A Sheffield-made Woodcraft Knife

[Jack Black]

I picked up this small fixed-blade today. It’s a Maleham & Yeomans (of Sheffield) Scout Woodcraft Knife. It has a cast aluminium guard and pommel. The knife has clearly seen a great deal of hard use, and carries a lot of scars, but it’s still in good shape. There’s no sheath unfortunately.

The blade is almost black with patina, and is stamped with ‘Scouts Woodcraft Knife’. It shows a bit better than the poor photo above shows.




I imagine that the Marbles Woodcraft (see above), which was adopted by the US Scouts, was clearly an influence in terms of this knife being produced. Yet, despite some similarities, they are clearly quite different knives.

As always, if only it could speak! And, almost ‘as always’, apologies for the poor pics, which are just taken on my kitchen table tonight. I’ll try and get better soon.

Now, should I keep it in its vintage state or try and turn it into a user?!

Jack


More pics post 21

 

[puukkoman]

Jack, I think that, in its vintage state, it IS a user!

That's a cool one, thanks for posting.

 

[Gevonovich]

This is a great find, my friend. I don't know what I would do? Don't know how many old Sheffield Bushcraft knives are out there.

 

[Jack Black]

Don't know how many old Sheffield Bushcraft knives are out there.

I've never seen another and can't find any on t'internet. They probably all got lost playing mumblety-peg!

 

[Gevonovich]

I've never seen another and can't find any on t'internet. They probably all got lost playing mumblety-peg!

LOL The in hand shot sure makes it look like a good EDC and user. I can see why this one has lots of wear.

 

[Jack Black]

I can see why this one has lots of wear.

It looks as if it has been bashed by hammers!

 

[sitflyer]

It looks as if it has been bashed by hammers!

I've seen a few " toolbox" knives with similar character. Ill bet that one was a real work knife for someone:thumbup: I kinda like them like that sometimes

 

[Jack Black]

I've seen a few " toolbox" knives with similar character. Ill bet that one was a real work knife for someone:thumbup: I kinda like them like that sometimes

Yeah me too Duane. There's no signs of paint, putty, or plaster on this one thankfully, but I've also seen plenty of old fixed blades left to sit by the firewood next to the fire and used for splitting it. It's certainly seen plenty of use, and thankfully been kept away from dad's pal with the grindstone

 

[Chris Montgomery]

Very nice find Jack. I am amazed by the variety of cutlery that came out of Sheffield. There truly was something for everyone. Incredibly wonderful history. If that knife could talk imagine the stories.

I have a friend that works at the Arkansas Historic Museum, which has the largest display of historic and fine hand made knives I have ever seen and I get a bit jealous when he tells me of the pieces he get to handle for one reason or another. I always look at the historic pieces and wonder what they have been through.

Thanks for sharing.

Chris

 

[Jack Black]

Very nice find Jack. I am amazed by the variety of cutlery that came out of Sheffield. There truly was something for everyone. Incredibly wonderful history. If that knife could talk imagine the stories.

I have a friend that works at the Arkansas Historic Museum, which has the largest display of historic and fine hand made knives I have ever seen and I get a bit jealous when he tells me of the pieces he get to handle for one reason or another. I always look at the historic pieces and wonder what they have been through.

Thanks for sharing.

Chris

Thanks Chris Sounds like the Arkansas Historic Museum would be a great place for a visit. It always surprises me how FEW knives are on display in the Sheffield museums, considering how many were produced, and what a big part of the city's history knives represent. I think GEC probably have more knives on display than any of the Sheffield museums!

 

[screened porch]

That's a sweet little knife. Sure, you should use it. Maybe a little Remington influence in it too, about the handle.
I like the texture on the spine.

 

[Jack Black]

That's a sweet little knife. Sure, you should use it. Maybe a little Remington influence in it too, about the handle.
I like the texture on the spine.

Thanks Jer. The gimping on the spine is nicely done, not too coarse like you often get today.

 

[Hammer67]

Great find, Jack (love the old Marble's poster too). Can you tell what the handle is made out of?

 

[puukkoman]

So, what are you gonna do with the ol' buzzard, Jack?
Sharpen 'er up and slip it into your sock?
If you get some new 'pants' made for it, be sure to show us please!

 

[Jack Black]

Great find, Jack (love the old Marble's poster too). Can you tell what the handle is made out of?

Thanks The handle's a dark, hard wood, which is put on as two scales. Certainly pretty tough, as it looks like it's had nearly as many bashings as the pommel!

So, what are you gonna do with the ol' buzzard, Jack?
Sharpen 'er up and slip it into your sock?
If you get some new 'pants' made for it, be sure to show us please!

I'm tempted to drop that tip a little Alex, but don't want to spoil the knife. It could with a bit of filing here and there, and certainly needs sharpening. I'm also tempted to get one of those real cheap and cheap-looking leather sheaths, with the press-stud fastening - give it the authentic Sheffield look!

 

[scruffuk]

Hi Jack, that looks much better than I imagined when you said it had seen some 'serious use'.

It looks great. The jimping stood out to me, or rather the opposite. I think that has been very well executed, not so 'abrasive' as seems to be the trend these days.

Could you post a pic of the knife in 'plan' view, so as to see the scales and spine etc? I'm wondering if the scales are mitred at all?
The single pin would otherwise seem not enough to secure the scales efficently (although clearly they are still well fast).

I'd encourage you to clean it up a bit for sure (especially on the grip/inside 'edge' of the pommel). But please, don't drop the tip, rather take out the 'bluntness' or belly at the point by reshaping the blade edge. It could make a great user. I'd like to think the steel will be razor sharp.

You could certainly buy one of those crappy Sheffield sheaths, it made me chuckle to read that, but I'm sure someone would be willing to make one up for it if you wished.

Great find anyway, and its nice to see your able to get away from those dainty pocket knives once in a while, and find a real knife!

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks Thom, very glad to hear what you think. I think it's seen a lot of hard use, but not been abused really - well clearly nothing this knife couldn't stand anyway!

I'll take some more pics shortly :thumbup:

 

[pinnah]

Wow, that's pretty cute!

I wonder if this was something made for the British scouting movement? A bit of back and forth cultural influences across the pond?

As much as I prefer drop points and as willing as I am to put a file to just about any knife I own (except for Grandpa's), I think I would sharpen that one as is. I'm not good enough to replicate the upper false edge so, for me, I would end up flattening off material all the way back to the hump on the spine. Putting paper up on the screen to cover part of the blade and squinting, I would think you would end up with a fairly skinny looking thing like a classic bird and trout. You also have the problem/feature of the upsweep to the spine right out of the handle, something particular to that wood craft style.

Actually, all things considered, I really like the lines of that blade as is. The overall upturn is different, but the spine and edge line work for me. Reminds me somewhat of the lines of GEC 72 and 42, only with a bit of an up angle.

 

[puukkoman]

I agree with Thom, for heaven's sake don't drop that tip! The blade's upswept profile is part of its charm, IMO.

Scruff, I think you've got the correct idea; looks to me like the handle cover and bolsters are mitred/dovetailed. (All you machinists and engineers: Sorry if I've got the terminology wrong...)

 

[Jack Black]

Wow, that's pretty cute!

I wonder if this was something made for the British scouting movement? A bit of back and forth cultural influences across the pond?

As much as I prefer drop points and as willing as I am to put a file to just about any knife I own (except for Grandpa's), I think I would sharpen that one as is. I'm not good enough to replicate the upper false edge so, for me, I would end up flattening off material all the way back to the hump on the spine. Putting paper up on the screen to cover part of the blade and squinting, I would think you would end up with a fairly skinny looking thing like a classic bird and trout. You also have the problem/feature of the upsweep to the spine right out of the handle, something particular to that wood craft style.

Actually, all things considered, I really like the lines of that blade as is. The overall upturn is different, but the spine and edge line work for me. Reminds me somewhat of the lines of GEC 72 and 42, only with a bit of an up angle.

Thanks for your considered opinion sir, much appreciated. I'll have to do a bit of file work or sanding on the false edge - it's actually got a bit of a wire edge from being hammered!

I agree with Thom, for heaven's sake don't drop that tip!

OK! OK!

Scruff, I think you've got the correct idea; looks to me like the handle cover and bolsters are mitred/dovetailed. (All you machinists and engineers: Sorry if I've got the terminology wrong...)

I'll try and post more pics shortly :thumbup: