A great find!

[Andriesvg56]

I have found this knife/chopper and was wondering of the quality I have here. Can anyone shed some light?

 

[Andriesvg56]

Parkes Biped Quality No 5518 Sheffield

 

[irona]

Parkes Biped Quality No 5518 Sheffield

Wow, how did you know that?

 

[Andriesvg56]

Well,that's the information that's embedded into the blade.

 

[irona]

Well,that's the information that's embedded into the blade.

Ohh, my bad - I didn't even look that closely at the picture.

 

[crom]

Looks like a corn knife.

 

[NJBillK]

I have an email out, I will update this as I gain information.

For now I can tell you that it is a piece of rather nice quality and seems to have served someone faithfully. It has been sharpened quite a bit but still has Plenty of life left in it.

 

[Andriesvg56]

Awesome!,thank you. I found it in an old tool box I was given after my wife's grandparents past on. I have replaced the old wooden handle with the one in the pic and given the blade some needed tlc. Some more information would be greatly appreciated. What is the primary use of the knife?

 

[Andriesvg56]

The timber I used on the handle is Rhodesian teak.

 

[Andriesvg56]

 

[Andriesvg56]

I also found this "feed tool" in the tool box! "Slater brothers" in the blade.

 

[NJBillK]

This might be a bit of a lead.
http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/A._and_F._Parkes_and_Co
Seems like they closed up shop in 2011, but I am not certain on that date.
Some digging around should yield more info. I didn't find much current or past documentation on the company in the UK tax filings.

 

[tltt]

This is the company - http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/A._and_F._Parkes_and_Co , you'll need someone more familiar with the English tool trade to tell you more.

The knife is in the billhook family, and looks to be a tea pruner based on size. Quality wise, I'd put it as pre WWII.

Here's a look at other tea pruners by Wostenholm / IXL -

.

 

[NJBillK]

Can you upload a close up or high contrast photo of the tang stamp that shows the model number?
In regards to his closing question, I sent over the photo from your initial post.
-----
Below is one of the emails I was sent with some info.
-
Parkes were based in Birmingham, later Wigan as part of English Tools Ltd, later Bulldog Tools…

I also have a curious Sheffield stamped tool – so I guess they outsourced its manufacture to a Sheffield maker…
Mine is an Indian tea pruner…

5518 is not a normal catalogue number – can you please send an image??

 

[Andriesvg56]

 

[Andriesvg56]

My apologies for my not responding sooner. Trust these pics will help. If need better resolution pls let me know. Thank you for your troubles and time,much appreciated.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Looks like 8518 to me.

 

[Glock20sfguy]

Wow....

Well,that's the information that's embedded into the blade.

 

[Andriesvg56]

I think you may be right! My bad[emoji85]