A Sheffield Stockman Goes Home

Jack Black

Jack Black

Seize the Lambsfoot! Seize the Day!
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Odd as it may seem, I come across relatively few knives that are made by Sheffield’s best known historic cutlers, Joseph Rodgers and George Wostenholm. I have a few knives with the Wosteholm stamp, and a couple of Rodgers knives, neither of which are anything special, and that is it. I imagine that the fact the names of these firms are well known means that people are more likely to hang onto them, but of course, the vast majority of knives that were made in Sheffield were made for export, and more went to America than anywhere else.

The Wostenholm Stockman is, I think, a classic pattern, and knives are still made of that pattern with the Wostenholm tang stamp (now owned by the Eggington Group). Again, I think the main market for this pattern was probably the US rather than England. The Stockman pattern is one I like a lot.



This week I was thrilled to be sent a Wostenholm Superior Stock Knife by Lyle. The pattern is the same as the one in this 1930’s Wostenholm catalogue, which I think belongs to Smiling-Knife. It appears that the pen was originally a spey-blade. Personally I will find the pen more useful, indeed I already am. The knife is in great shape, sharp, and I’m already carrying it. Yesterday I took it with me over to Sheffield for a return visit to the place of its birth.

Thanks again Lyle

Jack :thumbup:





 
Very nice Lyle and no better place for it to be than with Jack and it's birthplace :thumbup:

Terrific gift and thanks for the post Jack :)

Paul
 
Gotta love the "shrinking" main blade on that one and how it has reached the blade's etching. There's just something about a well used and cared for vintage knife that turns my crank.
 
That is a wonderful idea and knife, Lyle! How many times does a knife get to see its birth place again. Very cool, Jack!!

Another time...if only a knife could speak, or laugh, or cry
 
nice stockman, I like what appears to be the super high convex effect of sharpening on that sheepsfoot.
 
Thanks guys, the old knife has certainly been well-used. Well cared for too, good and sharp, and there's no play or any sign of weakness in the springs. I think it'll be a good companion :)

Jack
 
They are well made knives and the steel is good. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Good to see it home again.
 
The pattern seems unchanged from the early 1930s shown earlier to this one in a 1960s catalogue.

001_zpse01ffbc0.jpg
 
smiling-knife said:
They are well made knives and the steel is good. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Good to see it home again.
Click to expand...

Thanks my friend. I'm just uploading pics of something else I think you'll like (might take a while) :)

Ralph Merlino said:
How old would it be?
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The catalogue is from the 1930's, and it could easily be from that period, but I believe that was a long-running pattern (it's still made today).
 
Thanks for the extra info S-K (I'm sorry, I was posting at the same time as you) :)
 
Lyle,
Thanks for making the world go round in the right direction.

Jack,
If only that Knife could talk.
Very Nice Warm Looking Feel to That Stockman.
 
leghog said:
Gotta love the "shrinking" main blade on that one and how it has reached the blade's etching. There's just something about a well used and cared for vintage knife that turns my crank.
Click to expand...

I agree, nothing more cool than seeing these old, worn, well-maintained classics.
 
Knife has character. Could you tell us a little about what is in the background of the photos?

Tom p
 
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