- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Messages
- 71,133
Its that time again! It only seems like a couple of weeks since I last cleared all my recent finds off the kitchen table - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1256044-Sweeping-The-Kitchen-Table (actually I just noticed that big carving knife has appeared TWICE!
) Ive actually given a few things away already which would otherwise be in this pile. Time to do some fettling (as they say round these parts)! 
Typically, while the weather was quite awful when I was out yesterday, today the sun is so low in the sky and glaringly bright, its hard just to stay in the house, let alone take photographs :grumpy:
The Letter-opener Knife is made in Sheffield, but the leather sheath is embossed with advertising for a long-establlshed West Yorkshire company, which disappeared decades ago. Charles Hirst began drawing wire with his then partner, Joah Clayton, in 1863. Charles Hirst & Sons was incorporated as a limited company in 1898, and the company existed until 1971, when it was acquired by British Ropes Ltd, which in turn became part of Bridon Wire in 1974. In the early days of WWII the Luftwaffe published a series of booklets to help their pilots identify strategic targets in Britain: the North Midlands booklet included an aerial photograph of the Hirst factory as target N⁰ 71.
I thought this was a nice little set, advertising another local company, which were once big news! The Sheffield-made penknife doesnt appear to have been used. Sadly, the rear of the case was damaged by the price sticker the market trader who sold it to me applied.
This foreign-made Lobster advertises a Lincolnshire engineering company, established in the early 1970s.
Much nicer is this TEW Penknife advertising Hallite, a leading manufacturer of seals.
An older Taylors is this one, 2 ¾ closed.
John Turton & Company made this attractive little MOP Fruit Knife. Unfortunately, it has a really big gap between the spring and the liner, which is so bad Im struggling to close it. Hoping I can peen it without damaging the delicate MOP.
Its a real shame about this small William Rodgers Penknife, wouldve been a nice knife once
Heres a miniature Richards folder, the sort of novelty knives kids in Britain in the 50's and 60's used to take home for granny after a trip to the seaside.
Last week a market trader apologetically handed me three knives, which he just wanted a couple of Pounds (£) for. They looked pretty rotten, but since Id like the guy to keep looking out for knives for me, I handed over the small change and put them in my pocket.
When I had a look at the three knives, the first one was made by CK, and while Im reluctant to give up on any knife, I really dont think its worth cleaning up.
The second knife was this Richards 4-blade Scout Knife.
The third knife hadnt looked much, but its actually a Joseph Elliot with ivory covers. It needs some peening and a bit more cleaning up, but worth a couple of quid I think
This is another Richards 4 blade Scout Knife, but unlike the one above, it isnt a clamshell. Looks like its been someones faithful companion.
Another Richards is this Sleeveboard. Tartan was always popular on this style of knife.
I spotted this early Victorian table knife on a market stall, and think it is quite interesting (note the puddle weld on the pile side). Cleaning a century or so of hardened muck out from underneath the scales is taking me an inordinately long amount of time though! The stamp is nice and clean carrying the name of the company and the initials of Victoria Regina (reigned 1837-1901). Butlers went back to the 18th century, but only became George Butler & Company in the 19th century. The ART mark on the knife was acquired in 1861, and Butlers acquired the key mark, which is perhaps better known, in about 1882. Trinity Works was used by the company at two locations, in the early 19th century (by 1816), and after they moved to larger premises in 1864. In 1883, they became a limited company. Butlers was liquidated in 1952.
I saw a beautiful old Vendetta Corsa in an antique centre a year or so ago, but balked at the price. Afterwards, I regretted not buying it, such a beautiful knife in my eyes. I came across this one in an antiques shop the other day, it also had a high price, even though it was advertised as an Italian Fruit Knife, but I snapped it up anyway. Its only 3 ¼ inches, but I think its quite nice. The blade is etched Vendetta Corsa on the mark side, and Morte al Nemico (Death to enemies) on the reverse. Those Corsicans do hold a grudge!
This Saynor Pruner was also from an antique shop, it just needs a sharpen
British Army Clasp Knives usually come with some hard use. Not this Sheffield Steel Products 2 blade model made in 1944 though :thumbup:
I got a few Rough Rider knives the other week, usually I just pass them onto friends and acquaintances. I only have these two left, but its certainly hard to fault them for what they cost (and they cost about twice as much in Europe as they do in the US).
The scissors were made by Sheffield Cutlery Co-operative/Unity Cutlery, a company originally formed by three trade union branches in 1866. The company existed until the 1960s.
Im afraid that I need a rest now! Ill try to clean and photograph my other finds tomorrow!
Jack
Edit - More finds at Post 36
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