Unusual and/or unique knives

[knife7knut]

Being a newcomer to this forum,I figured to peruse the posts for awhile and maybe post a reply or two.Well today is the REAL Armistice Day(that's what my grandfather called it).I went out this morning to mail some packages overseas and the post office was closed.This was before I had my first cup of coffee so I am barely coherent.I then headed down to the local auto parts store to get a new battery for my lawn mower.It was good so that means I have to tear into it today to find out what is wrong(it is a switch that is a PITA to replace). I said the heck with it;I'll go on the computer.

Anyway,my reason for starting this thread is I haven't noticed anything about unusual or unique knives on here. In my 50 plus years of accumulating knives,I would go through different phases; e.g.: I would collect pearl handled knives and then stag handled and then ivory.I would collect multiblades or hunters or automatics. In all my collecting I would always opt for the unusual;be it a knife for a specific purpose or a knife that didn't look like a knife or anything pertaining to knives.

This led to unusual fishing knives as well as kitchen utensils and letter openers; which I am actively seeking now.

Which brings me to the question: What do YOU like to collect that is unusual and/or unique in the cutlery field? I would like to see some examples along with a description of what they are and the makers if possible. I am going to post a couple of the more unusual ones that I have and hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.

The first one is one of the most bizarre pieces I've ever seen. It is called the Lawn Razor and as it's name implies,it is a hand sickle that has about a dozen double edged razor blades clamped inside.There is a guard over them when they fold into the handle.The blades can be flipped over when they get dull. Recycling at it's best.Not sure of the year. but probably late 40's to early 50's.

Next is a small manicure set.What makes this one unique is that the different blades fold out for use.Makes for a very compact unit;probably for travel use.No maker's name.Possibly 1930's era.

Last one for now is an e-Bay find.Fairly recent and I have no clue as to it's purpose.Looks like a folding version of an old Chinese knife I have and I don't know it's use either.Anyone?

So post your oddities here folks;I'll post some more tomorrow.Now I have to fix that D**N lawn mower!
Ray

[Bob W.]

Last one for now is an e-Bay find.Fairly recent and I have no clue as to it's purpose.Looks like a folding version of an old Chinese knife I have and I don't know it's use either.Anyone?

I have some guesses. Please dont consider me an authority or expert.

I'd guess the "18 Wheeler" knife/tool is for picking rocks and junk out of truck tire treads.

The Chinese knife look completely different, like some sort of hand-held harvesting tool. Perhaps for bamboo, grass, or rice? The blade is meant for cutting, and the bit on the end is to keep the crop/grain stalks from sliding off the end of the blade without being cut.

An interesting topic. I bet you'll see some odd stuff once the 'regulars' start posting!

[Bob W.]

Regarding my own buying habits, I'm an "Accumulator", buying knives of every sort, whatever interests me at the moment.

One of the subjects that I semi-seriously collect are Schrade-USA Old Timers. And here's the most unusual thing in that sub-collection. It's a multi-colored brand logo melted or cut into the plastic handles. Gee. I wonder why that never caught on?




I am also interested in knives with unusual locks or mechanisms. Nealy Lock on the TimerberLites, Benchmade's Rollox, Van Hoy's Snap-Lok, Soque River's Lev-R-Lock, Case Tri-Fold, etc., etc. And here's one that was a mass-produced factory product but is rarely seen now, the Aristocrat Majestic.


The lever folds forward into a notch on the blade so that it's flush when using the knife. Fold it backwards and it unlocks the blade.

[knife7knut]

Thanks for the input Bob;someone had suggested that the 18 wheeler knife's blade might be for that. I also like different and unusual lock mechanisms;tha Majestic is neat! Never seen one before.

As for the Neeley lock;I recently bought two Timberlite mini knives on e-Bay with that locking mechanism and the seller was:Margaret Neeley! She had ten left;don't know if she has any more.I paid $10 apiece for them and they are great little knives.

Here's a couple more for you(the lawn mower will get done EVENTUALLY ):

American Knife Co.Plymouth Hollow Ct. with a folding brass ruler patented 1866.
An Avon Boy Scout folding comb in the shape of a knife(I like this one).
A Bonsa 2 blade knife;one of which is a folding "church key".
A DuroLite mechanical pencil with a sliding blade in the end. I have several with folding blades but this is the only sliding one.The piece in the picture is a safety cap.
And lastly;a pair of high end poultry shears made by Eloi Pernet of France.You have to see the construction of these to believe it.

[Bob W.]

As for the Neeley lock;I recently bought two Timberlite mini knives on e-Bay with that locking mechanism and the seller was:Margaret Neeley! She had ten left;don't know if she has any more.I paid $10 apiece for them and they are great little knives.

As I recall, those were originally priced in the $35-$50 range. They were available in at least two different sizes, several different colors, and with or without a partially-serrated edge.

SMKW came up with a warehouse stash recently and is selling them for $10 apiece, should you want a couple more.
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eComm ... KU=TL10310

Here's an interesting knife, not quite unique but I've never seen this version on the resale markets:



It's a Timberlite from Timberline Knives, with a twist. The clear models were made with fake blades for dealers to demonstrate the knives to customers. Well AG Russell had some made with the clear Demo handles and real blades.

[knife7knut]

That is a very neat knife Bob! I seem to remember Buck having some 110's made up as salesman's samples with clear handles as well.Used to go for big bucks(no pun intended)when they were first made.

The Timberlite knives I got are indeed partially serrated with black Zytel handles but are only 3" long closed.The blade etch on the reverse(pile)side is "The Great American Tool Co. Buffalo NY". Reminds me of a knife I bought once just for the engraving:A cheap little chrome plated German knife with the words," The Great American Cookie and Plywood Company" on the scales.Never did figure THAT one out!

What the heck;here's a few more:

Cressi floating fish knife with cork scales and a plastic sheath.note bottle cap opener on end.
Folding fisherman knife/tool.I have several of these by various makers.
An unusual fish knife that has two blades separated by a phenolic spacer.Razor sharp on the curved side.Comes apart for cleaning.
The Food Mizer:an exceptionally wicked looking piece.A razor sharp blade combined with a stainless steel(and equally sharp)sawblade.The unusual part is the etch:an ad for a welding supply shop!

[jonet143]

The Great American Cookie and Plywood Company" on the scales.Never did figure THAT one out!


being for a plywood company, the "cookies" are cutouts that are glued in to replace knothole, flaws. they look like little footballs. also used to join wood to wood joints.