All About Pocket Knives

I recently happened across this old beauty for about 40 bucks. I know its got blade wear, but I like them old swell center knives. I tried to look for information on it and found that it was pre-1930, but I'm not sure because Shapleigh had involvement in some of the Norvell knives and I'm just not sure on how to date this one. I know that it deserves to remain..

Nice knife! I only have one Norvel-Shapleigh knife and it was German made.Is yours stamped Germany on the back of the tang?

The only thing that I can see is when you look very close you can see what looks to me like a " S." above the Norvell. I will try to get it in a picture.

The S is for Saunders. Saunders Norvell was the President of Norvell Shapleigh Hardware among many other noteworthy accomplishments (he was president of Remington Arms 1928-1936). I have owned many Norvell Shapleigh Diamond Edge knives c. 1902-1920, but never a S. Norvell produced during the same time frame. Very cool knife, thanks for showing it,

Thanks for the help in learning a little more about it. I only have a couple of Shapleigh knives and one is a very worn DE29, but I always look for a nice one when I see some.

Were the "S/Norvell" knives a special top of the line product ?
kj

Saunders Norvell took over as President of the Shapleigh Hardware Company on July 1, 1901 following his purchase of 60% of the stock and the firm officially became the Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Company. He remained President until January 1, 1901 when he submitted his resignation from the office of President but remained on as Chairman of the Board of Directors. On January 20, 1913 he submitted his resignation from the firm completely. It was accepted by the Board of Directors at their meeting on February 27, 1913. This information is from Mr. Norvell's autobiographical book FORTY YEARS OF HARDWARE published in 1924. I have been an avid collector of Shapleigh knives for about 45 years now an have quite a number of Norvell-Shapleigh knives but only a couple dozen with the S. Norvell tang stamp. They are indeed quite difficult to find and the one pictured by jporter is a dandy. As for kootenjay joe's question, I do not believe the S. Norvell stamped knives were their premium line. The only evidence I have for this conclusion is that every Shapleigh catalog have including from the Norvell years clearly touts knives stamped DIAMOND EDGE as their top-of-the-line brand. Any other marking is a secondary line.


Thanks! -JH

Great find, and a pretty rare stamp. Goins' lists "S. Norvell St. Louis c 1902-1917. A marking used by Norvell-Shapleigh."

Yours is the first S. Norvell I've seen. Thanks for showing it.

Ken

Wow, I had no idea that the S. Norvell name or knife carried such a cool history. Must have been a heck of a guy. Definitely a big thanks to all my friends on AAPK for sharing some knowledge ~ Jon

Here is my Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Co. fish jack. Given to me by my sister-in-law many years ago;it belonged to her grandfather.

Fantastic info in this thread.
I have a small, but growing collection of STLO historical knives. I have family in the STLO area, and have become interested in the knives from the area.
These are the first knives of this stamp that I have ever seen. Perhaps one day one will show up on my purchase radar.

JH, thank you for the Norvell history and for answering my question. both much appreciated.
kj

As St Louis said the book he listed is a fantastic historical account and well written Saunders Norvell wrote quite a bit in magazines and newspapers. Worth the read.

4 1/8" farmers jack Made by Empire. I didn't touch the blades ,some other joker did that, expecting shiny would bring more money. I expect reprofiled the pruner.

Saunders Norvell was my great grandfather and I recently found this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-S-Norv ... 4569901014

Greyforest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:51 am Saunders Norvell was my great grandfather and I recently found this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-S-Norv ... 4569901014

That's really cool and to AAPK!

Greyforest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:51 am Saunders Norvell was my great grandfather and I recently found this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-S-Norv ... 4569901014

Welcome to AAPK. It’s a shame that old pearl pens don’t sell for more. Someone got a bargain on that one.

Ken

He was quite the man of his time Greyforest. Welcome

I would think that knife is almost certainly Empire made.

Funny I happened to stumble onto this thread on Norvell when I just found my first one last weekend at the fleamarket for $1. It is a 2 3/4" MOP whittler, and the pearl is in nice shape.

Nice little knife, nice price.

Harold

OC you did very good. Only $1.00! amazing.

Very nice knife. I have one just like it but only 2 blades. Curious as to what they might be worth.

marclafrenais wrote: ↑Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:06 pm Very nice knife. I have one just like it but only 2 blades. Curious as to what they might be worth.

We need good pictures to offer assistance.

It's old. Somewhere 1902-1915 I think. Not much value as a collectible.