All About Pocket Knives

Anyone else collect them? I'm just starting out and have been shocked that it's taken me this long to realise the gems that are out there.

This is my first one

shade under 3" closed, has been kicking my #14 out of its usual spot
I'd love to know how old it is

This ones in the posties hands at the moment

Yes Jos. Rodgers & Sons made some of the finest knives ever made right up to this day. About 1850 to 1920 was the time period of most of their "Exhibition" knives. By WW II things had changed but up until then, buying a Jos Rodgers & Sons knife was getting the best knife anywhere on the planet.
"Sheffield Exhibition Knives" is a wonderful book to see these best of the best knives. You can buy a new copy on ebay for ~ $40.
Those both are very good knives that you show. I am a little jealous.
kj

Thanks I'm in the UK I'll see if I can track a copy down

This one isn't mine but its such a fine example its worthy of its own post

Nice knife Corso ... As KJ noted Rodgers was indeed top notch in their quality and made some spectacular knives... I 2nd KJ's suggestion for that book - lots of eye candy ...

Here you go Corso, I've posted these before on different threads. My only 2 but would love the find more!

Great knives everyone. This Jos Rodgers & Sons with stainless blade dates circa 1920s

Love it SK

Posted some time ago but at home here. These date to the early 1900s. Rodgers employees with long term service and stag and ivory stores. The employes all have 50 years plus with the company. Many started in their early teens and a few as early as 11 or 12 years of age.

Now those pictures are cool! Thanks for posting them

You're welcome. I love the two knives you posted.

Corso… your knife looks similar to one of these in the top row of the second page from 1920ish.

Great knives with a lot of history. I have 3, all stag.

Beautiful knives John.

smiling-knife wrote:Corso… your knife looks similar to one of these in the top row of the second page from 1920ish.

very cool

thanks for the picture

Yes I agree beauty’s John

S-K - Great info and photos about Rodgers, and nice stainless Rodgers example

Some great knife additions Mike and John ... All beauties across the board!

I find Rodgers, especially old ones like above, to be hard to find in this country in general - but I don't know if that is because the Rodgers knives reside in collections that we don't see ... Makes some sense given their desirability....

Here are a few of mine (2 blade Quill knife in MOP, Hawkbill in stag and a budding/grafting knife in ivory - ca. 1800s - with the hawkbill pre1860 based on integrated liners and bolsters - England not noted on any knife) -

Beautiful knives LongBlade. All fantastic examples.

Thanks S-K ...

A premium stockman with bone scales. Not that old... 1950s-60s I think.

Here's one I did a "repair" on, if you can call it that. Not a great job but it allowed me to carry it.

It would be interesting to know how the steel on an older Jos. Rodgers & Sons holds up when compared with a USA knife of similar age.
J.R. is famous for fit & finish and top handle materials but were the blades any better than less expensive knives when it comes to sharpening and edge holding ?
I have never seen a post about how well an older/vintage J.R. knife performs.
kj

Years ago, on the mezzanine outside The Blade Show in Atlanta, were two almost unbelievable collections of very high quality Sheffield knives, very heavy on Joseph Rodgers.

Both, I think were put together and owned by physicians.

I think they have subsequently been broken up and sold.

Charlie Noyes

RobesonsRme.com wrote:Years ago, on the mezzanine outside The Blade Show in Atlanta, were two almost unbelievable collections of very high quality Sheffield knives, very heavy on Joseph Rodgers.

Both, I think were put together and owned by physicians.

I think they have subsequently been broken up and sold.

Charlie Noyes

Charlie:I think that may have been the Dr. Jack Holifield collection that was broken up and sold after his passing. There was an article in one of the knife magazines about it;I'll see if I can find it.
Here are some of my Rodgers knives.