Anybody wish to tell me about the Bullock Shield?

Bruce Bump

Bruce Bump

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
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I used the Bullock Shield for the first time and got two people enquiring why I chose it. I know it has something to do with a young bull but thats all I got. There must be some history lesson here? What do I tell the young ladies?

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Bruce, sorry I have NO idea. Kinda reminds me of a queen in chess. You could send me the knife to study and I'm sure that in a few months I could give you a definative answer.;)

Paul
 
Paul 883215 said:
Bruce, sorry I have NO idea. Kinda reminds me of a queen in chess. You could send me the knife to study and I'm sure that in a few months I could give you a definative answer.;)

Paul
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:D Thanks Paul, We thought it was the queen from Chess too but its called bullock I think.
 
My limited knowledge of it is that it was used by NY Knife Co, Empire, and others back in the day. It is a disguised (kinda) ... er...phallic symbol
 
I've seen it called a keyhole shield when someone's trying to be polite. :p Once upon a time, bullock knife handles were the thing - from somewhat abstract to rather blatant.
 
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Just say in the cattle world a steer is young casterated male destined for market. A bull is not a casterated male and will be used for breeding. When you look under an adult bull you may see something that looks like this shield but in the flesh.

Back when I asked as a kid my father was more direct.

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It's been around a good long time (I've seen it on a variety of vintage knives) and it goes by several names. The name you cite just happens to be popular around here for some reason.

(Don't dwell on it too much or it may scare you away from hanging around these parts. ;):rolleyes:)
 
Dont worry, it'll take more than a bunch of testes talk to scare me away from here.
What are some of the original names for this shield. I too have seen it on vintage knives but maybe it did get its start with cattlemen? It almost looks royal except the balls at the bottom. "Keyhole" has a ring to it when the ladies come around.
 
Bruce Bump said:
Dont worry, it'll take more than a bunch of testes talk to scare me away from here.
What are some of the original names for this shield. I too have seen it on vintage knives but maybe it did get its start with cattlemen? It almost looks royal except the balls at the bottom. "Keyhole" has a ring to it when the ladies come around.
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..."bollocks!" said the queen. "If I had them I'd be king"...

One of the earliest patterns I've seen it on is an old Eureka Jack. There's an example in Levine's Guide. (Keyhole, Chess Piece, Bollocks are the most common names that I hear for it.)
 
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Bruce Bump said:
I used the Bullock Shield for the first time and got two people enquiring why I chose it. I know it has something to do with a young bull but thats all I got. There must be some history lesson here? What do I tell the young ladies?

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Bruce,I cant tell you much about the shield.but that knife and the feather? damascus is a gemstone of the highest order.The shield in fact does remind me of some knuckleheads we have running around down here.They are usually short guys in huge 4x4 pickups and they have the big fake balls hanging down under the truck.Stupidest looking thing i ever saw.(no offense to short guys or knifers with fake ball sacks under their truck.):D
 
Seals said:
Bruce,I cant tell you much about the shield.but that knife and the feather? damascus is a gemstone of the highest order.The shield in fact does remind me of some knuckleheads we have running around down here.They are usually short guys in huge 4x4 pickups and they have the big fake balls hanging down under the truck.Stupidest looking thing i ever saw.(no offense to short guys or knifers with fake ball sacks under their truck.):D
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:D Thats hilarious! Not much help but funny.:D
 
zerogee said:
I've seen it called a keyhole shield when someone's trying to be polite. :p Once upon a time, bullock knife handles were the thing - from somewhat abstract to rather blatant.
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I've heard it called this & some others,too.
I personally call it the "Stugots" shield
 
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