JOHN NOWILL & SONS

[Ridgegrass]

Nice old shadow from JOHN NOWILL & SONS, Sheffield. Looks pretty old. Bones are worn smooth. Company's been around since 1700! J.O'.

[1967redrider]

Great looking pen knife.

[jwwood]

Nice One! Seen some time in the pocket.

[kootenay joe]

Up to, i don't know when, but maybe WW II, pen knives were more popular than jack knives and also more expensive. As a result there are many tens of thousands (maybe even a million) of vintage pen knives 'out there'. Most have been used, often heavily used with ++ blade loss, but there still are many that have had only a little use and rarely seen would be a good one never used. Some of the very Best are British, going back to 1830 although you rarely see any older than about 1870. Note i am referring to the places i look which is only ebay and knife forums. Certainly there are more 'good ones' that are in collections i do not get to see. i.e. there likely is a higher proportions of near mint pen knives than my searches reveal.
U.S.A. and Germany also made top quality pen knives, but not quite to the level of the best of Sheffield.
Because they are in good supply and demand is fairly low, most pen knives sell for low money.
I collect pen knives more than jack knives because i like them. The lower price is a welcome bonus.
With some, the spring was made to be stiffer at the master end and a bit softer at the secondary end.
The ones from before WW I were nearly all built with hand tools, no power tools or machine tools. Used a bow drill to make pivot pin holes and the fit over 100 years of use, is still perfect. The good ones (depends to some degree on brand) are exquisitely well made.
Another aspect that interests me is that most got a lot of use. What was it about life over 100 years ago that had most men needing to cut something on most days ? I doubt it was farmers or loggers etc. as outdoor or construction men would need a larger, stronger jack knife.
Must have been office or factory type workers who wanted a slim knife, comfortable in pocket, but what were they so frequently needing to cut ?
Hope you have not minded my ramble, but i like pen knives.
kj

[TPK]

Nice old shadow from JOHN NOWILL & SONS, Sheffield. Looks pretty old. Bones are worn smooth. Company's been around since 1700! J.O'.

Very cool pen knife! I like it!

[Ridgegrass]

KJ: I enjoyed your "ramble". I like them too. I agree they can often be had inexpensively and they are most times, well used. I guess anybody can carry a penknife but a jack knife in a dress suit is a bit out of place. Sadly, I see many with weak or broken springs from half-opening both blades and I try to "educate" shop owners of the danger. Maybe I'll drag a few out for some pics. Stay tuned. Keep "ramblin" man, I'm a fan. J.O'.

[Ridgegrass]

KJ and all: Here are three of my favorites. 1). CANTON CUTLERY CO. 3-1/2"Peppermint cellulose, Swell-center Whittler
2). CATT. 2-11/16" 22849 Flat, Swell-center.
3). 3-3/16" WADE BROS. CELEBRATED CUTLERY , Genuine Tortoise, swell-center balloon whittler Beat up but a survivor.

Also: HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY to all and home ! J.O'.