All About Pocket Knives

Hi,
I have a single blade stainless pocketknife with a file. The handle is embossed and it is very thin. It has written on the blade end "Giesell Forsthoff Solingen Germany." I don't know much about knives and I'm trying to find out when it was made or any other information someone might have.
Thanks, Cheryl

Welcome Cheryl.

I'd say that was a "Gentleman's" type Lobster (blades out of either side of the knife) pattern. These are made by a couple of different firms in Solingen, which is still considered Germany's cutlery capital. These are nice little knives, though not particularly fancied by collectors.

I can find a Giese n & Forsthoff...but no Giesell & Forsthoff...perhaps that's what it reads?

Bill

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea how I can date this knife? I am not really a collector, but it is a nice little knife. Yes, I believe it was Giese[u]n[/u] & Forsthoff. Thanks again.
~Cheryl

It's pretty difficult to date these, as this style has been in production for a long time (50+ years?) and are still made today. This one looks to be in excellent condition...it could even be quite recent. Sorry I can't help any more than that.

Bill

Hi...yes a lobster pattern knife. The spring is in the middle thus allowing blades to open from both sides. The lobster pattern goes back to the latter part of the 1800s. Early versions had pearl or ivory handles and were well treasured. Yours has what is called 'engined turned' steel handles. The end of the file has a pipe smoker's tool which again goes way back and is not particularly common today. Based on a combination of factors, my best guess is that you have a gentleman's knife from either the 1930s pre war, or 1950s. Steel was at a premium during the war and such luxury items not produced again until the 1950s. A nice example. I hope this helps. s-k

found one to post an old lobster with mother of pearl handle