John Watts Sheffield Easifold

B

Bartleby

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
1,909
Does anyone have any info on these interesting little all stainless knives? I saw one at the local antiques shop yesterday, and may go back and grab it today. It looks like a well made version of the little "flip-flop" knives used for advertising years ago, the handle being in two sections one pivoting over the other to hold the knife secure. Did Watts originate the design? When were they produced? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Thanks, Jack. They certainly seem quite stout for their size, much more so than the version made over here. I noticed that there is a modern version marked AG Russell made off shore that seems closely patterned on the Watts design. Any ideas (or even approximations) on when the ads were published or when Watts was turning them out?
 
Bartleby said:
Thanks, Jack. They certainly seem quite stout for their size, much more so than the version made over here. I noticed that there is a modern version marked AG Russell made off shore that seems closely patterned on the Watts design. Any ideas (or even approximations) on when the ads were published or when Watts was turning them out?
Click to expand...

A useful little knife for sure, sometimes come with advertising. I would have thought 1960's-1980's, but they may have started making them earlier :thumbsup:

herder said:
Great knife, ads, and pictures, thanks!!!
Click to expand...

I'm sure you recognise the building my friend :) :thumbsup:
 
I believe the guys at Shadetree are making a modern version of this knife style. I saw a thread in General and the Fiddleback sub-forum a while back that showed the prototype. The blade and one cover rotate 180* before the blade stops and the cover continues rotating another 180*, correct?
 
Bartleby said:
Many thanks, sir. This very much 1960's, while the other looks a bit earlier.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think that is the later of the two, but when I look at Sheffield advertising from the 1990's, it looks like it's from the 1950's! :D And the people from the 1960's look Victorian! :eek: ;) :thumbsup:
 
Wurrwulf said:
I believe the guys at Shadetree are making a modern version of this knife style. I saw a thread in General and the Fiddleback sub-forum a while back that showed the prototype. The blade and one cover rotate 180* before the blade stops and the cover continues rotating another 180*, correct?
Click to expand...
Thanks, sir! That sounds a bit different (although also quite interesting), the Watts knife has two covers which pivot on two separate axis, at right angles to each other. If the first pivoting movement was north to south, the second pivot would be east to west.
 
I wonder if this is considered a locking blade in those places where such is not allowed, the UK for example?
 
Bartleby said:
Thanks, sir! That sounds a bit different (although also quite interesting), the Watts knife has two covers which pivot on two separate axis, at right angles to each other. If the first pivoting movement was north to south, the second pivot would be east to west.
Click to expand...

Oh, wow! I did not gather that from the pictures. What an intriguing design! Thanks for the clarification, Bartleby.
 
Pomsbz said:
I wonder if this is considered a locking blade in those places where such is not allowed, the UK for example?
Click to expand...
In NYC terms, it probably would be frowned upon by the arresting officer, but may be overturned by the judge. Don't know about the UK specifically, would not want to try to explain it to the arresting officer though.
 
Jack Black said:
Very likely it would be, essentially it's a very small fixed blade with a blade cover.
Click to expand...
An excellent way of describing it in UK terms. I take it that the fact that blade is held from moving in the handle when open no doubt meets the legal definition. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Bartleby said:
An excellent way of describing it in UK terms. I take it that the fact that blade is held from moving in the handle when open no doubt meets the legal definition. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Laws is tricky! :rolleyes: ;) :thumbsup:

By one of life's many coincidences, I was leafing through an old knife book from the 70's last night, and came across this Ted Dowell knife :eek: :cool:

 
Jack Black said:
Laws is tricky! :rolleyes: ;) :thumbsup:

By one of life's many coincidences, I was leafing through an old knife book from the 70's last night, and came across this Ted Dowell knife :eek: :cool:

Click to expand...
A well executed version indeed! The handle is quite a bit thicker, I wonder what material was used. Perhaps this was the version that AG Russell used as the basis for his version, still in production, which shares the "funny folder" name. In looking about for information on line I have noticed that the design has popped up in various forms over the years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top