All About Pocket Knives

This one's a Joseph Elliot & Sons Sheffield knife that I can't seem to find any information on. Haven't found on on eBay. I know the company dates back many years but don't know when they stopped making pocket knives. I am familiar with their straight razors. As for this particular knife, it is 3.6" closed, smooth green bone handles, double liners on each side, hard snap and scary sharp. Any information would be appreciated.
Jerry

nice knife



from goins

joseph elliot & son sheffield c1795- present

levine's guide reports the same.

all i've found so far.

Welcome jands40. Interesting knife. Are there any other tang marks on the reverse side? Thanks s-k

Each blade has the tang mark but nothing on the reverse side. Thanks.
Jerry

hello!
i'm interested in more information on the elliot company as well since i have an elliot ancestor.
i found this in a sheffield archive website:

The Records of Joseph Elliot and Sons (Sheffield) Ltd, cutlery manufacturers [1833-1991] - ref. Bus 12

i tend to think the company ceased operations in 1991, unless anyone has evidence to the contrary.

if anyone has any other elliot & sons info, please share it!


i also found this image from a catalog circa 1929

I have a couple of Jos.Elliot knivesand they couldn't be more different.One is a serpentine candle end interframe jack with what appear to be ivory scales.They look like celluloid at first but if you look closely the material has a grain like ivory.
The second one is a large butcher knife with stacked handles.One just showed up on e Bay recently and it's only the second one I've ever seen.

According to Tweedale's book, Joseph Eliot & Sons was founded in 1795 and the trademark was granted in 1805. The original factory was in Hollis Croft but was renamed the Granville Works following the acquisition of Allen & Sons in 1902. In the 1920s the company moved to the Sylvester works on Sylvester street. It was bought from the Elliot family in 1972 by men named Slater and Taylor and production ceased at the Sylvester works by around 1990. Elliot & Sons made pocket and kitchen knives, scissors, forks, spoons etc. I have a few e.g.s I hope this is of interest. s-k

Hi K7K. Your first knife appears to be a Wm Elliot & Co New York. This was an import company located in NYC 1880-1907. In 1907 the company was taken over by Adolph Strauss & Co who continued to use the Wm Elliot & Co mark. If made after 1891, it should have a country mark on it somewhere. If not, possibly made before 1891. That knife looks much more German than Sheffield IMO. An old and unique knife that I have not seen before. However, not a Joseph Elliot & Sons. Could possibly be some sort of familair relation though. s-k

smiling-knife wrote:Hi K7K. Your first knife appears to be a Wm Elliot & Co New York. This was an import company located in NYC 1880-1907. In 1907 the company was taken over by Adolph Strauss & Co who continued to use the Wm Elliot & Co mark. If made after 1891, it should have a country mark on it somewhere. If not, possibly made before 1891. That knife looks much more German than Sheffield IMO. An old and unique knife that I have not seen before. However, not a Joseph Elliot & Sons. Could possibly be some sort of familair relation though. s-k

Upon closer inspection,it appears that it is indeed Wm. Elliot s-k.I stand corrected.I guess the old eyes aren't what they used to be;even with a 10x loupe.As they say,that is always the SECOND thing to go.

thanks for all the info, smiling-knife!
i've had a hard time finding any information on the elliot family prior to their arrival in america.
i don't know if i'm related to this elliot or not, but your information will certainly help me figure that out at some point.

You're welcome mito0. Here are a few of the names involved in the Jos Elliot & Sons but it is a little sketchy. In the later part of the 1800s the firm was ran by James William Elliot who died in 1904 aged 62. The next name is J.G. Elliot. He ran the company until 1949. He lived to the age of 93 and left 3 sons; John, Hawksley, & George. The latter was in the army and never in the knife buisiness. John & Hawksley ran the company until sold in 1972.

Is your family from Sheffield?

s-k

smiling-knife wrote: Is your family from Sheffield?

s-k

i honestly haven't the slightest idea.

the earliest elliot ancestor i know of is james jefferson elliot who's father (name unknown) came to america from somewhere in britain.
james jefferson elliot would've been born some time around 1835 or so since he fought in the american civil war. i would assume that his father was born around 1790 - 1810.
the fact that the vast majority of people with that last name spell it with an extra "t" at the end is what caught my attention.
family legend maintained that james jefferson's father came to america to escape some sort of political persecution. it's also been said that he was a newspaper editor.