All About Pocket Knives

I really like "Brassies". Can't say why they were made with brass handles The marine use theory doesn't seem sensible as the blades are still steel and subject to rust. Any ideas? Spark-proof?
Here are 5: (From the top clockwise): Wolfertz, Robeson, Wardlow, Robeson, Catt
J.O'.

Here are two more: A New York Knife and a fancy-handled Vom Cleff. NYK called their brass alloy, "GOLDINE". J.O'.

Nice knives, J.O'.; interesting with that brass handle.
I thought I had one. Couldn't find it.
I hope we see some more.

Too cool JO, almost pulled the trigger on a couple. The bring out the boy in me. Did I say they are cool?

Nice John. I don't have one, but I've seen a few Tynes.( a northern UK river ?)

Thanks Gents. O'.

Southington brass jack
3 11/16 inches closed swelled-end jack with brass handles, no bolsters or caps. Spear master blade with long nail pull. Tang-stamped SOUTH over INGTON over CUT.CO. on mark side. Arising from same (smaller) end of the knife is a pen blade with common or crescent nail pull, tang-stamped the same way. Both blades have half stops, strong snap both opening and closing, are well-centered in their respective wells when closed, butt up to their respective spring ends square and flush when opened, and have no lateral or vertical play. The blades appear to be unused and unsharpened. All steel has a few faint black speckles. One pin at each end, both apparently nickel silver and hard to see against the flawless heavy brass covers, which have only the very faintest of insignificant handling marks. There is a central thin brass liner between the springs. Goins’ Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings 1998 suggests a manufacture date of 1867 to 1905. A really lovely early jack knife in remarkably fine condition, mint except for age-related faint patina.

Schrade CutCo. This one is smaller, 3.25 inches closed.

Two sweet "Brassies"! Keep 'em coming. O'.

Not an Easy Open but it is brass.

Nice one. Still wondering why brass handles ? O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:15 am Nice one. Still wondering why brass handles ? O'.

Why not?

Here's a KA-BAR/Union Cut Co one. I have seen another that was nickel colored, don't know if it was plated or solid nickel.

Nice fat spear on that one Gene. Any thoughts on why brass ? J.O'.

I think brass was chosen because of it's unique appearance. Getting
a patina will make it even more interesting.

Bob

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2024 2:27 pm Nice fat spear on that one Gene. Any thoughts on why brass ? J.O'.

J.O', I really don't know why the brass. Maybe it's less destructable than bone or celluloid? No cracking handle covers for sure. I have never seen one with stainless blades so that would eliminate nautical use. They must have been pretty popular by the survival rate and the fact that many companies made them. I have never seen a Case one but I have owned KK, Camillus, and Ulster versions. I would love to get the nickel KA-BAR one I saw just to see if it's plated or not and it is near mint but the owner wants too much money for it.

Appreciate your thoughts. A brass hawk-bill would be my "grail". Merry Christmas. J.O'. .

No EO's but a coupla brassies: NYK rase knife and an H&B.

Love the H-B!! If they made one there must be an L.F.C. out there too. Thanks. O'.

TR: I really like the little chamfer at the blade end of the handle. Looks classy. J.O'.