Chicago World's Fair Henckels

Mike Robuck

Mike Robuck

Joined
Oct 11, 2001
Messages
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Here's a Henckels multiblade from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. It's 2 inches closed. It's in pretty good shape, but the master blade is down a bit. The purse did a good job of protecting the scales with only light wear on the high points. The scales are very detailed and made out of aluminum, which was somewhat of a novelty at the time. The separate "Germany" stamp is consistent with the early 1890s date. The liners are milled.

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That's in incredible condition! Thank you for sharing, Mike! Like Alan said, it's a treasure.
 
Now, that is COOL!

I was in school at UT Knoxville during the 1982 World's Fair and got this about 32 years later.

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That's is an amazing knife, Mike. Thanks for sharing it with us.
 
Mike my friend, now that is a wee beauty for sure, one that you must make sure it has a place in your next book perhaps.
A belated Merry Christmas to you, and a Happy New Year Mike!
 
A beautiful and rare knife for sure.
I heard that in the 1890's aluminum was rare, and used in jewelry.
 
Thanks, I really appreciate all of the nice comments. (And season's greetings to you as well, Duncan.) I started out collecting Henckels knives but I have not bought very many over the past five or six years, and I don't normally buy knives with button hooks.

A friend told me that the first commercial use of mass produced aluminum was around 1888. Kind of hard to think of it as a precious metal these days. :)
 
Mike R A beautiful miniature indeed and it must have extreme rarity factor. The intricacy of construction is in itself interesting but this is made more so when you consider the use of Aluminium scales. The novelty factor of this metal in those days, must've made it a sensation: light as a feather, the precious metal of the future! I suppose it was rare then due to the difficulty of extraction and processing of bauxite ? I find it significant that it shows little tarnish either especially on the relief parts, contemporary aluminium soon goes a leaden colour. How do you think it was made? Wrought/stamped or even cast? The detail work is of remarkable quality, it seems. Having that high quality purse (in nappa or chamois?) is another huge plus and it too is in excellent condition. This is a connoisseur's find, congratulations!:thumbup:

Thanks, Will
 
A treasure Mike, congratulations :thumbup:
 
What a lovely knife! The details on the covers are great. Thanks for sharing it.
 
Thanks Will, Jack and Glennbad. Will, I have no idea how it was made. The spaces in between the designs are textured so that made me wonder if it could have been cast? The pouch is thin chamois and there's an ink spot on one side. Granny's fountain pen must have leaked.

Leghog, very nice popcorn stag on your knife!

I tried to take a few pictures of both sides closed:

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What a wondrous treasure and such a treat to see! Thank you for sharing this historical piece with us, Mike!! Wow!
 
Just want to echo all the responses to your posts, Mike. That's a real treasure you have! 123 years old and looking very good. Thanks for posting it.
 
I'd say simply maintaining the chamois in that condition was well done, the knife itself is just as shiny(it seems) as they day it was bought. Just tremendous.
Thanks, Neal
 
That backspring shot and the coined liners adds to the awe, made by a master.

Regards, Will
 
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