All About Pocket Knives

Here is a photo from Joseph Rodgers & Sons 1911 to honour all employees with 50 or more years of service. As you can see from the list, some started working for the firm as early a 9 years old, most started in their early teens. The men in this photo were involved in the making of knives from 1861 or earlier. Also note a member of the Platts family (James).

What a wonderful record! Easily readable; good show, s-k!! I always enjoy your well presented posts!
I am looking for an elusive cutler, who may have come to Connecticut ca. 1850, and possibly returned to England ca. 1860. He attempted to ply his trade over here, eventually forming a cutlery with a fellow named Thompson(sp?). It eventually became Empire Knife Co. under the Alvord family.
His name was Gascoigne, first initial probably C.
s-k, do you have any way to look for that type of info?

Thanks very much for the reply upnorth. I will try to find some information for you. s-k

Vey cool! Exactly the kinda post this particular forum was made for. Thank you.
Phil

Great stuff S-K!
They sure didn't have the child labor laws we have now days. One fellow started at age 9. Wow, I didn't start working until I was 12. Makes me feel like a piker.

Dale

That Age thing looked to me like Camillus did some thing right to keep so many people working for the company that long even if the employes had to go to a UNION SHOP. We now see why the company did not give the men more benifits every year. I think it is called PROFITS just were not there.

I fell this is all from when BILL CLINTON was Pres at the time opened the gates to China. but he was not alone IMO.

upnorth wrote: I am looking for an elusive cutler, who may have come to Connecticut ca. 1850, and possibly returned to England ca. 1860. He attempted to ply his trade over here, eventually forming a cutlery with a fellow named Thompson(sp?). It eventually became Empire Knife Co. under the Alvord family. His name was Gascoigne, first initial probably C.
s-k, do you have any way to look for that type of info?

Hi Found the following for you upnorth

Joseph Gascoigne, living at Hill Top in the village of Attercliffe (1.5 mi East of Sheffield market)..... Coud not find anything on C. Gascoigne.

Charles Thompson, living in the hamlet of Upper Heeley (2 mi south of Sheffield)

Both men listed as pen and pocket knife makers in 1834 Pigots Directory of Professions and Trades. Both do not appear in an 1852 directory. Perhaps having left for the US by then. Will see if I can narrow it down any further. s-k

I appreciate you going to this trouble, s-k!
Do you mind sending me your email address?

[email protected]

You're very welcome upnorth. Email sent. s-k

Thanks for sharing this great photo- S-K.
To me the "life and times" is one of the best parts of collecting old knives.

Great to have a photo of James Platts too!!