Australian traditional

Looking for a pic of a Rodgers Bunny Knife to post, I notice that they're still being sold by at least one Austalian knife dealer, but they differ slightly from the old ones, the 'bunny' part appears in this case just to refer to the clip blade, and several patterns are available. I know that the Australian market is still important to Rodgers and they produce several patterns for that market, the Australian Stockman for example, and it seems several 'bunny' patterns (I also see a Barlow Lambsfoot!!).

The Bunny does seem to be a very popular traditional pattern in Australia.

Also seems that the rabbito is still going about his business!

The original Rodgers Bunny Knife looked like this (blade etches vary, and nicks were used instead of pulls, as well as the shape of the clip varying):



(image taken from the internet)
 
Also came across this on the now defunct Australian cutler mentioned above:

Gregsteel is the popular trademark used by Gregory Steel Products Pty Ltd of Melbourne, the famous Australian manufacturer of cutlery for more than 6 decades. Jim Gregory began the business in 1912 which petered out of existence in the mid 1970’s. During the 1950’s Gregory Steel Products was the largest manufacturer of cutlery products in the Southern Hemisphere. Prior to that they were Australia’s biggest producer of military bladeware (not including bayonets) for Australian and American defence forces serving in Asia and the Pacific Ocean in World war Two.

Often taken for granted was Gregory’s wide range of mass-produced, good quality kitchen knives and trade knives that were used more or less on a daily basis. Admittedly, not as aesthetically exciting as most military and recreational type knives, but nonetheless just as useful when you need the right tool for the right job. In fact, Gregory Steel also supplied thousands of kitchen and trade knives (also tableware) for the war effort bearing the D(broad arrow)D Australian Defence Force (ADF) mark.

The name is now registered to an Australian dealer who are having knives made up in Sheffield.
 
I thought everyone walked around like Paul Hogan ;) down 'ere?

Some neat knives being shared, regardless of point of origin. I was lucky enough several years ago to listen to a gentleman from Australia, an aborigine, play the didgeridoo. Really really neat. I was going to ask him what knife he carried, but I didn't want to come off as an a**.

Dead serious :o...
 
Jack Black said:
Looking for a pic of a Rodgers Bunny Knife to post, I notice that they're still being sold by at least one Austalian knife dealer, but they differ slightly from the old ones, the 'bunny' part appears in this case just to refer to the clip blade, and several patterns are available. I know that the Australian market is still important to Rodgers and they produce several patterns for that market, the Australian Stockman for example, and it seems several 'bunny' patterns (I also see a Barlow Lambsfoot!!).

The Bunny does seem to be a very popular traditional pattern in Australia.

Also seems that the rabbito is still going about his business!

The original Rodgers Bunny Knife looked like this (blade etches vary, and nicks were used instead of pulls, as well as the shape of the clip varying):



(image taken from the internet)
Click to expand...

That's a really unusual clip blade, having so much belly hanging so low like that. I like it though!
 
Here is a pic of the Gregsteel reproductions

The owner of the trademark couldn't find an Australian capable of making them.

Thank you for the pic of that Rodgers Bunny Knife, by the way.
 
NoNameNomad said:
That's a really unusual clip blade, having so much belly hanging so low like that. I like it though!
Click to expand...

It's not mine I'm afraid. It's the only half-decent image I could find on the net, but a slightly atypical example I think. I had my grandfather's, but not anymore I'm afraid. It was a relatively common pattern, so I'm hoping I'll come across one on my travels :)

mtangent said:
Here is a pic of the Gregsteel reproductions

The owner of the trademark couldn't find an Australian capable of making them.

Thank you for the pic of that Rodgers Bunny Knife, by the way.
Click to expand...

Nice to see them being made again, even in Sheffield rather than Australia, where perhaps they'll be made again one day :thumbup:
 
That Rodgers Bunny Knife would suit me, with some mods....

Make it single-blade and slightly enlarge the bolster, really good Swell-End there.
 
willgoy said:
That Rodgers Bunny Knife would suit me, with some mods....

Make it single-blade and slightly enlarge the bolster, really good Swell-End there.
Click to expand...

The firm who acquired the Rodgers mark still sell several similiar knives. Quality isn't always the best though unfortunately
 
It's funny that you guys bring up the bunny knives, as only a few days ago I was showing my clip/pen 'Charlow' to someone at work (I work in a vineyard) and he said it was just like the old rabbit knives he remembers from years ago.

As to workers carrying knives, nowadays they're usually cheapo boxcutters but the 2 people I know of at work carrying knives, the guy that commented on my barlow carries a leatherman fuse, and the other has a small gerber framelock. The main worker in the vineyard does have a large machete though, for places he can't get the tractor in to cut the vines.

As I am only 19, I can't say much as to history but I do occasionally visit my local antique store, and have seen quite a few different patterns. I have seen barlow's, lambsfoots, mercators, and a whole lot of cheap Richards-sheffield knives. Unfortunately almost all examples are WAY overpriced, and in terrible condition... :( I'm waiting for the day I find a good old lambsfoot. At least we did have them at over here, and the few examples I've seen were mostly from the turn of the 20th century.
 
The main worker in the vineyard does have a large machete though, for places he can't get the tractor in to cut the vines.
Click to expand...

A vineyard you say? In Australia?

I love Aussie wines! In fact I've had airline 'issues' on account of my return luggage being loaded with bottles. :D
My favorite wine region is Mudgee, some of the best red wines I've ever had. :thumbup:
 
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