If Old Knives Could Talk (Traditionals Only)

[r8shell]

This one is from back when most people only owned one pocket knife at a time, and didn't replace it until it couldn't do its job anymore. I sharpened it, but didn't want to grind any more metal away to reshape the blade. Still walks, talks, and slices like a champ.

 

[hsherzfeld]

I have a couple of knives that belonged to one of my great grandfathers. He was sheriff of Washington County in Oklahoma in the early 20th century. I suspect that the Ulster 98's clip blade was broken at some point; what remains is only as long as the sheepsfoot blade and there is evidence rather crude grinding at the new "tip". I can't even tell if the other blade was a spey or a pen blade; it's so worn down that it looks more like a punch/awl.

 

[Daddyo16]

These were part of my dad's collection - a Sharp USA 380 and a Parker-Frost "Tennessee Volunteers" with an etching on the blade. The Parker took a keen edge; the Sharp required a little more work, but I was able get them both to shave hair. Neither knife looks like it was used much, and I don't have any idea how old they are nor how he acquired either of them.

 

[birdsbeaks]

Some oldies:

C. Johnson Western Works (date unknown)

Case Eisenhower ('64-'69)

Voos (date unknown)

Otter (date unknown)

 

[holo07]

I haven’t had them long but they are old, really enjoy carrying. I often think of the different knife in my pocket and wish it could share its life, prior to me owning it.

 

[black mamba]

Here's another 85+ year old Robeson in celluloid, which KnifeHead called Mother of Bowling Ball.

 

[KentuckyBlackBird]

Some oldies:

C. Johnson Western Works (date unknown)

Case Eisenhower ('64-'69)

Voos (date unknown)

Otter (date unknown)

Love that Voos

 

[lithicus]

I don't think I've posted this one here before. And, there's a bit of a sentimental story behind it.

When I was very young, my cousin (15 years my elder) was everything in my life. He was in the Air Force and took my younger brother and I everywhere. Playgrounds, zoos, you name it. He even took me on his dates! Apparently, if I didn't like the girl then she didn't pass "the test". And, I was often suspected of being his and his date's child, which I'm sure was amusing!

Anyway, he passed away at the age of 22 in a freak accident. Hit by a car crossing the road in England. I was 7 at the time. He collected knives and this was one of them. I must say, he had great taste. It was clearly older than him when he got it. But, it is in great condition all things considered. Cleaned up nice. Takes a wicked edge. Walk and talk is fantastic on all blades. Each blade is stamped. From what I can tell, it is a Hartford Cutlery Co from Duluth Minn. I believe this would date it between 1914-1939. 4 inch stockman, one of my favorite patterns. Even has a long match strike pull, which is my preference. Beautiful swedges.

Unfortunately, both he and I were too young when he passed. I never got to see him use it. But, every time I pull it out of my pocket, every time I sharpen it, I wonder what he might've used it for. If he ever thought I'd be carrying it to this day thinking of him. If only old knives could talk...

 

[echoscout]

Meet "Spike"

 

[SteveC]

This old Utica could tell some stories. One about the time it got a little close to a bare wire

 

[echoscout]

Ulster Barlow that been around the horn a time or two

 

[echoscout]

Well traveled George Furness Barlow

 

[Oldy]

I think if a lot of older knives could talk they would scream for a proper sharpening stone and to throw away the rocks,grinders and files.

 

[DaleS]

I think if a lot of older knives could talk they would scream for a proper sharpening stone and to throw away the rocks,grinders and files.

So true.

 

[birdsbeaks]

I think if a lot of older knives could talk they would scream for a proper sharpening stone and to throw away the rocks,grinders and files.

Somebody left some old file marks on my old C. Johnson lamb but I kinda like 'em. If they were recent file marks, I wouldn't like them as much

 

[Murphy Slaw]

But, every time I pull it out of my pocket, every time I sharpen it, I wonder what he might've used it for. If he ever thought I'd be carrying it to this day

This is what makes a knife an eternal gift.

I love to gift a knife to a real friend.

 

[hsherzfeld]

I suspect that a lot of old-timers didn’t actually know how to sharpen a knife.

 

[chevyrulez1]

Here is an old Craftsman given to me as a gift from a coworker and friend back in the 90's. I carried it every day at work, and most of the blade removal is due to my undeveloped sharpening skills and an over aggressive stone on the knife sharpener in the Maintenance Shop

 

[black mamba]

Here is another Robeson that is approximately 70 years old, but shows no signs of ignorant or abusive use. I bought this in the condition shown, and it is still tight, with a nicely sharpened bevel on all blades. The original and/or previous owners of this one knew what they were doing!

 

[Will Power]

If a knife could talk I'd myself However, this one might be able to relate a tale or two over a long work life and not a little travel. No idea when it left the Camillus factory in the US but estimate c.1935-55 ? Somehow or other it got to NZ then Duncan Campbellclanman sent it to me many years ago as a kind present when we exchanged stuff or something of that nature. So now it resides in the Old World and up at latitude 64° N