- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Messages
- 72,319
One of the very first knives that I was given as a kid was a British Army Clasp Knife, and today the pattern, in all it's varieties, remains a firm favourite. Many of these knives went through a war, or through the rigours of 'National Service' afterwards. They were used hard, and often ended up as tool-box knives. While they're tough knives, among the toughest folders there are I think, many bear the scars of years of hard use and abuse. While I collect the old Sheffield-made examples, I often carry a Belgian-made knife in the same pattern, which are sometimes available in unissued condition, even though they were made in the early 1950's. Mine was made by the Belgian manufacturer Libert in 1951, and it tickles me that the knife was made ten years before I was born, and yet is in such great shape.
While I think these are great tough-use knives, they are certainly not the easiest of folders to open. If you want to talk about 'nail-breakers' these things deserve their own scale. Usually I can open the main blade by pinching the small portion that sits above the can-opener/cap-lifter blade, but with wet hands or in the cold, I've sometimes had to resort to using a coin to open the blade. If you like to keep your nails long or struggle with RA in your hands, this knife may not be the best for you, unless you want to mod it, or just keep it at home as a nice old vintage bottle-opener, or as a tool-box knife.
Anyway, if you want to give one of these knives a try, I think I have an example in particularly good condition in this Colasse model, made in 1950. I carry my clasp knife in a belt pouch, so I'll include one - A.G. Russell stocks this model, so I think the quality is reasonable. I also have mine set up on a chain with an old whistle, and since I've had a number of enquiries about the set-up, I'll also include a chain and whistle for whoever's name gets drawn out of the electronic hat.
This is open to anyone with more than ten posts in Traditionals, just post 'I'm in'. Good luck everyone, I'll let this run until interest wains, then pick a winner and post another giveaway.
Jack
While I think these are great tough-use knives, they are certainly not the easiest of folders to open. If you want to talk about 'nail-breakers' these things deserve their own scale. Usually I can open the main blade by pinching the small portion that sits above the can-opener/cap-lifter blade, but with wet hands or in the cold, I've sometimes had to resort to using a coin to open the blade. If you like to keep your nails long or struggle with RA in your hands, this knife may not be the best for you, unless you want to mod it, or just keep it at home as a nice old vintage bottle-opener, or as a tool-box knife.
Anyway, if you want to give one of these knives a try, I think I have an example in particularly good condition in this Colasse model, made in 1950. I carry my clasp knife in a belt pouch, so I'll include one - A.G. Russell stocks this model, so I think the quality is reasonable. I also have mine set up on a chain with an old whistle, and since I've had a number of enquiries about the set-up, I'll also include a chain and whistle for whoever's name gets drawn out of the electronic hat.
This is open to anyone with more than ten posts in Traditionals, just post 'I'm in'. Good luck everyone, I'll let this run until interest wains, then pick a winner and post another giveaway.
Jack
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Just had to say cool giveaway!
