toothpick and some patina, all the blades are as they came from the factory - does not appear it was ever re-sharpened.

Unfortunately the mark side MOP cover is broken and about 90% is missing. If I can find someone that can put new pearl covers on it I will restore it. I just recently had a 100+ year old MOP restored by Case factory repair and it turned out great, but this one's not a Case, so I'll need to find someone else for it.

Ken

It's kind of semi cloudy outside, thought I'd use this good light for one of my favorite old pearls. Here is a 84062k from the tested era.

Greg, that's a beautiful knife and looks to be in great condition. Don't see many of those.

Ken

Very nice Greg, nothing not to like about that knife, thanks for sharing

Beautiful older knife. I very much like the "Butter Bean" pattern.
Here is a vintage German Whittler with long pulls that go through the tang. All blades are marked: "A.Kastor/& Bros/Warranted/Cutlery" and "Germany" on the back tang.
I think it was made between 1890's to about 1914. Adolph Kastor was the major importer of German knives into USA from 1880's to 1920's. He also bought Camillus Cutlery in 1902.
kj

I don’t think Camillus Cutlery existed before the Kastor Brothers bought the building of what was the Sherwood/Bingham cutlery from Millard Robeson.

Charlie

Yes, i did not want to type all the info. just wanted to make the connection that Kastor was a significant 'player' in supplying America with knives.
kj

Beautiful old knife Roland!

Very nice Roland

According to charts, this would either be German 1869-1910 or U.S. 1899-1920s? Wedged springs. Appears to be un-used. Secondaries have half stops.

Nice knives guys!

Cal: I would date your H. Boker post 1891 - 1914 range based on those tang stamps. NICE knife!

I think the "Improved Cutlery" is a USA Boker marking.
kj