All About Pocket Knives

Who made these knives,Who did the engraving, Why did they stop and where did they go? If you have any of these old beauties Please please show them off.

I'm not trying to come up with a guessing game here but I'm not opposed to guesses. What I would like, would be for some of those who collect older knives or for our veteran knife guru's who have been around knives of all types for years to name the makers of knives like this and show us some examples along with any wisdom. Also any knowledge as to whether the knives were done in house or sent out to silversmiths or other artisans to have the etching/engraving/chasing done. I've seen other knives like this but this is the first that I've ever owned and I wonder why this style fell to the wayside. Of course there are scrolled bolsters etc. but done by machine (I assume) seeming too perfect, lifeless, literally run of the mill. I know that aluminum was worked with a lot in the past in a similar way. I met a guy who makes spurs and collects old pocket knives. Some of them he takes to a guy he knows who does this kind of engraving but for whatever reason I think that they call it chasing. I would think that engraving and chasing are two different things probably based on technique. I love these knives myself even though this knife I am showing could be looked at as a ladies knife based on handle and decor but the barlow jack pattern and blade tension screams out that it's a mans knife.In an attept at keeping our minds open and getting others to show both their knowledge and their similar knives I will reveal the maker of this knife later.Feel free to try and pick it apart and guess if you want to. But I want to see other examples. Were these Customs or the "Limited runs/Editions" of those days? Did the purchaser have the work done on his own after purchasing the knife? Are they as rare as they seem to be?

What ever the story is Okie, that's a beautiful knife.

That is a beautiful and well preserved knife.

Are the bolsters nickel-silver or were you suggesting them to be Sterling?

As you said, I've seen many knives with aluminum bolsters and this type of work, but most often including flowers, etc.

I have no idea who made or marketed this knife, but a lot of the similarly done knives I've seen were from Keen Kutter.

I noticed you did not show the front of the master blade, so there must be a tang stamp, a blade etch or both.

Stunning knife.

Charlie Noyes

I'm guessing walden, beatiful knife who ever made it. Thanks for showing it.

Hey Red, I know you are asking about older knives.....but Tuna Valley recently did some knives that had nicely engraved bolsters. They were sent out to an artist after the knives were completed. The work was of a completely different style and the knives were in stag, not pearl.....but finely worked bolsters have not completely fallen by the wayside.

IM

Both New York Knife Co. and Walden Knife Co. made knives with engraved aluminum bolsters and mother of pearl scales. That is a beautiful knife. Mark.

Thanks fellas, Who wouldn't like this old knife eh? Interesting I was expecting to see some similar knives being shown.This would explain why I haven't seen very many and the only ones that I've held or owned were all of the aluminum variety mostly NYKC. The bolsters are nickel silver and there is no way the work was done with the pearl already mounted. Now I'm starting to think that this knife was customized having the bolsters worked and pearl handles put on after purchase possibly as late as 6 months ago. If anyone knows any old knives with this type of work please make mention or show pics. I traded for this knife and regardless of when the work was done I am very happy with the trade and plan on keeping it.

Trevor, Thanks for letting me know about the Tuna Valley knives. It's nice to know that this added detail is still being done. There is something special about an item after it is made being sent to an artist and taking it to the next level. Scrimshaw knives are still being done and you know that these artists are not being overly paid.

Heres pics with the makers mark.

So.... Do you think that this is Modern work or Original Old world styling I have no idea, but I was hoping to see more of them out there. Have you seen them in any books?

But then again I could use more money for more knives I already have several pics ... It seems to be an extraordinarily rare bird ... I suppose that I could set my own price on a knife such as this ... .... ... Naaaaaa! ...

I was hoping to get some more feedback though and more pictures of knives with engraved bolsters/handles

knife-nut wrote:Both New York Knife Co. and Walden Knife Co. made knives with engraved aluminum bolsters and mother of pearl scales. That is a beautiful knife. Mark.

Thanks Mark, I guess none of our fellow AAPK members own any though. That's too bad. Witchita? WITCHITA!!! We're in knife trading distance from each other

WOW RED.....NICE FIND
sure is PERRRRRRRTY

RDK, there was a thread sometime back that showed off alot of unique bolster work/design. Can't find it myself at present, but I know it's there.

Thanks Rocky, I never find anything here on AAPK using the big "Search AAPK" Bar up there top right ... Always returns no results but If I go into the forums I have no problem with the search. I guess the Moderators don't deem me worthy of using the BIG SEARCH bar Knife Lore maybe? I never do get many replies to my posts. I assume it's because of comments I've made about ebay sellers Or they think ole okie dirt plow boy can just waller in his own stupidity or because I proudly associate with Junebug I stopped posting for awhile in hopes that they would forget that they don't like me to no avail So my posts usually consist of me commenting to myself for a couple pages with a couple one line comments from some of the cool kids If anyone knows how to get there from here link me up please.... To the thread Rocky was talking about that is....

Put a price on it RD ...you need to buy more stuff


Tim

Okie -- Searching is all about the key words used. Keep it down to 1-3 words and try to make the words unique to what you're searching for. No common words like and, the, it, etcetera.

Here are 48 hits on the search for "Bolster Engraving" -- http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... mit=Search


Here's a Tuna Valley with engraving on the bolster. -- http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... ng#p272161

reddirtknives wrote: I never find anything here on AAPK using the big "Search AAPK" Bar up there top right ... Always returns no results but If I go into the forums I have no problem with the search. I guess the Moderators don't deem me worthy of using the BIG SEARCH bar

That search bar is for AAPK member stores only, not information on a specific thread. Also, you need to go to a specific forum to do a search, for example "Ulster Barlow" in Knife Lore, it will not search the entire site only the forum you are searching from.

The moderators do not decide who gets to search what on this site, as long as you are a member and logged in you will have the same search capability as any other member.


Now, concerning the Ulster Barlow knife, are you sure the bolsters are Nickle Silver?

I would bet a $dollar$ they are Aluminum Check them again please.

The companies already mentioned did do this type of engraving and several others, although this is the first Ulster Barlow I have seen with this type of engraving on the bolsters.

Red its a tough act to follow, I have nothing like it in my collection to post. Who ever done the work old or new I like interesting and detailed work. I would call it a keeper.

I posted this one before,but thought it might be of interest here. Made by our very own Bobby Paolantonio.

Miller Bro`s wrote: it will not search the entire site only the forum you are searching from.

Unless you select all the forums. Select all forums and it will search the entire site.

Did a search on my posts using the keyword "aluminum" and found this one I posted previously ;

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... um#p278922

Only one with scrolled/engraved bolsters:

Wow! I was gone for 2 days check the thread and there is action... pics of knives and advice/knowledge on getting better search results. Of course I'm in a hurry so will get back to this. Thanks fellas for posting pics and the search help...

Hello RDK:
Great knife you have there. What do you figure or wag it's DOB at or the vicinity. Maybe the 40's??
Although are no where as old or as well embellished as yours, the Kershaw is nice. The leg knife I put a photo of it because you brought up an idea to me. I think it would make a good subject for some engraving. I also like before and after things. It is an older knife and has fairly nice handles and the bolsters look to me as being something that would be better if carved upon. I know just the guy for the job. If I don't get sidetracked I should be able to get it done within a couple or three weeks. Please excuse the photo's as it is O dark thirty here and I don't do well with the flash unit. Up this early cause I am heading to Portland for a militaria show. By the way you just happen to be from the state that produced one of the finest wide receivers ever, Steve Largent. Got to see him many times when I was In Seattle area.
moss
moss

I do not have any old ones. This one is new - my wife gave it to me last Christmas. I do not recall ever seeing many chased or engraved bolsters. Maybe folks did not want to do fine engraving on a knife to be carried in the pocket?

Dinadan wrote: Maybe folks did not want to do fine engraving on a knife to be carried in the pocket?

I suspect it's more a cost issue.

A lot of people forget that aluminum was once very pricey material.

People with good engraving skills have all moved into jewelry work or art. There's not much demand for this talent in cutlery anymore. But there are a few people who still do custom work. Levine's has a list of some of them in his guide.