All About Pocket Knives

The latest KnifeWorld has an article on these knife-like tools; in fact they are sometimes called palette knives in the world of Art.
Nicely made by some of the most respected companies, they are classic examples of well designed, and ergonomically pleasing tools.
The article in KW could have used a few more examples, and some more info, so I thought I would see what our esteemed group here at AAPK could dig out, and show off!
I have a Russell, and an Ulster. The Binney & Smith Co. was the parent company of Crayola in Easton, PA! They not only made crayons for (likely) every one of us but also had a Fine Arts Supplies division.
Of course, a lot of Doctor's knives have Spatulas, so let's stick to Spatula-only tools in this thread. Please show'em if you got'em!!

Here are mine:In the group picture the two middle ones are actually quill knife/letter openers.The fixed blade Russell is a bit unusual in that the handle looks to be off either a Chinese or Japanese knife but I think is original to the knife.The Ulster has an ad for aspirin stamped on it.

Here is an Ulster spatula advertising Tums.
This pic contains spatulas I often use in my shop to mix 2-part epoxies.
The top is just an artist's palette knife, I think.
The middle one with the red handle has a faint etch on the blade. The etch says (illegible)/FREMONT, OHIO/STAINLESS. It appears that one edge of the blade has been thinned almost to a cutting edge, but not quite that sharp.
The bottom one is hot stamped on the handle to read: MILLERS FORGE MANICURE CUTLERY.
I did a little Goggling of MILLERS FORGE MANICURE CUTLERY and found that the name is still active, though I couldn't ascertain if it was the same company nor where their products were made. MILLERS FORGE MANICURE CUTLERY is the brand name of a line of pet grooming products, nail clippers, tartar scrapers, thinning shears, scissors, combs etc.
I am not sure what a person would use a spatula for while grooming their pets, but Millers Forge made one!

Here is a cool pic of a Millers Forge box for pet nail clippers.
I found this pic on line while searching Millers Forge.

Dale

Nice that a few other guys collect spatulas! Nice ones too!!

For a while I though maybe I was weird! Wait . . . . .I AM weird!!

upnorth wrote: For a while I though maybe I was weird! Wait . . . . .I AM weird!!

That's OK Charlie.
We know...................that is why you fit in here so well.

Dale

There's a nice little pearl handled folding spatula on *bay right now.
No tang mark, as I recall.
Seller is a man named Mead Bates. I've dealt with him several times over the years. Never had a problem.
I do not generally post *bay items in the Knife Lore forum, but I thought one of you might be interested.
Charlie Noyes

I have several of these.

The Russell`s are common, other name brands not so common.

Here is a scarce Miller Bro`s.

I just got back from the Oregon mini-show.
Turnout was not what we had hoped for because of an ice storm that rolled in in the wee hours of this morning.
I guess that just meant less competition for the "good pieces."

Actually it meant that we had time to visit and that part was glorious! The driving, ......not so much.

I managed to add this to my collection of spatulas.
I believe Universal Resistain, is a name used by Landers, Frey & Clark, (LF&C).

Dale

Nice that a person can fish up an old thread, and continue on!
Great L.F. & C, Dale!
Just received these from one of the AAPK vendors here.
Another small Russell (I don't know why, but I just NEED two of them ), and a huge Russell!!
Over 5" long, closed of course!!
Nice deep etched or stamped blade.

If you ever decide you want to part with the Russell marked with the Willey logo let me know.I have a fair sized collection of vintage paint equipment(mostly spray guns and sign painter's kits;my profession)and in the collection are several cans of paint by that company(see accompanying picture).It would make a great addition to the group.

knife7knut wrote:If you ever decide you want to part with the Russell marked with the Willey logo let me know.I have a fair sized collection of vintage paint equipment(mostly spray guns and sign painter's kits;my profession)and in the collection are several cans of paint by that company(see accompanying picture).It would make a great addition to the group.

K7K, I'll trade you for the Pontiac wagon I see in the background!!
'55? '56?

Seriously, I collect Empire, knives and other objects;
email please,
[email protected]

This one is slightly unusual in that the spatula is very flexible. s-k

SK,

Very nice old knife!

Really like the bone handles

It is an unusual blade combination for sure

Since it is flexible, is there a possibility it might be a feeler gauge rather than a spatula?

It is a beautiful knife.

smiling-knife wrote:This one is slightly unusual in that the spatula is very flexible. s-k

Even though your Repeat is a repeat for me Steve, I repeat I never tire of seeing it!

Very wonderful knife. I can't say I've seen another three blade with a spatula! Just Doctor's knives, and the usual special purpose single blades. Must be fairly rare!
Thanks for showing it!

SK, that Needham is a great knife.

I have a Robeson three blade with a very thin, very flexible spatula as the master blade. The knife was a German import marked ROBESON / CUTLERY Co.. "GERMANY' is on the back of the master blade. So, it dates about 1892 to 1896, or so.

I've always thought of this as a pharmacist's knife. The little pen blade for cutting away the wax seal from a commercial bottle of medicine or chemical, the screw for removing the cork and the spatula for mixing/blending compounds.

There is no etch on the knife to indicate that, but I have seen a similar blade configuration on an imbossed all metal knife advertising a patent medicine company. That knife was not a Robeson. It just had the same blades and a pharmaceutical advertisement on the handles.

Charlie Noyes

Sweet and Pearly, Charlie! I think you are absolutely right.
They had a different way of providing child-proof bottles way back then!!