"Made in Sheffield" 1830-1930, A golden age ?

Here's another ivory scaled knife, a gents utility ?, marked G IBBERSON & CO, SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, made in 1930, measures 4" closed, it has hand forged carbon blades, crocus polished.

This knife was made by Ibberson's premier craftsman (double ended cutler) Ted (Edward) Osborne. Ted was one of the most accomplished later Sheffield cutlers, he made many complex very fine knives, he even made a special gold presentation knife for HM the Queen in 1952. Ted usually marked his initials and date inside the web of the knife (EO-year).

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Thanks for looking..Mick
 
Wow! Very cool knife. Would Mr Osbourne have made this knife from start to finish? I understand from past posts that most of the knives made in Sheffield would have gone through many "hands" before completion. Each person being a master at his or her specialty.

Ken
 
ken erickson said:
Would Mr Osbourne have made this knife from start to finish?
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Hi Ken,

No Ted would have been provided with the parts, his job would be to assemble all, to a very high standard, before passing the knives on to the buffer girls to finish and pack.

Ted Osborne did design many of the later Ibberson patterns, the Royalty sets, 3 and 5 pc lobsters, smokers knives with 8 blades, 4 & 8 bladed fisherman's knives etc, an extremely skilled man.

Ibberson's was a relatively small firm, it still had it's own forgers, grinders, harder and temperer's, scale cutters and so on.

These knives, again made by Ted Osborne date from 1940 (a little late for this thread, sorry), they show the sort of thing Ted made, these are Penny Black Centenary 2 blade lobsters. (very rare)


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Mick
 
A real treat to see some of your fantastic collection Mick. The stamp knives are most unusual. Thanks very much for sharing them with us.
 
Looking at the Gent's Utility? I was wondering about the cork screw?, Is this one a twisted wire construction? Was wondering what style of corkscrew was favored by the Sheffield maker's during the "golden age" .

Ken
 
Just spent a 1/2 hour or so reviewing the thread and I'm completely awe-struck by the beautiful knives shown. Thanks very much Mick and all of the contributors.

Here is a 7pc lobster to keep things ticking along.

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smiling-knife that looks great!

Just a couple questions. Is the thing on the bottom tweezers? Also, what is the purpose of the small fork?
 
Thanks very much for the comment wagglebee. On the bottom are two separate tools. The one in back is a thin pricker and the one in front is a file. The little fork is for cigars.
 
smiling-knife said:
Thanks very much for the comment wagglebee. On the bottom are two separate tools. The one in back is a thin pricker and the one in front is a file. The little fork is for cigars.
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VERY cool SK! :thumbup::thumbup:
I would not have known there was a file without your saying.
And man them old boys must of really smoked those stogies down pretty short to need a fork. :eek:
 
Thanks for the response knowtracks. This view shows the file tool better. The file is on the inside. I think it serves as a match striker on the outside.

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smiling-knife said:
Thanks very much for the comment wagglebee. On the bottom are two separate tools. The one in back is a thin pricker and the one in front is a file. The little fork is for cigars.
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Was the fork to somehow hold the cigar or was it for poking a small hole in the cap (which is sometimes done instead of cutting off the end of the cap).
 
Very interesting s-k thank you.

I always thought those forks were some manner of Whelk pick or for spearing jellied-eels:D My surreal imagination:eek:
 
willgoy said:
I always thought those forks were some manner of Whelk pick or for spearing jellied-eels:D My surreal imagination:eek:
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:D eel and mash pie, a classic....

Lovely old Presscot & Milner 7pc there s-k :thumbup:, great quality, a very popular smokers knife pattern.

Never smoked, but I believe the cigar fork is for holding the diminishing cigar stub, so you don't burn your fingers.

Mick :)
 
Thanks for the comment Mick and for answering the question regarding the cigar fork.

To answer Ken's question from a few posts ago if I may. The corkscrew on Mick's knife is a twisted wire variety. That particular example is grooved or 'fluted' which theoretically eases the insertion of the worm. The other main type of construction involves cutting the worm out of a solid steel rod using a lathe. It seems to me that the wire type is more commonly used on old Sheffield pocket knives.
 
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Some more great knives Gents, thanks.
Here's an I*XL swell center whittler with a nice set of stag handles.All blades marked, brass liners and nickel silver bolsters. Circa 1920.

Joe

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SK, willgoy, thanks for the comments.
Here is a small quill knife stamped " George Wostenholm Celebrated". Single quill blade with elongated tang, NS bolsters and brass liners. Circa 1870 - 1890

Joe

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Interesting pattern there Yaro5 :thumbup:
Can you or anyone else tell me the reason for the enlongated tang?
Thanks:D
 
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