A little Punchy this Afternoon!

Charlie,
as others have said (and more will keep saying), you are quite something in this forum, and in the knife world in general. Your passion, and even more your ability to spread it, is truly amazing, just as much as your will to test the knife world itself and see if good can lead to better. And, seeing your pictures, it sure can.
Apart from the greatness of these knives (I tried to decide which one I prefer...and I assume the jury will be out for a very long time :rolleyes: ), the best thing (to me) is the idea behind them all, the curiosity to see how different (and of undeniable talent) makers can give their interpretation of an old (and quite uncommon) pattern.
Thank you for "spreading the seed" (as I told you on another thread about your beloved HJ's).

Fausto
:cool:
 
Again very enjoying thread started by Charlie, those knives are no less than impressive, BUT by mo means, I prefer the original aged version of these knives. There is something that I can't explain in words in those oldies.
Mike
 
Campbellclanman said:
- I was camping and was sharpening my bladeforums knife ( 2011) and the shape of the knife came up in discussion with my Partner ( Sue ) and I, I also happened to have my equal ended Jack GEC which has a punch, and Sue asked me just what the punch was for, now folks please correct me if I was wrong in my explanation...but this is what I told Sue, as to be honest I am only going by what I have read.....
I thought that the punch was used in the Harness Jack style at the period when the horse was still the most commonly used as transport, also a precious utility tool as in farm work etc and the punch would serve as a piercing tool if there was a breakage in leather-you could on the spot repair and ream a new hole in the leather and re-strap etc the leather and carry on your way etc.........is this correct? because when I am looking at charlie's knives...there are a lot of variations to the punch, and I just do not understand the reason as to why there are so many variations?...it seems some punches are made for more leather carving than piercing?
Please forgive me if I sound completely out of touch :o
Duncan
Click to expand...

As usual you are completely IN touch! Your questions have come up many times, Duncan. Given the cluster of punch patents granted between 1902 and 1912 or so, I have to assume there was a hot market for them. Remember, many horses were in use in those times in America and elsewhere; in fact, right on through World War I. The companies were competing against possibly 100 other cutleries!! Given the population was much smaller, that competition must have been fierce! So - "Our Punch is the Best!" was the mantra of the times, IMO.
On the uses: I guess we have to move forward in time, where few of us have a Horse or buggy around the household!:D
Our well-fed societies need only so many leather belt alterations, so what indeed do we need these things for?? The short answer is, we need them less.
But they do have applications in wood carving, and in pipe smoking for the shrinking number of tobacco users. I have found an interesting way to juice citrus, using a punch which I will describe below*.
I'd be interested in hearing how other people use them, or have used them. It's time for me to compile that list!

*Thinner skinned oranges, limes and lemons work best. I've even done grapefruit.
Roll the fruit around in your hands, squeezing gently to "loosen up" it's innards. Cut a nice approx. 1/2" (1-1/2cm.) hole around the spot where the stem used to attach, and cut inside at an angle to break into all the sections. Roll and squeeze between thumb and fingers over a small glass, until you have extracted all the juice that you can, trying not to break the skin. Buon' Appetito!;)
 
An amazing collection Charlie! HJ is just
a GREAT old pattern. Thanks for sharing.

Jason
 
I want to thank Waynorth for re-introducing me to the punch.

I worked on farms and ranches in the 1940s through the 1970s. We often worked on leather. My memory is that I was usually given specialized tools for the work.

Since those working days, I have always had a knife punch handy somewhere nearby. Most often an old beat up SAK.

I recently acquired two of Charlie's Special run HJs in Ebony and Walnut. The Walnut is stunning.

More importantly, the Punches are very sharp and, with a little work, make a very nice, clean round hole.

Thank you again, Charlie for expanding my enjoyment of these great pocket tools.

Mike H.
 
Oh my gosh, those blade swedges, and that stag! Where's the drool icon?? :D
Beautiful knives sir, you are truly blessed and thank you for sharing them.
 
Charlie,

From a makers standpoint I am honored you had asked me many years ago to build a HJ. It is obvious from the pictures what an ambassador and asset you are to the knife collecting community and traditional pocket knife world in particular.

Thanks!
 
Amazing knives, Charlie :eek:. I particularly like that Richard Rogers Jack with the big Sheepsfoot.

My very first antique slipjoint was an acorn Remington (sorry about the lousy pic - it was a long time ago), and I've loved punch blades ever since. I'm surprised that they aren't more popular. I find all kinds of uses for them, and they have an inimitable olde-timey charm.

Rempunchjack.jpg
 
Nice old Remington, Rick! They made a beauty of a punch!
Here's another, with the acorn shield (again signifying a punch knife).
RemSerpHJ-1.jpg

I'll get some more pics Randy, eventually.

Ken, The pleasure is all mine! Thanks for making it!
 
That's a sweet Remington! Love that Pyremite; very swirly.

Is that an R635-D?
 
There is a romance with the punch that is hard to ignore, it symbolized a simpler time and one that was not so easy to live. I love the way you are keeping these knives alive with your desire to incorporate them back into the knife society.
Keep it up, these knives look fantastic. :thumbup:
 
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