Ever Want To Sit Down And Have A Chat With An Old Knife...

ptradeco

ptradeco

Joined
May 26, 2010
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Have you ever acquired an old knife that had a lot of character? Maybe made you feel a certain way or think about things. A knife that you wish you could sit down and have a beer with? I have a few of those but this old fella really speaks to me. Yes, he has some age, but is still big and strong and could go out and do a days work if he had to. I would like to hear about his birth, the man who made him, his youth, what kind of man owned him and how he was used, and in some cases abused. How did he spend his later years, just retired eventually or maybe passed along to another, or maybe several others? What kind of adventures did he participate in?

Knives played a much bigger role at one time, much like some of our older generations, if only they could talk, if only if we would listen! I did sit down and have that chat with this knife the other night reminiscing about my Father and Grandfather. This old knife helped make the memories crystal clear for a couple of hours.

Have an old knife that you wish could talk and part some of its' wisdom, please share.


4 1/4" Double End Jack

NYKC - Walden: As the Hammer Brand trademark was adopted in 1878 I assume this fellow was born sometime between 1856-1878. Please correct my history if in error. I have not studied this brand to any great extent.

Jigged Bone - Worn almost completely smooth.

Threaded Bolsters

1/2 Stops

Both Blades Tang Stamped - NEW YORK over KNIFE CO over WALDEN

Clip Main - As tight and lively of spring as most any new knife. Notice the swage at the junction with the long pull. Made that way?

Spear Secondary - Some abuse here with the broken point and chips along the edge. It has some wiggle and the spring has weakened.


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That is an old Beauty Brad, still a very good looking knife - just imagine if we were standing around ...say a table having a beer ( which would be great one day Jake ) and an older chap was to sit down and pull out that very knife to cut a sausage etc...I am sure we would all stop talking and turn out attention his way!
I always say ...to myself( well ok - to the knife under my breath wow look at you - you sweetheart of a knife )


I think I will change my name to " knife whisperer" - yeah
 
There's absolutely nothing as fascinating as an old old knife. One that has only the ghostly outline of it's jigging in the bone, that certain gray patina that only many years can lay on a blade. One old enough that it's gone through one whoe life of an owner, maybe even two. It's even bettter if it's a non tactical tactical knife. One that has accompanied it's owner in harms way, but still just looks like an old knife, nothing special. It's a shame that these old knives can't speak and tell us where they've been, and who with. But we can hold them, and make some good guesses, and think about it. And we can still wonder that this old knife lived a whole life with someone, did uncounted jobs, and was a close companion for many many years.

Old knives are a joy to behold.

Carl.
 
Talking to knives isn't weird, it only gets weird when they start talking back. Just kidding. I swear I heard this one say "Thank you" when I took it home from the antique shop it had been sitting in not being used for who knows how many years.
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Campbellclanman said:
That is an old Beauty Brad, still a very good looking knife - just imagine if we were standing around ...say a table having a beer ( which would be great one day Jake ) and an older chap was to sit down and pull out that very knife to cut a sausage etc...I am sure we would all stop talking and turn out attention his way!
I always say ...to myself( well ok - to the knife under my breath wow look at you - you sweetheart of a knife )


I think I will change my name to " knife whisperer" - yeah
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Duncan, a very special little box showed up on my doorstep today that is going to be the home for this knife.:) More to follow.....Oh yeah, by the way, you're aces my friend:D
 
Lately, I've been really appreciating old knives. I picked up some at flea markets, yard sales, etc. None as old as yours, but well used. More than one have pen blades sharpened down until they resemble x-acto knives. I love carrying and using them, and find some of those worn blades to be a very useful shape. I try not to talk to them out loud too much. My friends mock me enough as it is.
 
I totally understand what you're talking about Brad! There's really not to much better than finding that old knife pattern you've been looking for! Jigged bone has that lovely pocket worn look, It
just looks and feels warm for some reason. Nice old wood that looks better with age! The blades have a nice dark, rich patina from years of hard work, Nice full blades because it was sharpened by
somebody who used and loved the old knife daily, but took care of his faithful tool. Open and close the old knife and here that smooth hard snap and makes you think how does it still do that? How many times was it opened and closed in it's life time? Use it and enjoy it because it was made by folks who took pride in the things they made. It's amazing...imho. Old slip joints are the best, and so are the folks that enjoy them like all of us.

Jason

NYKCo "Hammer Brand" Dogleg


4-Line Camillus "Coke Bottle" Jack
 
I have my father in law's Camillus stockman. In terrible shape, but he carried it forever; it was his last pocketknife and he had it for a lot of years. It has cell covers that have practically disintegrated and severe wear in the main blade joint and other places. I keep it in a special place on my dresser. I'd love to know where all that knife has been and what all it has done over the years. It certainly has no collector value but it does have a huge amount of sentimental value.

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Ed J
 
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