All About Pocket Knives

I'm kind of new around here (but have been collecting knives for over 40 years) so if this has already been addressed just point me to the right place please. Also if I posted this in the wrong place could one of the admins move it where it belongs please.

Anyone know of a good comprehensive reference source on the origination/history and evolution of various types of knife blades? Since knives are all basically tools, their blades were always designed for a use or uses. Some blade types like spey, sheepsfoot, fleem are self explanatory regarding their purpose but when, where and why they first appeared ( and perhaps disappeared also) would be interesting. Some other common and the more obscure types (I'm sure there are hundreds of different ones over the years) would be even more interesting. As occupations and lifestyles changed the popularity of knife styles and blades provided evolved accordingly. I think this would be very interesting.

I have numerous old knife company catalogs which invariably show the various types of blades they had to offer, but very little if any information about the purpose or history of the blade style. In his "Whut Izzit" column in Knife World, Bernard Levine often has something but I am curious if there is a consolidated resource book of this type somewhere.

If it hasn't been done already it might also be a good thread for members here to post pictures of unusual, rare types of blades (and explanation of what it was used for or any other historical information they have, if any). I bet the collective members here could identify and explain most of them.

Thanks!

Ken

Good idea mumblypeg I'm assuming it hasn't been done since you haven't been pointed in that direction yet. Maybe those in the know are still sleeping or haven't had the right amount of coffee yet

Okay I'll start this off with one that is currently listed on eBay. It's a Miller Brothers fruit knife with an odd (to me anyway) blade. The listing says the blade is for picking seeds out of apples and oranges. I have seen very few of these before.

Here are some unusual although not folding knives I own.I've posted some of these before so if I repeat myself please forgive me.
First up is a pair of oyster shucking knives.
Second is an aluminum meat turner in the shape of a steer's head.Wish I had the rest of the set.
Third is a monster of a knife(almost 1/4" thick)with a heavy raised portion on the spine near the tip which I believe is used to either act as a hitting spot for a hammer or possibly add weight to the point while swinging the knife downward.Stamped Englishtown Crafts(?)
Fourth is an odd one with a curved serrated blade which is either used to cut cheese or slice up butter for decoration.My wife used to decorate food displays and that is what she said it was used for.
Fifth is a tool for eating lobster;a combination fork and for removing meat out of legs and other hard to reach places on a sea critter.Works well for crab legs too.Etched with a lobster graphic.I have a set of these.
Sixth is a Russell poultry knife for removing pin feathers from chickens and ducks.
Seventh,eighth,and ninth are pictures of a Taiwanese grapefruit knife.The unusual blade is actually two blades fit closely together that is designed to slide over the division in the grapefruit half to allow the segments to be easily removed.The other end slides under the segment freeing it from the fruit.
Lastly is a large meat turning tool by Vernco.Makes a nasty looking weapon too (lol)

Here is a little pearl handled box knife marked on the bolster only W. M. Watson. I have owned a few box knives and they are hard to come by. Unusual but very practical in purpose stubby pry blade with slotted brad/nail puller. 3 1/2" closed. Steel hammer at tail end.

Wayne

For cigar boxes, I think.

tjmurphy wrote:For cigar boxes, I think.

Yes, or chocolates typically.

Mumbleypeg wrote:Okay I'll start this off with one that is currently listed on eBay. It's a Miller Brothers fruit knife with an odd (to me anyway) blade. The listing says the blade is for picking seeds out of apples and oranges. I have seen very few of these before.

The seller is mistaken. That's actually a fob or lobster knife. While the second blade looks similar to seed picks it's actually a manicure blade for filing and cleaning one's fingernails.

knife7knut wrote:Seventh,eighth,and ninth are pictures of a Taiwanese grapefruit knife.

Here's a Japanese grapefruit knife to go with k7k's Taiwanese one.

I kind of got the impression MumblyPeg was seeking a reference source, not a posting of various obscure blades, although those posted are interesting.

Levine's guide, at least in its first four editions, does tend to explain the various blades found in the different knife patterns, but you have to read his narratives in each section to find that info.

Charlie Noyes

RobesonsRme.com wrote:I kind of got the impression MumblyPeg was seeking a reference source, not a posting of various obscure blades, although those posted are interesting.

Levine's guide, at least in its first four editions, does tend to explain the various blades found in the different knife patterns, but you have to read his narratives in each section to find that info.

Charlie Noyes

Thanks Charlie, I was in fact seeking a reference source when I started the thread. But as I was typing the thought occurred to me that this forum is a great source so I included a request for posts of photos showing any unusual blades members may have. It seems to be off to a good start so far so keep them coming!

Maybe some day Mr. Levine will favor us with a comprehensive consolidated guide focused on blades, either a stand alone guide or a chapter in one of his future editions. He probably has the material (and undoubtedly the knowledge) already but might need some effort to consolidate and edit.