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

Campbellclanman said:
How could you ruffle feathers with these outstanding knives my friend.
I say post ‘em up every week !!
Click to expand...
😂 I'll post more soon, unfortunately I didn't save the best for last, but there are a few that aren't too shabby.
Will Power said:
I'd say they were before 1930, the thick, gnarly blackened Stag gives a quality hint (unless some skilled hafter has put some old slabs on but don't think so!) pins, the bolsters, are the knives steel lined or brass ? I suspect the former.

Your previous 'monster' knife is something bizarre...almost like an archeological find :D Why so outlandishly massive and heavy? It demanded a mass of Stag too. You might think it was a piece of cutler's whimsy, making a huge knife for an exhibition or presentation but it has most clearly been used rather than laying idle for decades. Duncan Campbellclanman Campbellclanman is correct that Earle were shipbuilders in Victorian times based in Hull, they were a leading builder in the 1870s the time steam and iron began to take over but were sold in the 1890s after the Earle brothers both died , the new owners kept the name. Due to its massive size yet fancy bolster work this must have been a costly knife at the time and maybe had this maritime connexion, Hull been not so far from Sheffield either, so a knife made for the shipwrights? Possibly, or for one of the engineers actually involved with shipbuilding who wanted a showpiece knife that got used ?

Interesting to speculate but impossible to say so far. However, we in this century often wrongly regard the Victorians as a prissy set of dullards with a prudish queen. Unfortunately, it is true that for many, life was appallingly brutal and exploited in the factories, mills, mines & sweatshops and in the allegedly green and pleasant fields of England's farms. Yet, the Victorians were also a very modern outward looking people, besotted by engineering feats and other wealth making endeavours. The Great Exhibition of 1851 was a national triumph of prowess & skills, embodied by The Crystal Palace, Brunel's bridges and massive steamships like The Great Eastern, huge railway building with lavish hotels in the London stations, developing the Underground train system were embodiments of national vitality . So it could be that Earle refers to a company who wanted a lavish knife commissioned to swell their reputation or to gift to a leading figure . It might have been used in connexion with a very specific trade/skill in construction that has vanished, hence our puzzling over its dimensions. Or not ? Or it might be the name of a shop who sold knives? It might have been made in Germany or America and arrived in England over time but it has that English look to my eye.

Whatever, it is a very interesting, extraordinary piece and worthy of contemplation :cool::thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thanks, Will. I enjoyed your thoughts on the possibilities, I like the way you think. 👍 I agree, it definitely has an English look. Yes, the 2 Johnson Western Works have steel liners.
Jack Black said:
That's exceptional stag Rob ❤️👍
Click to expand...
Thanks, Jack 👍
 
Volunteer Cutlery Co. Sheffield English Jack. Im not too sure of its age. Tweedale shows no information on the maker. I read that its possible that Volunteer Cutlery Co. was owned by a French firm with a store front in Sheffield for assembly. Nonetheless its still a well made jack.
20251123-170234.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20251123_170102.jpg
    20251123_170102.jpg
    154.6 KB · Views: 1
  • 20251123_170118.jpg
    20251123_170118.jpg
    162.2 KB · Views: 1
  • 20251123_170143.jpg
    20251123_170143.jpg
    157.3 KB · Views: 1
  • 20251123_170035.jpg
    20251123_170035.jpg
    333.9 KB · Views: 1
WinMag775 WinMag775 Interesting example, what size is this please? I suspect a large knife as the secondary blade carries an unusual long pull too? It's certainly not a French style pattern though, even if the ownership was French. The French had their own interpretation of Sheffield knives in the form of the Pradel knife, usually single blade long handled and long bladed Spear type.

I have seen that this company, Volunteer, Sheffield stamped, made cut throat razors with suggested dates in the late c19th.

Thanks, Will
 
Will Power said:
WinMag775 WinMag775 Interesting example, what size is this please? I suspect a large knife as the secondary blade carries an unusual long pull too? It's certainly not a French style pattern though, even if the ownership was French. The French had their own interpretation of Sheffield knives in the form of the Pradel knife, usually single blade long handled and long bladed Spear type.

I have seen that this company, Volunteer, Sheffield stamped, made cut throat razors with suggested dates in the late c19th.

Thanks, Will
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info Will. Its 3.75in, OAL 6 inches.
 
I always thought the flush joint on Lambsfoot foot knives was a standard size. I have several 4" and 3 1/2" examples with all sharing the same size bolsters. This 3 1/2" Lamb proved me wrong. It has a tiny bolster, thinner and shorter than the normal size, the blade stock is the same thickness, but the smaller bolster allows for an overall thinner knife. The best I can make of the tang stamp is "English Cutlery".
Jack Black Jack Black Jack, if you think the gang over in the Lambsfoot thread would be interested I'll post there as well. They seem more into modern Lambsfoot knives, that thread is a blur! I can't keep up.

20260218_173610.jpg20260218_173420.jpg20260218_173244.jpg20260218_173414.jpg20260218_181153.jpg20260210_163209.jpg20260210_163232.jpg
 
rockman0 said:
I always thought the flush joint on Lambsfoot foot knives was a standard size. I have several 4" and 3 1/2" examples with all sharing the same size bolsters. This 3 1/2" Lamb proved me wrong. It has a tiny bolster, thinner and shorter than the normal size, the blade stock is the same thickness, but the smaller bolster allows for an overall thinner knife. The best I can make of the tang stamp is "English Cutlery".
Jack Black Jack Black Jack, if you think the gang over in the Lambsfoot thread would be interested I'll post there as well. They seem more into modern Lambsfoot knives, that thread is a blur! I can't keep up.

View attachment 3110150View attachment 3110151View attachment 3110152View attachment 3110153View attachment 3110164View attachment 3110167View attachment 3110168
Click to expand...
Nice old Lambs, Rob!! Is the wider knife marked Thomas Joiner & Co (over) Sheffield - - Encore???
 
rockman0 said:
I always thought the flush joint on Lambsfoot foot knives was a standard size. I have several 4" and 3 1/2" examples with all sharing the same size bolsters. This 3 1/2" Lamb proved me wrong. It has a tiny bolster, thinner and shorter than the normal size, the blade stock is the same thickness, but the smaller bolster allows for an overall thinner knife. The best I can make of the tang stamp is "English Cutlery".
Jack Black Jack Black Jack, if you think the gang over in the Lambsfoot thread would be interested I'll post there as well. They seem more into modern Lambsfoot knives, that thread is a blur! I can't keep up.

View attachment 3110150View attachment 3110151View attachment 3110152View attachment 3110153View attachment 3110164View attachment 3110167View attachment 3110168
Click to expand...
Those beauties would be most welcome in the Guardians thread Rob 🙂👍

So far, I'm afraid I've not been able to find a listing for your Earle-marked knife, but will drop you a PM my friend 👍
 
Jack Black said:
Those beauties would be most welcome in the Guardians thread Rob 🙂👍

So far, I'm afraid I've not been able to find a listing for your Earle-marked knife, but will drop you a PM my friend 👍
Click to expand...
Sounds good, Jack. I look forward to your PM :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top