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- Mar 28, 2015
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Set off earlier this week on what I'm guessing will be the last of our day trips this summer. Our destination was the historic town of Lewes in East Sussex. Apart from its castle and the river Ouse which runs through it, the town offers much of interest to the history loving day tripper, including a plethora of ancient shops around which to browse. Amongst these I was pleased to find a fishing tackle shop next to another selling goods for the 'Great Outdoors', but apart from a range of mostly modern looking Opinels and a host of 'tactical' folders found nothing much of interest. Following my partner into a few of the many antique shops scattered thereabouts, I eventually came across a couple of cabinets displaying a few penknives. One contained a very clean looking Richards scout knife which, though not that unusual, was well priced at £5.00. As the shop owner lifted it out my eye was immediately drawn by what lay virtually unseen beneath it. To my delight I found it to be a lovely George Wostenholm Penknife (c.1940) in amazingly good condition with French/faux ivory scales and a lovely patina to the otherwise immaculate carbon steel blades. Following a small amount of friendly haggling with the decidedly congenial owner an incredible price of £6.00, a fraction of the price of the modern knives I'd seen earlier, was agreed upon and I left the shop not quite believing my luck.
Untitled by Blake Blade
I've pictured the knife here against a small Rough Rider stockman to give an idea of its size. The knife has great walk and talk, as you'd expect, and is a nice comfortable size to use. its single spring construction makes it nice and slim in the hand and the pocket. It coped admirably the following day when I christened it, having given it a nice edge, on a rainbow trout I'd got for my lunch. I doubt whether the knife had ever been sharpened prior to this.
, on Flickr
Untitled by Blake Blade, on Flickr
Untitled by Blake Blade, on Flickr
Untitled by Blake Blade, on Flickr
Untitled by Blake Blade, on Flickrurl
Untitled bBlake Blade, on Flickr
Untitled by Blake Blade, on Flickr
Untitled by Blake Blade, on Flickr
My initial research into the Wostenholm name has revealed a maker of some considerable fame and notoriety: Jim Bowie is said to have ordered knives for both himself and his friends from the cutler and is rumoured to have been carrying one when he met his fate at the Alamo. Beyond this I know very little and would be very interested to find out more. I would be particularly interested to see some more examples of his knives, so please show them if you have any. Many thanks.
- Mark
Untitled by Blake BladeI've pictured the knife here against a small Rough Rider stockman to give an idea of its size. The knife has great walk and talk, as you'd expect, and is a nice comfortable size to use. its single spring construction makes it nice and slim in the hand and the pocket. It coped admirably the following day when I christened it, having given it a nice edge, on a rainbow trout I'd got for my lunch. I doubt whether the knife had ever been sharpened prior to this.
, on Flickr
Untitled by Blake Blade, on FlickrUntitled by Blake Blade, on FlickrUntitled by Blake Blade, on FlickrUntitled by Blake Blade, on FlickrurlUntitled bBlake Blade, on FlickrUntitled by Blake Blade, on FlickrUntitled by Blake Blade, on FlickrMy initial research into the Wostenholm name has revealed a maker of some considerable fame and notoriety: Jim Bowie is said to have ordered knives for both himself and his friends from the cutler and is rumoured to have been carrying one when he met his fate at the Alamo. Beyond this I know very little and would be very interested to find out more. I would be particularly interested to see some more examples of his knives, so please show them if you have any. Many thanks.
- Mark
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