Macho or Not So!!??

[waynorth]

I was lucky to acquire this lovely Harrison Brothers and Howson Budding knife yesterday, from a friend who knows what kind of knives brighten my day!! I studied this apparently simple knife for a while and noticed some interesting things! It's not so simple!!
Very few parts in a careful arrangement make a worthy tool!!
The handle is one piece, sawn differently at backspring and gullet. The spring is tapered, and set into a notch in the handle/body, and requires only one pin! The other pin allows the blade to pivot and snap!! Delicate in appearance yet sturdy in function, this knife is referred to by the etch as THE ALPHA KNIFE!!! A Rough and Ready name, yet a svelte configuration! The blade is nicely swedged (and poorly honed) and the handle donated by a long-ago elephant, is shapely and functional! The oddest knives are functional and beautiful in this collector business!!!

 

[Bartleby]

Certainly appears to be a professional grade tool, in very good shape for its age!

 

[waynorth]

Thanks Bart!!

 

[SteveC]

Very nice !

 

[bflying]

Svelte indeed.

 

[Ernie1980]

That is super nice! I have seen wooden handles made in a similar manner but never ivory

 

[r8shell]

That is simply a beautiful tool.

If I recall correctly, you have a few Saynor's budding knives, don't you?

 

[herder]

Beautiful / Elegant knife!!!
Oh those English cutlers...

 

[cjtamu]

That is trick. I love seeing all the different answers to the same question.

 

[flatblackcapo]

A wonderful piece, Charlie!
That last pic really grabbed me, the taper, wowza!

 

[cigarrodog]

Is that an integral? So cool, Charlie.

 

[meako]

A Prince among knives....looks like they used the whole tusk...that tapered handle has a purpose for budding and grafting....something to do with insert the scion into the cut....to make oranges grow on lemon trees.....n that.
Its a beauty...wonder how old?

 

[waynorth]

It's all one piece of Ivory! 3 15/16"long. The tapered end is indeed used to pry a space under the bark for a bud or "scion". The tapered end is sometimes called a spud. Carbon steel would "pollute" the cambium (growing) budding area hence the ivory. Age anyone??

 

[mitch13]

It's a nice piece.
Something you can picture, paired with a trug for a lady to collect fresh flowers.
Thanks for sharing
Mitch

 

[Hickory n steel]

Beautiful old knife, they certainly don't make 'em like that anymore.

 

[blademan 13]

Exceptional task specific tool. Incredible workmanship all the way around.

 

[Jack Black]

Nice piece Charlie I'm just about to kick out some Z's here, but I'll post tomorrow with some historical info on the firm, and contemporary pics of the old Alpha Works (hence the name) on Calver Street, Sheffield. In the meantime, check out my 'Dairy Maids...' thread

 

[RayseM]

It's all one piece of Ivory! 3 15/16"long. The tapered end is indeed used to pry a space under the bark for a bud or "scion". The tapered end is sometimes called a spud. Carbon steel would "pollute" the cambium (growing) budding area hence the ivory. Age anyone??

I always love learning about the how and why of tools. Very cool Charlie and pretty too

Ray

 

[WhittlinAway]

Woah. That's cool. I appreciate that the maker didn't feel compelled to maximize the length of the blade.

Macho? Dunno. How about nacho? I'm sure it'd slice jalapeños.

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

I can just see the cutler of old finishing up this one, carrying it around to show the other cutlers at their benches. I can see their eyes widen a bit,and that little sparkle dance across them. Then looking back at the man showing the piece, their eyes squint a bit,the corners of their mouths turning up into a knowing smile. A little nod of the head and they turn back to their work,thinking "tomorrow may be my day". The man returns to his bench,places the knife with the rest of the days work. His eyes linger a moment as he looks with the same knowing smile as the others,with the knowledge that today was his day. A day when all the peices came together just right,and his skill was up to the challenge. A day when a knife was made that was special, and he hopes that it finds its way to someone just as special. And so it has down through the years, each hand that has held it in ownership has cherished its craftsmanship. The original craftsman has since passed on,but his work lives on a testament to his skill. And once again the knife has found its way into hands that are special, for they belong to someone who can read in it the quality it embodies. And one who appreciates the skill of that cutler of old. Even though the technology has changed, it once again is shown by someone amongst his peers. So here we sit, with a sparkle in our eyes and knowing little smiles.