Jack's 'Virtual Table'

[Jack Black]

Having the memory of a middle-aged goldfish, there was a time when I used to leave a few newly-acquired knives out on the kitchen table, as a reminder for me to give them a clean and sharpen. Then I started adding a few other bits and pieces I’d acquired on my travels, which also needed a bit of fettling. It wasn’t long before the kitchen table began to creak and groan beneath the weight of what I tell myself is ‘pointy treasure’, and all the other junk I pick up while searching for it. Eventually, there was so much stuff on the table, it was hard to see the table...Hence, the appearance of the ‘virtual table’ - which bears a striking resemblance to a large shoe-box (I may have the memory of a middle-aged goldfish, but I have the feet of a veritable colossus)! Basically, I’m now just reduced to confining my purchases in one place until I get the time to deal with them, and as the contents of the box grew, it got more and more daunting.

I must confess that I’ve cheated a few times, when I’ve picked up a particularly nice piece, and it’s bypassed the ‘virtual table’ and gone straight in my pocket, usually via the ‘Old Knives’ thread. The same goes for one or two knives acquired with other members in mind, which have gone off in the post. Without further prevarication, here’s the state of things, as it was a couple of days ago...



I didn’t settle accounts with this lot entirely, but I think I have had a good go. Everything else has gone back in the box – sorry VIRTUAL TABLE – for next time





Let’s start with this Joseph Rodgers horn-handled Spey, or as we say in the blunt parlance of Yorkshire: Castrator. It’s 3 1/4” long, with a reassuringly stiff pull, and it’s quite obvious from the way the blade has been sharpened, that this has been a working knife.









I’m a sucker for a big Sheepsfoot, and couldn’t resist picking up this 4 ¾” behemoth. I don’t know a great deal about German knives, but I think that tang stamp was one used by W R Kirschbaum.





Two Pruners by CK.





I meant to take some more pics of this one. 3 5/8”. Obscure maker. Synthetic covers. What do you think Charlie?





I find the simple beauty of all-metal penknives very appealing, and it’s one of the patterns I collect. Top left: Warriss, stainless. Top right: German, carbon. Bottom left: Sheffield, stainless. Bottom right: Harrison Brothers & Howson, carbon. A shame someone hit a live wire with one of those!



I have a bit of a Love-Hate relationship with Richards knives, but I like this Sheepsfoot, it’s nice and solid, and I’m sure it’ll take a good edge.



My Junior School was next to a road named for John Cowlishaw, who produced some of Sheffield’s finest silver fruit knives. I couldn’t resist the fluted MOP of this example, which I think is from 1836.





This Pruner came to me in a terrible state, covered in rust and concrete. It was only after a lot of work that I realised it was made by Joseph Rodgers. Probably needs a bit more work.







Another Joseph Rodgers, with an early stainless blade, and ivory covers, but sadly a piece of the ivory is missing









A similar fate has befallen this Swell-Centre Penknife by Abram Brooksbank. Fortunately, the chip is on the pile side, and the knife still has great snap. ADEE skilfully repairs knives like these with coloured epoxy, but I don’t think I have his artistic flair!







I actually found this one in the street. Unfortunately, someone else’s foot found it before mine. That or it had a heavy landing.

 

[Jack Black]

This old Crown Penknife from William Rodgers has fared better, but has still some honest wear and tear. John Clark & Son acquired the William Rodgers name and ‘I Cut My Way’ mark from Thomas Hobson in 1910, Hobson having used it prior to that. An interesting knife I think.





Also in MOP is this sweet little thing from Colquhoun & Cadman, which measures just 2 ¼”.











Despite the quality of manufacture, this Equal End Penknife, with sunken joins and tortoiseshell covers has no maker’s stamp. It’s not the first knife I’ve seen like this, and I think it may be German. It’s noticeable that while one blade appears to have been very heavily used, the other has barely been used at all. The reason could be simply that the longer blade is easier to open, but I wonder if it has been repurposed, not just heavily sharpened. I have a Surgeon’s Penknife, for instance, which includes a very similar blade.





Of more recent manufacture is this German-made multiblade, which someone undoubtedly brought back from their holidays on Malta. While taking these photos, I managed not just to get the tip of the corkscrew under my thumb-nail, but it went right through the nail, and nearly ripped it off!





I received this advertising knife from an old friend in Sheffield yesterday. Probably made by Harrison Fisher.







Another Sheffield-made advertising knife is this one for the iconic 60’s/70’s English beer ‘Double Diamond’, something which makes it more collectible than it would be otherwise.



Last of all (and before my brain shuts down for the evening), there’s this humble Sleeveboard by J.Howarth. Couple of other items below.

 

[Mason Knives]

The trouble is Jack, is that there all beautiful in there own way. Its such a shame to see lovely little penknives discarded and unloved, i like you could take them all home and end up in the same position
Hope you had them all tidied away before the boss came round!

Have a great week

Paul

 

[Jack Black]

Hope you had them all tidied away before the boss came round!

Yep! Even if it nearly killed me! :thumbup:

I can't bear to see them lying all dirty and uncared for Paul Take care my friend :thumbup:

 

[Wurrwulf]

I always love seeing your collections of all-metal pen knives and ivory handled beauties, Jack! That Henley all-metal is in fantastic shape, and the Harrison Brothers & Howson all-metal pen knife has a very intriguing tang stamp on the secondary blade.

I had to laugh at "Double Diamond Works Wonders". I've certainly been witness to ales and lagers "working wonders"! Haha!

Thank you for sharing!

 

[Gevonovich]

I’m a sucker for a big Sheepsfoot, and couldn’t resist picking up this 4 ¾” behemoth. I don’t know a great deal about German knives, but I think that tang stamp was one used by W R Kirschbaum.

Jack, If I'm not mistaken the mark is from the maker Franz Frenzel of Nixdorf. I have sought one of the knives for years at a price I could afford. ( That's not a hint, my friend ) Here is a link to some information from Bernard Levine

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rl-Pocket-Knife?highlight=franz+frenzel+knife


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ual-clasp-knife?highlight=franz+frenzel+knife

 

[leghog]

Show the compass in the Silva box, please

 

[RDaneel]

So nice to see "The Table" again, Jack. When I go through your photos, I try to pick my favorite (which is difficult). A beautiful lot of pen knives, but the one I would favor is the Hayden Nilos Cornflow Limited - partly because of that name but mostly for the simplicity of design. :thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

I always love seeing your collections of all-metal pen knives and ivory handled beauties, Jack! That Henley all-metal is in fantastic shape, and the Harrison Brothers & Howson all-metal pen knife has a very intriguing tang stamp on the secondary blade.

I had to laugh at "Double Diamond Works Wonders". I've certainly been witness to ales and lagers "working wonders"! Haha!

Thank you for sharing!

Thank you Shawn, Harrison Brother's & Howson's Alpha Works building still stands in Sheffield :thumbup:





Double Diamond was heavily advertised on TV when I was a kid Shawn :thumbup:

[video=youtube;nRklsYZaxeQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRklsYZaxeQ[/video]

Jack, If I'm not mistaken the mark is from the maker Franz Frenzel of Nixdorf. I have sought one of the knives for years at a price I could afford. ( That's not a hint, my friend ) Here is a link to some information from Bernard Levine

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rl-Pocket-Knife?highlight=franz+frenzel+knife

Many thanks for that information Gev, I am indebted to you my friend :thumbup:

 

[Mason Knives]

Double Diamond!!!! I dread to think how much of that i drunk as a kid Jack, happy days indeed:barf:

 

[AShearer]

Wonderful show Jack. It's an education just reading through your post and photos. Thanks.

 

[screened porch]

That obscure maker looks like G Batty and Co to me, but as you probably know, there seems to be no such varmint.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Jack!!!
Wow, I ALWAYS love your table Threads, what a hug lot of awesome knives, those Ivories are stunning, well - its hard to pick one out that you could favour the most because they carry ( typical Sheffield Charm in a knife ) their own Qualities.

The JR's are always such great finds, the advertising knives with the gorgeous Spring work - Wow

I tell you what, that lovely Long Bolstered Jack by ? ( I looked up that name... C or G Batt? & Co...the closest I got in Tweedales book - The Sheffield Knife Book - Edition 1 pg 156, was J Batt & Co )
That Knife is such a great looking knife!

 

[supratentorial]

Nice knives, Jack :thumbup:

 

[r8shell]

As usual, such fun to see Jack's "table." :thumbup: Lovely steel and wood and ivory and MOP and even tortoiseshell. Oh my!
I love the bar shields on that ivory Abram Brooksbank, and the mop Colquhoun & Cadman.

 

[waynorth]

What an incredible accumulation, Jack. Some nice knives, tattered beauties, and cutlery mysteries to ponder! Your "table" posts are the most fun on this old porch!!:thumbup:
So tell me, how long is that Batty Jack, Jack?
Sure looks like synthetic handles. I can't find mention of the name, but I think I have a similar knife. I am on the hunt!!

 

[waynorth]

A copy of "Batty".

2 similarly styled knives:

Top; "<O>" Witness (eye witness)

Bottom; SLASH (over) Charles Botson & Co
Sheffield England on both back tangs.

Both are 3 5/8" long.

 

[btb01]

Jack, thanks for sharing all of your finds! I always enjoy getting to see the items on your table (even if it is a "virtual" table now).

 

[r redden]

Jack I've said this before but your table is a trip through Sheffield Cutlery history. Just be careful when your "thumbing" through there.

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks for all the very kind words folks :thumbup:

That obscure maker looks like G Batty and Co to me, but as you probably know, there seems to be no such varmint.

I tell you what, that lovely Long Bolstered Jack by ? ( I looked up that name... C or G Batt? & Co...the closest I got in Tweedales book - The Sheffield Knife Book - Edition 1 pg 156, was J Batt & Co )
That Knife is such a great looking knife!

Yes G Batty & Co. Even the good Prof Geoff hasn't yet managed to collect all the Sheffield firms and cutlers, but I am guessing that G Batty & Co were a factor or hardware company of some kind, outside Sheffield, and that like many other similar businesses, they had knives made in Sheffield, with their name on :thumbup:

So tell me, how long is that Batty Jack, Jack?
Sure looks like synthetic handles. I can't find mention of the name, but I think I have a similar knife. I am on the hunt!!

3 5/8" Charlie, and they are indeed synthetic :thumbup:

A copy of "Batty".

2 similarly styled knives:

Top; "<O>" Witness (eye witness)

Bottom; SLASH (over) Charles Botson & Co
Sheffield England on both back tangs.

Both are 3 5/8" long.

Wow! Great work Charlie, thanks for the match, I think the top knife is an identical pattern :thumbup: :thumbup: Yours looks nicer of course! :thumbup: