- Joined
- Aug 4, 2013
- Messages
- 3,989
Wostenholm of Sheffield England had a huge part in contributing to the Bowie knife lore in the United States of America.
During the mid to late 1800's, Sheffield England produced the majority of the Bowie knives in American circulation.
It's been estimated that Sheffield England cutlery firms may have made up to 90 percent of all the Bowie style knives sold in America during the Bowie Knife's heyday.
And, of the many cutleries that made and shipped Bowie knives over to the USA, Wostenholm was a quality favorite with Americans.
Wostenholm lasted as it's own identity until Joseph Rodgers of Sheffield England bought them out sometime during 1971.
I believe that was the year that the remaining Bowie knives made by the Wostenholm firm got sold off, closing the chapter of the original Wostenholm company.
What I have here is one of the last Bowie knives produced by Wostenholm before the company was purchased and merged with Joseph Rodgers.
I was able to buy this knife last year in totally NIB condition. When I received it, it was like I had just opened up a half century old time capsule. It had obviously been superbly stored away
The blade is made of carbon steel, (not stainless steel), but I don't know what grade of steel it is. It's spine is file worked. The guard, handle's inlaid shield, and pins, are all made of nickel silver. The handle scales are made of buffalo horn. The full tang is progressively tapered from guard to butt. The Ricasso is stamped with the company's famous I*XL stamp.
Now, I would love to see any and all Wostenholm Bowie knives that you folks may personally own.
Although the brand was a big hit in America, that was a long time ago. Nowadays one does not see much mentioned about them, and I'm sure many of this company's knives have been lost to time. All the more reason for my hoping to see more examples shared here of them.
During the mid to late 1800's, Sheffield England produced the majority of the Bowie knives in American circulation.
It's been estimated that Sheffield England cutlery firms may have made up to 90 percent of all the Bowie style knives sold in America during the Bowie Knife's heyday.
And, of the many cutleries that made and shipped Bowie knives over to the USA, Wostenholm was a quality favorite with Americans.
Wostenholm lasted as it's own identity until Joseph Rodgers of Sheffield England bought them out sometime during 1971.
I believe that was the year that the remaining Bowie knives made by the Wostenholm firm got sold off, closing the chapter of the original Wostenholm company.
What I have here is one of the last Bowie knives produced by Wostenholm before the company was purchased and merged with Joseph Rodgers.
I was able to buy this knife last year in totally NIB condition. When I received it, it was like I had just opened up a half century old time capsule. It had obviously been superbly stored away
The blade is made of carbon steel, (not stainless steel), but I don't know what grade of steel it is. It's spine is file worked. The guard, handle's inlaid shield, and pins, are all made of nickel silver. The handle scales are made of buffalo horn. The full tang is progressively tapered from guard to butt. The Ricasso is stamped with the company's famous I*XL stamp.
Now, I would love to see any and all Wostenholm Bowie knives that you folks may personally own.
Although the brand was a big hit in America, that was a long time ago. Nowadays one does not see much mentioned about them, and I'm sure many of this company's knives have been lost to time. All the more reason for my hoping to see more examples shared here of them.
Last edited:
