Florist, Pruning and Grafting Knives

This little pick-bone handled Robeson is only 3 3/8" long, including the bone spud.

Except for the fact that gardeners and orchard workers tended to soil their hands and break their nails, I cannot explain the nail file/cleaner secondary blade.



I got this knife many years ago from the late Joe Seale, who had a knack for finding the unusual. He just sent me the knife right after he got it and dared me to send it back.

I could not.
 
I have several similar knives, in different brands Charlie, but none with a manicure blade!!
Nice, and, unusual!!:thumbsup:
RIP, Joe Seale. We did a lot of business over the years. Great guy; I miss him at the Oregon show!!:(
 
Over the years, Mr. Seale handled some of the most beautiful, authentic, vintage American pocketknives I have ever seen.

Great guy and true gentleman.

I miss him, too.
 
CNoyes said:
This little pick-bone handled Robeson is only 3 3/8" long, including the bone spud.

Except for the fact that gardeners and orchard workers tended to soil their hands and break their nails, I cannot explain the nail file/cleaner secondary blade.



I got this knife many years ago from the late Joe Seale, who had a knack for finding the unusual. He just sent me the knife right after he got it and dared me to send it back.

I could not.
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A very interesting specimen indeed ! Joe sounds like a man I would have liked to meet. Thanks for sharing, Charlie :):thumbsup:
 
Will Power said:
Thanks, maybe the Forum Knife will look like this in a century's time? ;)

Everything about this Ulster impresses, from the overall condition, to the Stag and its very dimensions. Grooved parallel Stag like that is particularly noteworthy, it becomes benign with age by taking on an almost buttery hue. I infer that this is a result of prolonged use, handling but also exposure to daylight, some other older Stag stays more blackened and I think it might be conversely because of prolonged non use and being left in a drawer for decades. You can see the English influence at work on this American example: high quality material & finish, the selection of Antler, butt plate, wraparound spring and the very small Rat-Tail bolster. The latter is a piece of aesthetic mastery. Really grand knife to be in anybody's collection.

Thanks, Will
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I concur completely Will... Dwight Divine was an entrepreneur and owned many successful businesses but as far as business goes... his knife business was losing money yearly but he did not care. He employed extremely skillful cutlers from Sheffield and made quality knives the same way they did in Sheffield, regardless of cost. He was too stubborn to create an inferior knife and that is why I bought this pruner, it is proof to me about Mr Divine's sentiment for quality knives. I also think it is a very early Ulster model for some of the reasons you stated along with the integral bolsters.

Below are some "snippets" from an article that Bernard Levine wrote many years ago. The article goes on to tell of how Albert Baer took over operations and eventually bought Ulster Knife Co and completely revamped how they manufactured knives in order to be competitive... of course the quality was never the same.

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veitsi_poika said:
I concur completely Will... Dwight Divine was an entrepreneur and owned many successful businesses but as far as business goes... his knife business was losing money yearly but he did not care. He employed extremely skillful cutlers from Sheffield and made quality knives the same way they did in Sheffield, regardless of cost. He was too stubborn to create an inferior knife and that is why I bought this pruner, it is proof to me about Mr Divine's sentiment for quality knives. I also think it is a very early Ulster model for some of the reasons you stated along with the integral bolsters.

Below are some "snippets" from an article that Bernard Levine wrote many years ago. The article goes on to tell of how Albert Baer took over operations and eventually bought Ulster Knife Co and completely revamped how they manufactured knives in order to be competitive... of course the quality was never the same.

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Great post as usual, Kevin !!:):)
 
I think Joe Seale, from Austin, Texas, had to be one of the very early knife dealers. He sent out "Knife Lists" with descriptions, Xerox illustrations and prices.

He sold some great knives.

If he sent three Lists and you didn't buy anything, he wouldn't send out another List until you called and asked. The Lists were free, but he would go to the trouble and expense if you weren't buying.

He'd put you back on the mailing list, but three Lists later, you were off again if you'd made no purchase.

Always had great knives.

He went through a group of mint Remington Norfolk whittlers once. I have no idea where he got them. Must have had a half dozen. Same pattern, but various handles.

He also wrote some great articles for KnifeWorld Magazine and pretty much always introduced the knife or knives by talking about one or more of his old cattle ranching uncles.
 
My latest Case Pruning knife.

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That looks like a full-bladed example, Jeff!! Nice!!:thumbsup:

Here I have another knife picked from the inexpensive pile!! Tina makes well-made working knives,
It's is a "wee" one,sturdy with long, heavy liners to support the blade.
At 3 1/2" with a left-handed pull, a flat-one-side grind (typical - easier to see what you are cutting, and where!) and a folding Ivory spud!
Intended for more delicate budding and grafting, it's a fine knife!!
Fit and finish are excellent!!:thumbsup:
Tiny TINA 1.jpg Tiny TINA 2.jpg Tiny TINA 3.jpg
 
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