An Interesting Burkinshaw Hawkbill
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 9:55 pm
Many of you are familiar with Aaron Burkinshaw and his knife “legacy” including that collection of Burkinshaw knives that sold last at auction for approximately $91K 
…
In brief for those members not familiar – Aaron Burkinshaw (1814-1881) apprenticed in Sheffield and emigrated to the US in 1848… According to Tweedale and Phil P's book on New England Cutleries his first few years he worked along side other Sheffield cutlers for Waterville Mfg Co Waterbury and later started a shop in Buryville CT in 1853. In 1856 he left Buryville CT and moved to Pepperell MA where he formed another Burkinshaw Cutlery Shop - old photos indicates it looked like a big old house. He remained there until his death in 1881 but his sons who were involved in the business continued the cutlery in Pepperell until approximately 1920 (Stamp – A Burkinshaw Sons following 1881). The Burkinshaw Cutlery was not anywhere near the size of the major cutlery firms of the time (egs, Miller Bros, Empire etc) but he was known for quality cutlery and to my eye produced many knives classic of the Sheffield style. According to their old ads Hortiucltural knives were no doubt one of their specialties.
This ebony handled Burkinshaw Hawkbill was capped and 4 & ¾” closed. It sported a rat-tailed bolster as well as integrated liners and bolsters – the latter suggesting pre-1860. The blade has no doubt seen use with a few metal mite bites on the cutting edge but it is solid – snaps like a bear trap and as tight as the day it left the shop. Though abit stained and worn the blade has the etch “A Burkinshaw” with the same mark side tang stamp. I have not seen many Burkinshaw knives with a blade etch.
Now the interesting part involves the pile side tang stamp – see the last photo. I understand from a few well known collectors that the pile side mark was the sign of a very early Burkinshaw made knife – perhaps as early as Sheffield but most likely when he first arrived in the US though some believe it was the same mark he used in Sheffield for his knives. I have never seen this pile side stamp on any Burkinshaw but 2 separate collectors told me that it is no doubt one of his early knives and perhaps even made by him given the pile side stamp - no factual backup for that speculation other than the pile side stamp. So the question is - has anybody else seen a similar pile side stamp on a Burkinshaw knife?? It appears to be 2 symbols and not easy to describe so again looking at the photo would be best. As an aside I do know some of his knives had "Pain" and Exile" among the stamps used but never have seen or heard about this symbolic pile side stamp.
Thanks for looking and any comments etc… (and I’ll post it over in Knife Lore under the Horticultural thread but wanted to see if there was any other info as to the pile side stamp)…
Thanks again!
… In brief for those members not familiar – Aaron Burkinshaw (1814-1881) apprenticed in Sheffield and emigrated to the US in 1848… According to Tweedale and Phil P's book on New England Cutleries his first few years he worked along side other Sheffield cutlers for Waterville Mfg Co Waterbury and later started a shop in Buryville CT in 1853. In 1856 he left Buryville CT and moved to Pepperell MA where he formed another Burkinshaw Cutlery Shop - old photos indicates it looked like a big old house. He remained there until his death in 1881 but his sons who were involved in the business continued the cutlery in Pepperell until approximately 1920 (Stamp – A Burkinshaw Sons following 1881). The Burkinshaw Cutlery was not anywhere near the size of the major cutlery firms of the time (egs, Miller Bros, Empire etc) but he was known for quality cutlery and to my eye produced many knives classic of the Sheffield style. According to their old ads Hortiucltural knives were no doubt one of their specialties.
This ebony handled Burkinshaw Hawkbill was capped and 4 & ¾” closed. It sported a rat-tailed bolster as well as integrated liners and bolsters – the latter suggesting pre-1860. The blade has no doubt seen use with a few metal mite bites on the cutting edge but it is solid – snaps like a bear trap and as tight as the day it left the shop. Though abit stained and worn the blade has the etch “A Burkinshaw” with the same mark side tang stamp. I have not seen many Burkinshaw knives with a blade etch.
Now the interesting part involves the pile side tang stamp – see the last photo. I understand from a few well known collectors that the pile side mark was the sign of a very early Burkinshaw made knife – perhaps as early as Sheffield but most likely when he first arrived in the US though some believe it was the same mark he used in Sheffield for his knives. I have never seen this pile side stamp on any Burkinshaw but 2 separate collectors told me that it is no doubt one of his early knives and perhaps even made by him given the pile side stamp - no factual backup for that speculation other than the pile side stamp. So the question is - has anybody else seen a similar pile side stamp on a Burkinshaw knife?? It appears to be 2 symbols and not easy to describe so again looking at the photo would be best. As an aside I do know some of his knives had "Pain" and Exile" among the stamps used but never have seen or heard about this symbolic pile side stamp.
Thanks for looking and any comments etc… (and I’ll post it over in Knife Lore under the Horticultural thread but wanted to see if there was any other info as to the pile side stamp)…
... just may shed some more light on the background and history of the knife.... no doubt I think it is rare (which no way equates with value) but would love to know from an historical standpoint 
