All About Pocket Knives

Hi, I have a folding knife which came to me from London. It has wooden handle and this sizes in the unfolded state: len:19 cm. blade: 8.5 x 2.1 cm.
So I tried to identify it, but didn`t find anything like it on internet, and I decided, that it is not often knife. Then I put photo to preplexity and got this: "Your knife is an English folding knife (pocket/jack knife), most likely from the 16th to 18th century. It was a personal item used for eating and everyday tasks, and its folding design made it practical and safe to carry. If it is richly decorated, it may also have served as a status symbol."
So can I trust this? Or maybe there are any others opinions?
Thanks

Doesn't look at all English to me. I would guess African with an emphasis on GUESS. I also think it may have been owned by someone of prominence if the rosettes on the iron pins are gold. They do look like gold to me. Handles look an awful lot like horn in some places.

Very interesting old knife.

The style looks like a Navaja, an ancient design which is reputed to be of Moorish origin. Common in Spain and France. They often have handles made from horn, and are found around the world, often in areas that have had Spanish influence. See here for more info search.php?keywords=Navaja&terms=all&au ... mit=Search

Ken

Wayne, Ken - thank you very much!!! So what I have at the moment:
1. Most likely it is not English
2. Rosettes - may be gold. Thank you Wayne, this idea couldn't come to my mind, I was sure it was copper or brass, so gold wasn't even a thought. So I make simple test for rosette, what was at hand - was vinegar, and no reaction, sounds good. Also I made another macro of rosette and yes, it looks like gold, but the dirt in the grooves is a bit disconcerting, but it should come off if I clean it with something sharp.
3. Handles look like horn. Probably yes, I took another macro of one of the end of the handle, and it doesn`t look like wood. It feels smooth to the touch, but that's not an indicator. I think the fibers need to be studied.
4. Origin - African or Navaja (Spain/France). Thank you Ken for link, the shape is very similar to Navaja knives.
So I have a lot of future direction to study this object.

to AAPK, thanks for posting.

multiverse wrote: ↑Thu May 15, 2025 8:56 am Also I made another macro of rosette and yes, it looks like gold, but the dirt in the grooves is a bit disconcerting, but it should come off if I clean it with something sharp.

May I suggest a sharp toothbrush.

FRJ wrote: ↑Thu May 15, 2025 12:37 pm

multiverse wrote: ↑Thu May 15, 2025 8:56 am Also I made another macro of rosette and yes, it looks like gold, but the dirt in the grooves is a bit disconcerting, but it should come off if I clean it with something sharp.

May I suggest a sharp toothbrush.

Yes under the term "sharp" I mean something like - sharp toothbrush , not needle And by the way I tried iodine - still no reaction. So I think better way - do not clean yet.