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Are these knives 100 years old?
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:17 pm
by Turkey Creek Tom
A person told me the knives in the picture with tang markings Lenox Cutlery Co. Germany are about a hundred years old.
Said in GOINS' ENCYCLOPEDIA of CUTLERY MARKINGS ~ Lenox is listed as being in operation from 1909-1914.
One of the knives, the whittler seems to show a lot of usage with cracked pearl handles. I guess if you are a hundred years old or close to it, you would be expected to show some usage.
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:47 pm
by smiling-knife
Hi, I find Goins is a very reliable source of information. In the absence of any information to the contrary, I'd say that is highly plausable. I'm just learning about German knives, but I think that Lennox Cut co was likely the name of the US based importing company. Many German knives imported to the US during the early 1900s bore the name of the importing co rather than the actual German maker. My 2p worth.

s-k
p.s., similar blade shape and long-pull nicks as a few that I have from the similar time.
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:25 pm
by jonet143
brl3 lists the lenox cutlery co. out of n.y, n.y. as an importer of german knives from 1909-1920. cool knives.
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:36 pm
by smiling-knife
Thanks for the comfirmation Johnnie

. I don't have any of Levine's guides. Your post raises an interesting question. Were there many German knives imported to the US during or immediately after WWI? a) for political reasons and b) production of pocket knives was not prolific during war times as materials were needed elsewhere. Just wondering if anyone knows.

s-k
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:49 pm
by jonet143
they were probably imported more frequently before we (u.s.) entered the war to end all wars. the business ending shortly after indicates a lack of production in germany. american pocketknife production certainly slowed down with war production a priority. anybody else have thoughts?