All About Pocket Knives

Just bought this lambfoot, and wonder if one of our talented researchers knows when it was made?? If the tangs aren't clear enough I will provide more pics. This knife supposedly came from a factory display, and looks unused; I wonder also if that could be true??

somewhere between 1682-1971. mmmmm not much help.

Sorry UN, I can't be of any help, but I will comment and say that is some fine looking bone!

Just a guess, but 1891-1900. If it is what is appears to be that is.

Symbols granted in 1682, still in business today. No clue as to when this knife was actually made. I'm guessing 1700s.................still searching!

Well, I have no research material on Sheffield. That's all I could muster up online.
The patina on that stag is just awesome, and the blade looks untouched!

She is a beauty!

Thanks Charlie, good one!

EDIT: In 1869 Joseph Roders were producing 1200 dozens of pocket knives, 3000 dozens of table knives, 80 dozens of razors and 600 dozens of scissors.

In 1878 they used 26 tons of Ivory, comprising of 2561 tusks averaging over 22lb each. In 1911 their storeroom held 15 tons valued at £22,000.

That tang stamp was used in the last quarter of the 19th century, up to about 1901. Its stamped England, so it was most likely made for import to the US after 1891. So, the last decade of the 19th century is most likely pretty close.

That knife is sooo awesome

Hello everybody, I am new to this whole computer thing so please be patient. I never realized there were so many people that shared my interest in knives. I also have a similar knife with that tang stamp but mine is also stamped with the year 1937. I hope this helps

An incredibly beautiful knife, fantastic..

Hey Charlie,

How long you going to leave hanging? Gotta know when that beauty was made!

Twenty six tons of Ivory in one year...............


Hey useem, jump over to the Member Introductions forum and tell us about yourself. Welcome...........

Hi gmusic; I got some replies on Bernie Levine's forum, So if you go there, you will know what I know. Seems it is likely after WWI, 20's-30's, but could be before!
Here is the link to Bernie, and some close-ups of the bone handles.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... p?t=473754

Great knife upnorth. Very nice bone handles . I also think No. 6 Norfolk St 1875-1900. With England, after 1891. Rodgers had several sites and sold No. 6 Norfolk St in the late 1920s as part of a rationalization of the business. So, unless they continued using the mark, that is the latest for your knife. s-k

Thanks s-k! I was hoping that you would see this one! Is there any way to tell a knife from before or after the business sale? The bolsters are integral (one piece with the liners, for those new to the term).

The Norfolk Street works was sold in 1929 for 52,500 pounds. The business itself did not change hands but was downsizing. With the sale of Norfolk Street, the making of pocket knives was concentrated at the Pondhill Works. There were two other facilities stilll in operation making scissors, table knives as well. From the building of Pondhill in the 1880s and the sale of Norfolk Street in 1929 pocket knives were made at both sites. I do not know if there is away of distinguishing pocket knives made in the two different factories. But that is an excellent project for me. Maybe one day I will have the answer.

It is my understanding that integral bolsters are a characteristic of older knives so I think it supports the earlier rather than later period of the time range discussed earlier in the thread. Just my 2p s-k

Thanks s-k! If I have this right, the knife was made after 1891, not likely later than about 1929, and there's a good chance it is from earlier in the time frame, such as pre-WWI.
It is amazing to see a knife looking very like the day it was made, that is anywhere from 78 to 116 years old!!

I read elsewhere that the blade appeared to be hand forged. Perhaps this is another clue that I will try to follow up later today. Rodgers built its own steel forge in the 1890s so that it could maintain strict quality control over all aspects of production. s-k

Yes, BRL believes it to be forged, from the kick configuration if nothing else.

Sorry it took so long everybody, but i just learned how to post pictures yesterday I remember my father using this as his EDC in 1979/1980.
Don't know how long he had it before than?

what brand is it? was he a sailor?

Looks like the Rodgers' Star and Cross. Any other marks? With the older style tin opener and synthetic handles I estimate that it was made around WWI or a little after. These were used by the British army. Genuine government issued knives have the broad arrow mark on them. s-k

Main blade is stamped J. RODGERS and SONS 6 Norfolk ST SHEFFIELD ENGLAND. Back of the main blade is stamped with the cross and star and 1937. I am not sure the handles are synthetic? They look like some kind of bone. No, not a sailor, but a farmer.

As I understand it, this particular pattern in Australia, at least, had pre 1900, pinched bolsters and pre WW1 (1914) bolsters with the step as pictures show. Hope this is some help. jh