Knife from my Great Granddad

Raymond Richard

Raymond Richard

Joined
Jun 17, 2001
Messages
5,705
I'd got a call a few weeks ago from a fellow in Florida wanting to know if I had any information about the knife in this thread. I'd told him all I knew about Great Granddad's business was from what my Dad had told me and the few pages that were in New England Cutlers. I'd told him I had never seen a knife like that and the RICHARD'S mark I had never seen before. Anyway I had asked him to please send me a picture of the knife but that still didn't help. I said if he wanted to send me the knife I would take it to the OKCA Show and have it looked at there so anyway he'd sent me the knife and I received it yesterday and called him to let him know it got here. I told him I would get the knife back to him after the show and he said he wanted me to keep it. Also that he did more investigation and did find out that the knife was made by Stephen Richard in the 1890's. Probably the bowie that Jim carried. :D What a Great Surprise to receive this knife! The knife has a 5" blade, its 7/8" wide, and 3/32" thick. Its got a painted black wood handle and is 9 1/2" overall. Not sure if the sheath was really part of the knife. Here's a couple pictures of it.

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Someone should start an annual thread for "Best Thread of the Year" because a thread like this should sure quality.

What a fantastic knife to have acquired, one by your great grandfather. It's a good enough story, surely, to qualify for a mention in Blade magazine, in fact.

It warms the heart to hear about such a cherished event.

Best,

Bob Betzner
 
What luck, Ray!

That's a great old style. Will we see Raymond Richard interpretations? Hope so.

John
 
Raymond Richard said:
.. he'd sent me the knife and I received it yesterday .. he did more investigation and did find out that the knife was made by Stephen Richard in the 1890's. Probably the bowie that Jim carried ..
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That's not just a knife Ray! It's a knife with your family history! A heritage! And it's a beauty in it's own category! And more so :thumbup:

betzner said:
.. It's a good enough story, surely, to qualify for a mention in Blade magazine, in fact ..
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Agree with Bob! And I like to read it of course ;)

John White said:
.. That's a great old style. Will we see Raymond Richard interpretations? ..
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John, what I have in mind while reading Ray's posting is the same question just like yours :p

mohd
 
Now thats just a damn cool story right there!!! I guess it depends on how sentimental of a person you are but me personally that would make my year!!!
 
I'm still excited about the knife. Normally my excitement comes while I'm working on knives and have never been into collecting although about 10 years ago a fellow that went by "Hammerdown" on the forums had sent me 3 other kitchen knives that great granddad had made. Another nice surprise. Nothing fancy, just plan old working knives. Here's a picture of them. Unfortunately Hammerdown passed away over 5 years ago. Roger may remember him. Glad you fellows appreciate the story....

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WOW Ray how nice to have someone give you a piece of your families history, if it was me I would send the gent a new Richard's model ;).
 
This is such a cool story Ray! I'm super happy for you brother, that's an heirloom piece for sure.

Btw, I feel like I can see resemblance in that blade shape --- it's got the nice "Richard" flow.

I would second John's request that you make a Raymond version of that same knife :)
 
one of the most compelling stories I've seen in bladedom.
My only Blade mag right now is the one with the article about you, it's in the wc so I see it every day. Oct '10 issue I believe.

threads through time.
 
Mike Turner said:
WOW Ray how nice to have someone give you a piece of your families history, if it was me I would send the gent a new Richard's model ;).
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Mike, I already took care of sending my new friend a piece of my work I think he'll like very much.

Eli, My mind is already thinking of trying to incorporate some of Stephens style with some of my old stuff.
 
Raymond Richard said:
"Hammerdown" on the forums had sent me 3 other kitchen knives that great granddad had made. ...Unfortunately Hammerdown passed away over 5 years ago.
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Wonderful story. :thumbup: Thanks.
I was sparked by your comment above and filled with warm remembrance of Rock, a.k.a. Hammerdownnow. He was remarkably generous, having gifted me as well, after we met at a hammer-in up in Michigan, '03 or so. When he died, the outpouring of support for his bereft sweetheart and child (yes, financial) was remarkable.
Rock, the guy that gave you your GGDad's knife, the folks who passed their Scagel treasures to me on faith, and many others - even here on these forums - these people are like how angels are portrayed - arriving with dramatic good timing, providing that key thing you'd never been 'lucky' enough to get before - the equivalent of an open door, and you step in thinking "Wow, that was..."
Rock could have that kind of effect on people. Anyway... nice story Ray.
 
HTMD said:
Wonderful story. :thumbup: Thanks.
I was sparked by your comment above and filled with warm remembrance of Rock, a.k.a. Hammerdownnow. He was remarkably generous, having gifted me as well, after we met at a hammer-in up in Michigan, '03 or so. When he died, the outpouring of support for his bereft sweetheart and child (yes, financial) was remarkable.
Rock, the guy that gave you your GGDad's knife, the folks who passed their Scagel treasures to me on faith, and many others - even here on these forums - these people are like how angels are portrayed - arriving with dramatic good timing, providing that key thing you'd never been 'lucky' enough to get before - the equivalent of an open door, and you step in thinking "Wow, that was..."
Rock could have that kind of effect on people. Anyway... nice story Ray.
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You know I thought it may have been "Hammerdownnow" but just wasn't sure. I never new Rock well and I was really surprised when the 3 knives showed up. What I had heard was he was a really decent person with a big heart.

Dave, I just put my new knife in my backpack so I don't forget to bring it. That show is coming up pretty fast.

Here's a link to the pages that were printed about Stephen in New England Cutlers if your interested: http://www.hawknknives.com/aboutme/NewEnglandCutlery-1.html You may notice prices were a little bit more reasonable back then.
 
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