Goins' encyclopedia of cutlery markings

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Pyrian

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Jun 6, 2019
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11
Hi

- I'm totally new here, and not quite sure if I'm even posting in the right section (first experience of any forum!)

I am from the UK and collect mainly vintage/antique Sheffield pocket knives. I am keen to learn as much as I can about their history and am also trying to learn how to date them. I already have a few useful knife books, including The Sheffield Knife Book by Geoffrey Tweedale and his more recent 'Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers.'

My question is: would 'Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings' be any good for me? In other words, does it cover English manufacturers and, if so, will it have information not covered by Tweedale?

The reason I ask is that every source I find for the book is extremely expensive. I'm happy to pay if the book is going to be useful to me, but would obviously not like to just take a blind risk!

Finally, does the 1998 edition have much more content than the 1986 one (especially regarding English knives?)

Any help at all would be much appreciated. And if I have posted in the wrong place, please be gentle and point me in the right direction!

Thank you in anticipation!
 
Many thanks Modoc ED !

I'm from York, England - totally fascinated with old Sheffield knives. Have seen many Jack Black posts when googling to find out about different makers. Is he UK based? Apologies, but not clear on the etiquette of forums. Do I just message him?
 
If you'd pay for a "Basic" membership you could PM (Personal Message) him. How about posting some pictures of your knives - Lambfoot perhaps.
 
Thanks - will definitely have a look at that. Have quite a few Lambfoot knives, amongst others. I had a quick look at how to post pictures and got confused - does it have to be via a photo sharing site?
 
I have 1998 edition of Goins'. If you could name some brands as examples I can tell you if they're in there.
 
Goins is a useful book, but while it covers many Sheffield makers it is mainly U.S. companies.
Rich
 
Welcome to Baldeforums P Pyrian . Sheffield has a long and fascinating history, I can see how you could be taken by the knives.
I am sure Jack will be along to extend his greetings to you shortly, since Modoc ED tagged him in his post. Tagging (Putting "@" in front of anyone's forum name) will send a notification to that person. I am pretty sure that you need at least a Basic membership to send private messages.
Here is a thread that you might enjoy.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/guardians-of-the-lambsfoot.1406735/
It is a thread dedicated wholly to the Lambsfoot knife.

Here is a link that will help with any questions you might have about how to post pictures on the forum. I am sure many here would like to see and hear about your knives.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/how-do-i-post-pictures-from-a.1394713/
 
Thank you both - I have a chance of a 1986 Goins, but the seller has just told me there's hardly any English makers in it.

There are literally thousands of old Sheffield makers - some of the best known are Joseph Rodgers, George Wostenholm, Christopher Johnson, George Ibberson, Thomas Turner... The thing is - a lot is documented about the bigger makers - it's the smaller ones that can become more interesting.

I am very interested in learning more about how I might be able to date them. I acquired an old 'characterful' Camillus knife recently and found a chart on the internet where I could roughly date it using the tang markings. I am interested to know if anyone has tried this at all with Sheffield knives, or if there are other indicators that I don't know about yet that might help me further dating knives. The trouble is that they made the same patterns for years and years (and in some cases, the old patterns are being re-made by companies who have acquired old names) so it can make it hard to date the knives. I thought Goins might be able to help.
 
flatblackcapo said:
Welcome to Baldeforums P Pyrian . Sheffield has a long and fascinating history, I can see how you could be taken by the knives.
I am sure Jack will be along to extend his greetings to you shortly, since Modoc ED tagged him in his post. Tagging (Putting "@" in front of anyone's forum name) will send a notification to that person. I am pretty sure that you need at least a Basic membership to send private messages.
Here is a thread that you might enjoy.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/guardians-of-the-lambsfoot.1406735/
It is a thread dedicated wholly to the Lambsfoot knife.

Here is a link that will help with any questions you might have about how to post pictures on the forum. I am sure many here would like to see and hear about your knives.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/how-do-i-post-pictures-from-a.1394713/
Click to expand...


Many thanks for those links! I have already tentatively ventured into the Guardians of the Lambsfoot thread as a spectator - I don't tend to have that much time available but would love to get involved. I have quite a few knives but most are still awaiting cleaning before I'd dare show them! I prowl the local car boot fairs and markets on a regular basis looking for interesting finds - knives not always in the best condition, sometimes bought on interest alone. It's the history I am most interested in having grown up with the history of Sheffield and it's steel.
 
Goins is a must have book and should be in the hands of every knife collector.
There is a fantastic thread titled "Made in Sheffield, 1830 - 1930, A Golden Age".
And Jack Black has posted several wonderful threads on Sheffield related topics including "Visiting Arthur Wright & Sons".
You can find these threads by using the "Search Forums" icon at the top. Include "Search Titles" and "Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades" when searching.
 
Pyrian said:
Many thanks for those links! I have already tentatively ventured into the Guardians of the Lambsfoot thread as a spectator - I don't tend to have that much time available but would love to get involved. I have quite a few knives but most are still awaiting cleaning before I'd dare show them! I prowl the local car boot fairs and markets on a regular basis looking for interesting finds - knives not always in the best condition, sometimes bought on interest alone. It's the history I am most interested in having grown up with the history of Sheffield and it's steel.
Click to expand...

You are most welcome. Jack and his Guardians thread is responsible for educating many of us on the Lambsfoot pattern and Sheffield knives in general.
No need to clean those knives up too much. In fact, I would say that most of us prefer old knifes with the "character" left on. The most I would do is give them a good scrub in warm soapy water with a old toothbrush, dry thoroughly and apply couple drops of oil to the joints.
 
Pyrian said:
Many thanks for those links! I have already tentatively ventured into the Guardians of the Lambsfoot thread as a spectator - I don't tend to have that much time available but would love to get involved. I have quite a few knives but most are still awaiting cleaning before I'd dare show them! I prowl the local car boot fairs and markets on a regular basis looking for interesting finds - knives not always in the best condition, sometimes bought on interest alone. It's the history I am most interested in having grown up with the history of Sheffield and it's steel.
Click to expand...

Don't be in a hurry to clean all your knives. Dirt, corrosion, etc. can lend not only character but value to a knife. By all means, wipe em down with an oily rag - just don't over do it.
 
herder said:
Goins is a must have book and should be in the hands of every knife collector.
There is a fantastic thread titled "Made in Sheffield, 1830 - 1930, A Golden Age".
And Jack Black has posted several wonderful threads on Sheffield related topics including "Visiting Arthur Wright & Sons".
You can find these threads by using the "Search Forums" icon at the top. Include "Search Titles" and "Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades" when searching.
Click to expand...

Many thanks - will look them up!
 
Pyrian said:
Thank you both - I have a chance of a 1986 Goins, but the seller has just told me there's hardly any English makers in it.

There are literally thousands of old Sheffield makers - some of the best known are Joseph Rodgers, George Wostenholm, Christopher Johnson, George Ibberson, Thomas Turner... The thing is - a lot is documented about the bigger makers - it's the smaller ones that can become more interesting.

I am very interested in learning more about how I might be able to date them. I acquired an old 'characterful' Camillus knife recently and found a chart on the internet where I could roughly date it using the tang markings. I am interested to know if anyone has tried this at all with Sheffield knives, or if there are other indicators that I don't know about yet that might help me further dating knives. The trouble is that they made the same patterns for years and years (and in some cases, the old patterns are being re-made by companies who have acquired old names) so it can make it hard to date the knives. I thought Goins might be able to help.
Click to expand...
All of the makers in bold text are in the Goins' book.
 
flatblackcapo said:
You are most welcome. Jack and his Guardians thread is responsible for educating many of us on the Lambsfoot pattern and Sheffield knives in general.
No need to clean those knives up too much. In fact, I would say that most of us prefer old knifes with the "character" left on. The most I would do is give them a good scrub in warm soapy water with a old toothbrush, dry thoroughly and apply couple drops of oil to the joints.
Click to expand...

Thank you and Modoc ED Modoc ED & flatblackcapo flatblackcapo - I much prefer them to keep the character - have found an excellent 'soap' developed for Museum use that is really good as it can be used with White Spirit or water - Vulpex Liquid Soap by the same firm as Renaissance Wax. It's very smelly & strips all the oils from your hands - but I found it really good for cleaning without damage. Quite expensive though but a little goes a long way. Some of the knives I get look like they've been left out in a farmyard for years but can clean up really well with patience. That's why there's still so many waiting for attention...
 
Railsplitter said:
All of the makers in bold text are in the Goins' book.
Click to expand...

Thank you Railsplitter Railsplitter - do you know if there's a big difference between the 1986 and 1998 versions re: inclusion of Sheffield makers? I ask because the only copy I've found in the UK is a 1986 version, and the seller told me he couldn't find any English makers in it.
 
Pyrian said:
Thank you Railsplitter Railsplitter - do you know if there's a big difference between the 1986 and 1998 versions re: inclusion of Sheffield makers? I ask because the only copy I've found in the UK is a 1986 version, and the seller told me he couldn't find any English makers in it.
Click to expand...
I'm afraid I don't know. The only edition I have is the 1998 edition.
 
Welcome to The Porch P Pyrian , (that's how we regulars refer to the Traditional Forum because of its friendly nature), and thanks for thinking of me gents :) I am a Sheffielder Pyrian, but have lived in Leeds for the best part of 20 years now. The more you read, the more you learn, but in terms of Sheffield knives, I think you are very well-served by Geoff Tweedale's books :) Hope to see more of you around :thumbsup:
 
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