Another Clasp knife ID request....

[AKC]

Hello,

I recently acquired a Clasp knife via everybody's favorite auction site.

I don't know half of what I should know about them, but I did have an opportunity to get one very similar to it several years ago in a friends shop, an opportunity I didn't take and sort of regretted since. One reason I didn't, at the time, I felt the asking price was a bit steep ($275.00, as I recall) and I just couldn't justify the price.

This one seemed quite reasonable, although I did snipe the auction at the last second (literally) and paid $88.00.

I am still awaiting delivery but the seller did have quite a few high quality pictures, I thought some other eyes looking at the construction techniques and other details might provide some insights as to maker, period and fair value.

I can't spot a makers or dealers mark in the photos, wouldn't be at all surprised if there isn't one, as is often the case with these knives.














I know that was a lot of pictures to look through and I appreciate any input and thank all for their time.

[bernard_levine]

It is a French pattern, but does not look like French construction or proportions.

Might be from Hungary, or Czech Republic... or possibly Spain.

*

Note: photos taken at an angle are not high quality. They reveal a seller trying to hide something.

BRL...

[AKC]

Thanks, Bernard.

Note: photos taken at an angle are not high quality. They reveal a seller trying to hide something.

That, or they are having trouble fitting the knife in their frame at closeup. It'll remain to be seen when I finally have it in hand.

[rprocter]

I have never seen a bolt and nut used for the blade pivot. Is this common in this pattern from "Hungary, or Czech Republic... or possibly Spain" ?
It looks like the nuts and bolts at the local hardware store.
roland

[tltt]

Screw together construction is common on this type and a few other types of traditional European knives. The hex type nut is not common though, I suspect it is either a minor repair or this is a newer knife.

[littleknife]

I have never seen a bolt and nut used for the blade pivot. Is this common in this pattern from "Hungary, or Czech Republic... or possibly Spain" ?
It looks like the nuts and bolts at the local hardware store.
roland

I doubt it is a Hungarian knife. If it is, it must have been made quite recently, during the last 20-25 years, as a copy of a French knife.
Ring pull knives are not typical for Hungary. Most Hungarian clasp knives were either simple friction folders or slipjoints of the Solingen type. As far as I know nuts and bolts were not used prior WW2 by Hungarian knife makers, and most contemporary Hungarian makers still use the traditional pins rather than nuts and bolts.

[CWL]

Here's a presumed French Navaja-style knife estimated late 1800-early 1900s that was sold in RI. Looks like the inspiration for the one posted by the OP.





http://www.sailorinsaddle.com/product.aspx?id=935