All About Pocket Knives

Thanks to generosity of our member whitebuffalo58, I now have this very interesting old patented knife to study.

I researched it for hours last night and found the patent and the secret to what makes it tick so to speak.

It is a very interesting design, I have seen knives with covered back springs before but this one is more than that. It also has a unique bolster and handle fastening system.

The knife was designed by William Schmachtenberg of New York City, the patent was applied for on Dec. 11, 1890 and patent received on March 31, 1891.

Here is a link to the patent: https://www.google.com/patents/US449499 ... CDUQ6AEwAA


The primary reason for the invention was this:

This invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of pocket-knives, and has for its objects to produce a cheap, neat, well finished knife by a plan of construction that will expedite the work and render the finished product substantial.

Like almost all these inventions they ultimately proved to be unprofitable to make and the conventional design folding knife lasted the longest while these were a "flash in the pan".

Luckily there are still some left around today to study and marvel over.

Wow interesting knife Dimitri. Did they have their own factory?

Steve,

According to what I have found out so far, they did and this guy has about four more patents to his name related to knives

That is just too awsome, Dimitri!! You sir, are a master at researching old knives!! Well done!!
So they did pour the bolsters to the linings, I thought it looked as if they had. Quite the design, but so much for building the better mouse trap, huh? Maybe someday one of us will come up with a four blade version.
Thanks for posting the info. For me, it was all by guess and by golly as to how they did it. Just confirms my thought of it going to the right home.

WB

Nice gesture Rob,and as always Dimitri Holmes is on his game. Interesting knife,and I'd say very rare.

Sure doesn't get much cooler than that.

Thanks gentlemen!

Been a while since anything has been posted here

This one is 3 1/4". That particular trademark was used in 1891, the date is covered by my knife in the picture.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 7:01 pm Been.....

Ike,

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 10:11 pm

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 7:01 pm Been.....

Ike,

Agree.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 7:01 pm Been a while since anything has been posted here

This one is 3 1/4". That particular trademark was used in 1891, the date is covered by my knife in the picture.

10 years later!!

Nice to see another one from this company

Ike

Thanks, Skip, Floyd, Dimitri, Roger

Here is a Schmactenberg with an unusual opening mechanism. The button is pushed to the side which levers the blade open about 15 degrees allowing it to be grasped with the thumb and forefinger and pulled all the way open. Closing is the same as a standard knife. Handles are horn and sadly the small blade is broken. Ive never seen another like it.

That's a neat one Ray, thanks for showing it

Great information fellas. I recently found this beauty at a Flea Market. It was pretty rough but cleaned up nicely. Any information on this piece would be appreciated.