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In early October, Jack Black was displaying some of his antique mall finds, and many of us were pointing out some of our favorites. I posted:
Jack replied with his characteristic generosity:
Saturnalia was a Roman festival of "excessive joy and merriment" that was originally celebrated on December 17, but was so popular that it eventually stretched out to a week-long celebration that included the winter solstice. Later, Christians co-opted the festival to turn it into a celebration of Jesus' birth.
The other side of the knife Jack sent me shows the name of the company that the knife advertises.
Some internet research revealed very interesting facts about Scandinavia Belting. The company was founded as W. Wilson Cobbett Ltd. in Scotland in 1879. Its main product was solid woven belting (including "hair belting") used for power transmission and mechanical conveyance in industries such as mining. The company moved its factory to Yorkshire in 1901. From 1911 to 1925, the company was called Scandinavia Belting. Subsequent names included British Belting and Asbestos, BBA Group (1967), and BBA Aviation in 2007.
An interesting coincidence: Jack from Yorkshire sent the ring-opener to me in Michigan, while the Yorkshire company sent large quantities of belting to Henry Ford in Michigan to be used as transmission linings in Ford's Model T starting in 1908 and continuing at least until WWI.
Here's a photo of the knife with blades partially deployed, along with a wonderful 1903 British penny:
The knife was made by John Watts Cutlery in Sheffield, as can be seen in this shot of the tang stamp. (The background is an interesting postcard Jack included.)
Here's what Jack told me about that company:
"John Watts had a somewhat convoluted history - not unusual among Sheffield cutlery manufacturers - The company claimed to have been established in 1765 by a clog-clasp and dog-collar maker by the name of Michael Shaw. John Watts didn't come along until 1853 though. In 1881, at the Lambert Street works shown in the photograph, he employed only two men and eight women. He died in 1895. His son, John Robert Watts then took over, and considerably expanded the business. They produced pen and pocket knives, razors, graining combs, skates, clasps, stamps, and piercers. In the 1890's, Watts marketed a safety razor (before Gillette, but based on an American design). Watts also patented a cyclist's knife, scissors and razor sharpeners, and a trouser press. Gadget knives were a speciality. In 1929, Watts became a limited company, and acquired other Sheffield premises. John R Watts died in 1939. The company remained in business until as late as 1999. Their old factory is now apartments."
I'll close with a challenging quiz! Here's a pic of another item Jack included in his package; he called it a "button spanner". Any idea what it is? (Jack had to tell me!)
Thanks a million, Jack! My first ring-opener, and it opened a world of interesting research for me, too!
- GT
Here's a photo of the knife that inspired my comment:...Very interesting knives and an informative thread!
My favorites are the MOP pen knife and the ring opener. Any idea about to what the "writing" on the ring opener refers? I like the idea of a knife encouraging a celebration like Saturnalia, especially since my birthday falls during that ancient festival!
- GT
Jack replied with his characteristic generosity:
Well, that was an offer I couldn't refuse, and Jack sent me the ring-opener (and so much more) soon thereafter. I thanked Jack for his marvelous gift, but I've "kept it under wraps" until now because I wanted to post about it during Saturnalia.Thanks GT. I'm assuming the ring-opener is an advertising knife for a firm producing drive-belts. PM me an address my friend and it's an early birthday present:thumbup:
...
Saturnalia was a Roman festival of "excessive joy and merriment" that was originally celebrated on December 17, but was so popular that it eventually stretched out to a week-long celebration that included the winter solstice. Later, Christians co-opted the festival to turn it into a celebration of Jesus' birth.
The other side of the knife Jack sent me shows the name of the company that the knife advertises.
Some internet research revealed very interesting facts about Scandinavia Belting. The company was founded as W. Wilson Cobbett Ltd. in Scotland in 1879. Its main product was solid woven belting (including "hair belting") used for power transmission and mechanical conveyance in industries such as mining. The company moved its factory to Yorkshire in 1901. From 1911 to 1925, the company was called Scandinavia Belting. Subsequent names included British Belting and Asbestos, BBA Group (1967), and BBA Aviation in 2007.
An interesting coincidence: Jack from Yorkshire sent the ring-opener to me in Michigan, while the Yorkshire company sent large quantities of belting to Henry Ford in Michigan to be used as transmission linings in Ford's Model T starting in 1908 and continuing at least until WWI.
Here's a photo of the knife with blades partially deployed, along with a wonderful 1903 British penny:
The knife was made by John Watts Cutlery in Sheffield, as can be seen in this shot of the tang stamp. (The background is an interesting postcard Jack included.)
Here's what Jack told me about that company:
"John Watts had a somewhat convoluted history - not unusual among Sheffield cutlery manufacturers - The company claimed to have been established in 1765 by a clog-clasp and dog-collar maker by the name of Michael Shaw. John Watts didn't come along until 1853 though. In 1881, at the Lambert Street works shown in the photograph, he employed only two men and eight women. He died in 1895. His son, John Robert Watts then took over, and considerably expanded the business. They produced pen and pocket knives, razors, graining combs, skates, clasps, stamps, and piercers. In the 1890's, Watts marketed a safety razor (before Gillette, but based on an American design). Watts also patented a cyclist's knife, scissors and razor sharpeners, and a trouser press. Gadget knives were a speciality. In 1929, Watts became a limited company, and acquired other Sheffield premises. John R Watts died in 1939. The company remained in business until as late as 1999. Their old factory is now apartments."
I'll close with a challenging quiz! Here's a pic of another item Jack included in his package; he called it a "button spanner". Any idea what it is? (Jack had to tell me!)
Thanks a million, Jack! My first ring-opener, and it opened a world of interesting research for me, too!
- GT
