- Joined
- Sep 28, 2005
- Messages
- 4,527
I find myself in unfamiliar waters here, and would like some input from the fine people around here. This spring at an antique show, this little guy followed me home for $20:
It's C.T. Skelton & Co Sheffield pruner, solid stag covers that still fit very well, pinched/lined/outlined bolsters, steel pommel, square and flush tang:handle (not sure if this is the proper term), firm solid opening and closing (little snap opening, not much closing but very solid feel). Swedge on pile side, swayback, pins with small circular impressions (punched?). Many things that I have not had on a slipjoint before, so I thought it would be a good candidate for my first older pruner. 7 1/4" open, 4 1/4" closed, 3" blade
My dilemma is this- Is this going to be the first slipjoint that I leave alone? I haven't sharpened it (yet), but would like to, although it has been used well in the past, I'm not sure if it is old/special enough to leave it, or sharpen it up and put it to use as it was meant to be. I've never had this series of thoughts enter my brain before, so it is foreign to me.
I may put this up in Levine's forum to find out more about its heritage (unless that information is shown to me here), but I wanted a user and collector POV, And I know I won't get the user POV there, but would here. The knife is still solid and has been a worker- guess I am looking more for arguments on why I shouldn't cut my apple tree with it. If it turns out to be rare/desirable/collectible it may sit on the desk, but I am pretty close to sharpening it, holding myself back until this discussion.
Some more pics to give a full picture:
It's a slippery slope not using a knife I bought, I have to tread carefully here!!
It's C.T. Skelton & Co Sheffield pruner, solid stag covers that still fit very well, pinched/lined/outlined bolsters, steel pommel, square and flush tang:handle (not sure if this is the proper term), firm solid opening and closing (little snap opening, not much closing but very solid feel). Swedge on pile side, swayback, pins with small circular impressions (punched?). Many things that I have not had on a slipjoint before, so I thought it would be a good candidate for my first older pruner. 7 1/4" open, 4 1/4" closed, 3" blade
My dilemma is this- Is this going to be the first slipjoint that I leave alone? I haven't sharpened it (yet), but would like to, although it has been used well in the past, I'm not sure if it is old/special enough to leave it, or sharpen it up and put it to use as it was meant to be. I've never had this series of thoughts enter my brain before, so it is foreign to me.
I may put this up in Levine's forum to find out more about its heritage (unless that information is shown to me here), but I wanted a user and collector POV, And I know I won't get the user POV there, but would here. The knife is still solid and has been a worker- guess I am looking more for arguments on why I shouldn't cut my apple tree with it. If it turns out to be rare/desirable/collectible it may sit on the desk, but I am pretty close to sharpening it, holding myself back until this discussion.
Some more pics to give a full picture:
It's a slippery slope not using a knife I bought, I have to tread carefully here!!
) to put new edge on it. BUT, I think your mention of posting in Levine's forum is a very good idea. I'd wait to hear what he has to say about it, before 'altering' it, in any way.
