LETS SEE THOSE MAGNIFICENT HARNESS JACKS

[Campbellclanman]

Another fairly recent arrival is this Harness Jack that goes back fairly early, defined in a time frame of 4 years.

Not a name you see out there much is LEHRKIND DAEVEL Co. Milwaukee, this company was open between 1890 and 1910, they contracted the making of this Harness Jack to Washington Cutlery who were in operations between the years 1898 - 1902, so right on the border line of 1800's and 1900's - really interesting.
There's a difference with the older knives, the Bolsters have a slightly rounder shape which I really am fond of.
Earlier styled punch, all steel construction.

The walk and talk of this knife is still superb for a knife that is 1 & 1/4 centuries old, sure it has sharpening , but careful sharpening at that alongside the long pull and nice Swage work.
I just really like this Harness Jack.

Edited- typo on the date

Sorry folks
I just saw a typo on the dates, should have said 1898 to 1902, instead I initially typed in 1980 - 1902

On the subject of punches, Cal has displayed a gorgeous Cattaraugus Stockman in the OLD KNIVES Thread post number 27,392, and in my post # 2660 in this thread just previous to this you will see I mention the shape of the usual Cattaraugus punch of which Cal's beautiful Stockman has, and how the Harness Jack in post # 2660 has the Alvord punch instead of the Cattaraugus punch.

I wondered why this Harness Jack may have the Alvord punch- perhaps as it might have been an earlier knife? but that's simply me thinking aloud.

Thought you may be interested

 

[waynorth]

Thought you may be interested

I have incomplete info from Tom B. in Winsted, that Empire sold punches!! They could have done that, or made the whole knife on contract!!! Will we ever know???

Here are some contract knives!! Made for Western States, after they moved to Colorado!!

The Candy Stripe knife has a Utica Punch; the Green knife is a little less certain!!!

 

[black mamba]

Love that Western States, Charlie! How long is that one closed? Looks like a big'n.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Wow- Charlie, two outstanding Harness Jacks Sir! What a wake up for this Thread

 

[waynorth]

Love that Western States, Charlie! How long is that one closed? Looks like a big'n.

They look big and flashy, Jeff, but they are both mid-sized (and flashy !!) - 3 3/8" each!!!

 

[Jakeywax31]

Carrying the Charlie/BF today.

 

[waynorth]

Carrying the Charlie/BF today.

View attachment 3178627

I like that Double-end HJ!!! Nice carry, Paul!!

 

[Jakeywax31]

I like that Double-end HJ!!! Nice carry, Paul!!

Thanks, Charlie. Another classic of yours my friend.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Agreed Paul, both the HJ9 and HJ10 are absolute knockouts! Man .... all of Charlies Harness Jacks are high level, I have so much fun takng them out and going through them,it's like Christmas every time I do!
isn't it funny, I have been thinking of going through the New HJ's - and this has inspired me so much to do just that! Thank you Gents

I was meant to add into my comment on those two stunning Western states HJ's Charlie, isn't it a real shame that Tom. B doesnt have the paper work for the supply of Punches from one company to another.

 

[Campbellclanman]

I have incomplete info from Tom B. in Winsted, that Empire sold punches!! They could have done that, or made the whole knife on contract!!! Will we ever know???

Here are some contract knives!! Made for Western States, after they moved to Colorado!!View attachment 3177986View attachment 3177987View attachment 3177988

The Candy Stripe knife has a Utica Punch; the Green knife is a little less certain!!!

This is what we mean when it goes down a long winding path with punches, This is what I try and do for comparing...

Charlie, the top Harness Jack Sir, is the face of the punches ever so slightly slightly rounded? Could you do me a favour please and compare one of your Remington punches to the top Western States.

From what I can see it looks very similar to a Remington punch - although I cant see the complete tang shape or pile-side- what are your thoughts Charlie?
Below I took a few photographs of the Remington punches.

Top photo: The Punches face machining simply comes to an end with no attempt of shaping off neatly on this patina'd Remington Harness Jack which looks to be finished off similar to your top Western States.

Middle photo: Another Remington punch ( on a Scout) Face side, this punches face machining is rounded off nicely at the tang.

Bottom photo: Pile side of the Remington Scout punch.


Charlie I could be way off, but from what I can see this is what this silly old fool is thinking





Yet another possibility is....
(Forgive my ranting here), it could be the "Empire" Punch, has the same face and side wall- it depends if the Western States top punch-face has a curve or flat, the shoulders- pile side may help tell the story...

The Empire Punch that I know Charlie you will have so many of in the photo below....



.....and the Pile-Side of the Empire.





This looks a close contender as well.... Here is one of Ulsters Punches- the non nail nick version. Kick looks better on this one from what we can see...



Pile-Side of the above Ulster shown below...



It is so inspiring when Charlie's Harness Jacks are posted here, Paul and Charlie I have just gone through my "New" Harness Jacks- and they are Charlie's creations, simply because of your posts, its hard to believe when you have all these beautiful knives sitting in front of you, just look at Paul's Jakeywax31 HJ9 for example above, what a stunner!

 

[waynorth]

Charlie, the top Harness Jack Sir, is the face of the punches ever so slightly slightly rounded? Could you do me a favour please and compare one of your Remington punches to the top Western States.

From what I can see it looks very similar to a Remington punch - although I cant see the complete tang shape or pile-side- what are your thoughts Charlie?
Below I took a few photographs of the Remington punches.

Some Punch comparisons Duncan!! The Remington is more professional!!

The interior machining of the Remington punch is much cleaner than the Western's, and more deeply "concaved"!! Much more precisely machined!!
The rears of both are comparably rounded!!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Fantastic Charlie
Just look at that Remington It has it all and it's like brand new! I could look at that all day - thank you for sharing these treasures of yours Charlie.

Boy! now that you described the face, and we see the Pile side- gee it looks like the Ulster doesn't it!

This is the thing about Harness Jacks- and old knives of course, are the secrets they contain! That punch is like the Cattaraugus, The Ulster comparison photo, and we see that in so many German punches too- the same generic shape, I have asked myself for such a long time who made this Punch - did these different companies buy them from one manufacturer?
Like we said before- Oh to have those invoices of supply from one to another!
Every time these knives come up- wouldn't it be great to have them in front of us so we can really get into looking at them.

 

[waynorth]

Sword Brand Serpentine Harness Jack from Camillus, Rodgers bone handles, it is likely an early one!!! Sword Brand on one main tang, 4-line on the other side!!

 

[waynorth]

Case Bros. Little Valley!!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Charlie that Sword Brand is fantastic- look at Camillus using that punch - Wow what a beauty! Then you bring out that superb old Case

We are so lucky having you share these with us Charlie- Thank you!!!

 

[lambertiana]

View attachment 3180749View attachment 3180750
Case Bros. Little Valley!!

That’s a real dandy! Uncommon pattern, unusual punch, and properly cut stag. Too bad Case forgot how to cut stag, their recent production has half the bark ground off.

 

[waynorth]

That’s a real dandy! Uncommon pattern, unusual punch, and properly cut stag. Too bad Case forgot how to cut stag, their recent production has half the bark ground off.

You ain't wrong!!!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Here is a recent arrival.
Norvell Shapleigh began in the 1840’s and I’m sure this knife isn’t from there

Norvell Shapleigh was apparently used on Knife tangs from 1902 to 1917 (ref Goins), this brand name was used before dropping the Norvell name out down to Shapleigh Hardware.

The main retains its original length but as you see has had sharpening, but boy do I like this Harness Jack.

The Punch is Empire’s Alvord Punch which was awarded its Patent in 1906.
So around late 1906 (Alvord Patent date) to 1917 which was the end of the term when the name Norvell was used, we can safely bet this knife hails from that period making this knife between 110 to 120 years old.

I think it looks fantastic for a knife this age that was used.

Strong walk and talk both Blade and punch, and lovely Pic Bone.

 

[black mamba]

A real looker, Duncan, and that bone just glows with PATINA. It took decades to achieve that hand-rubbed finish.

 

[waynorth]

Here is a recent arrival.
Norvell Shapleigh began in the 1840’s and I’m sure this knife isn’t from there

Norvell Shapleigh was apparently used on Knife tangs from 1902 to 1917 (ref Goins), this brand name was used before dropping the Norvell name out down to Shapleigh Hardware.

The main retains its original length but as you see has had sharpening, but boy do I like this Harness Jack.

The Punch is Empire’s Alvord Punch which was awarded its Patent in 1906.
So around late 1906 (Alvord Patent date) to 1917 which was the end of the term when the name Norvell was used, we can safely bet this knife hails from that period making this knife between 110 to 120 years old.

I think it looks fantastic for a knife this age that was used.

Strong walk and talk both Blade and punch, and lovely Pic Bone.

Just Gorgeous, Duncan!! Subcontracted by Empire I will bet!!!