J. Fenton & Son Ltd., Sheffield, England

[Primble]

I picked up this J. Fenton & Son Ltd. Farrier Horseman knife, made in Sheffield, England. I checked with Jack and he believes it to be from the mid 1920's to mid 1930's era. I would be interested in seeing any other knives from this maker or for that matter, any Farrier Horsemans from other makers.

According to the good Prof Tweedale, Joseph Fenton was born in Sheffield in about 1803, and trade directories listed him as a pocket knife maker in 1833. After a previous partnership was dissolved, Joseph Fenton & Sons was established in 1857. In 1861 the firm employed around 150 men. However, by 1880 the firm was bankrupt, but was re-established a few years later, and in the 1890's claimed to have 300 to 400 workers (Tweedale notes this was probably an exaggeration). Their specialities were table and butchers' knives, pocket knives, sportsman's knives, dirks, and hunting knives. They traded throughout the UK, and also exported to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and China. Ireland was an important market throughout the history of the company. Fenton's became a limited company in the early 1920's, and in 1962 it merged with another Sheffield firm, Gregory Brothers, to become Gregory Fenton Ltd.

 

[Vaporstang]

That is a beautiful and awesome knife!

 

[waynorth]

Looks to be in nice shape, Rob! A beauty!!
Congratulations, and I am envious as all get out!!

 

[Jack Black]

Once again, a beautiful knife, and well deserving of its own thread. Congratulations sir :thumbup:

Mine is so beat up, I'm embarrassed to post pics

 

[Campbellclanman]

Post 'em Jack, I think this fella Primbles' an imposter - like a Alien of sorts, Now Primble- you have stolen - sorry acquired all the Primbles, Schrades AND TC's - now just BACK OFF from the Sheffield's Brother........

'nuff's nuff I say

 

[Jack Black]

Post 'em Jack, I think this fella Primbles' an imposter - like a Alien of sorts, Now Primble- you have stolen - sorry acquired all the Primbles, Schrades AND TC's - now just BACK OFF from the Sheffield's Brother........

'nuff's nuff I say

LOL! :thumbup:

 

[Will Power]

If you were searching under 'Q' for a definition of quality, this knife would be a work of reference:thumbup:

I must say it rather surprises me that these style of knives and at this level of quality continued well after the First War, they must have been both prized and a kind of anachronism at the same time. But the Ltd on the tang-stamp seems to settle that.

Well, this would be a nice, simple, available, easy to make and inexpensive pattern for the next Forum Knife, just sayin....

Congratulations Dr Primble, a beautiful acquisition Any chance of a GAW???

Thanks, Will

 

[Jack Black]

I must say it rather surprises me that these style of knives and at this level of quality continued well after the First War, they must have been both prized and a kind of anachronism at the same time. But the Ltd on the tang-stamp seems to settle that.

Yes indeed, the tang stamp is very useful in this case. :thumbup: Sheffield has certainly always been anachronistic

Here's one I picked up on a market-stall, it's clearly seen a lot of use, and possibly abuse.

 

[meako]

Oh maan.
I saw one very similar a few yrs ago in an antique shop far from where I live. Very worn out except for the price the old lady had on it. Preposterous. Neither did I have the time to talk it down........a couple of hundred bux .it was ridiculously overpriced.

 

[Primble]

Looks to be in nice shape, Rob! A beauty!!
Congratulations, and I am envious as all get out!!

Thank you my friend ! :thumbup:

Once again, a beautiful knife, and well deserving of its own thread. Congratulations sir :thumbup:

Mine is so beat up, I'm embarrassed to post pics

Thank you Mr. Jack ! I am happy to see your Eye Witness this morning ! I really like the stag, iron bolsters, shield, saw blade, and patina on your example. ......... and yours has more tools and an extra spring for them. I forgot to mention in this thread that my example is 3.5 inches closed, which makes it fit my watch pocket nicely. I wonder if most were of that length ?

I think Ptradeco, among others, had some nice examples as well.

Post 'em Jack, I think this fella Primbles' an imposter - like a Alien of sorts, Now Primble- you have stolen - sorry acquired all the Primbles, Schrades AND TC's - now just BACK OFF from the Sheffield's Brother........

'nuff's nuff I say

I need just one more Sheffield made knife Duncan and the Sheffield branch of the Primble River will most likely end up being more like a cove than a branch. I just can't afford to keep getting off track, else my Catts might start looking mangy ! I gave my only IXL to my friend Stephen a while back. I imagine he is giving it good care.

plus I would have to buy new books that covers the Sheffield knives better or run the risk of pestering Mr. Jack half to death !

If you were searching under 'Q' for a definition of quality, this knife would be a work of reference:thumbup:

I must say it rather surprises me that these style of knives and at this level of quality continued well after the First War, they must have been both prized and a kind of anachronism at the same time. But the Ltd on the tang-stamp seems to settle that.
Congratulations Dr Primble, a beautiful acquisition Any chance of a GAW???

I agree with you Will - it does have some very fine quality ! As for the GAW, one never knows !

That is a beautiful and awesome knife!

Thank you and I agree with you - the maker did a fabulous job ! :thumbup:

Oh maan.
I saw one very similar a few yrs ago in an antique shop far from where I live. Very worn out except for the price the old lady had on it. Preposterous. Neither did I have the time to talk it down........a couple of hundred bux .it was ridiculously overpriced.

Sounds like the antique shops here in the states Meako !

 

[Jack Black]

Thank you Mr. Jack ! I am happy to see your Eye Witness this morning ! I really like the stag, iron bolsters, shield, saw blade, and patina on your example. ......... and yours has more tools and an extra spring for them. I forgot to mention in this thread that my example is 3.5 inches closed, which makes it fit my watch pocket nicely. I wonder if most were of that length ?

Thank you sir What little is left of them Mine is nearly an inch longer and pretty heavy - even with the slimmed-down tools! Most of the ones I've seen have been this sort of size, while some have been bigger still :thumbup:

 

[Gevonovich]

Post 'em Jack, I think this fella Primbles' an imposter - like a Alien of sorts, Now Primble- you have stolen - sorry acquired all the Primbles, Schrades AND TC's - now just BACK OFF from the Sheffield's Brother........

'nuff's nuff I say

That is the best laugh I have had in awhile, Duncan! We love ya Primble

 

[Primble]

Thank you sir What little is left of them Mine is nearly an inch longer and pretty heavy - even with the slimmed-down tools! Most of the ones I've seen have been this sort of size, while some have been bigger still :thumbup:

Glad I found a mini model then Mr. Jack ! Now, on to the Encore I just procured this morning and I will stop - hopefully. That museum thread you started doesn't help matters.

That is the best laugh I have had in awhile, Duncan! We love ya Primble

I got a good laugh out of it too and I was the target !

I heard that if one walks to the south end of that little island he lives on, you will fall off the end of the Earth and be warped to planet Pluto, or dwarf Pluto, whatever it is. Probably where he gets the alien thingy !!? :grumpy:

 

[Bigfattyt]

That is a lovely example in great shape.

I just don't ever see anything like the knives you guys find. Too rural, and small around here.

I would not venture to bid on ebay, because I have not the knowledge or skill to pick legitimate knives from the mongrel Franken-knives.

 

[Jack Black]

Glad I found a mini model then Mr. Jack ! Now, on to the Encore I just procured this morning and I will stop - hopefully. That museum thread you started doesn't help matters.

:thumbup:

 

[RobbW]

That one is very special. A true Grail knife for sure! Congratulations!:thumbup: everything about that is amazing.

 

[Campbellclanman]

I do agree with everyone- Primb's knife sure is a beaut, Jack - yours as well - if I saw that one lying on a table I too would have snatched it up in a heart beat.


Now.......

As for the little Island my friend, that Island is the first to see the world every morning - but unfortunately not the island where all the knives are.....my friend told me..."Duncan...Good guys dont come first" heres my proof , somehow primbles stack keeps piling up....somethings VERY VERY wrong....I have been trying to tell people here......they just dont see it, I think I am like the kid who sees dead people.......no one listens.

I might have to call Chief in again to sort this out...

 

[Primble]

I have been trying to tell people here......they just dont see it, I think I am like the kid who sees dead people.......no one listens.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Al@NZ]

I am not sure if this is the right thread. I have a friend who's dad recently died and in his belongings they found a pocket knife by J Fenton. I have inserted an image below but can't see anything but the placeholder so sorry if it is not visible to you either. Here is a brief description. It is a single blade folding knife with "stainless J-F" on the blade and "stainless J Fenton" on the base of the blade. It has a single bolster, mother of pearl covers and two rivets, one at either end of the handle. I would appreciate it if someone has any more information about the year it was made or other info that I could pass on to my friend?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Al@NZ]

Another attempt at inserting the image from drop box. Any suggestions how you do it?

(Thanks to Jack Black for the link to the technical help)