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

[Jack Black]

Thanks, and sorry to hear that about your subscription. Would you email me that screen shot and I will bring it up to them.
I know that Mark would gladly make things right and hopefully get you back on their mailing list.
If not a mailed subscription, they could certainly give a you a yearly digital subscription.

That's very kind Neal, it was a digital subscription (I love the hard copies, but the clear packaging doesn't go down well here). It was entirely my fault - or that of my failing memory! I'll get round to getting another at some point. Please give Mark my best

 

[Jack Black]

Here's another one out of that tin on my kitchen table, made up for J. Lawson of Glasgow





Anyone else think those look like Lambsfoot blades (as opposed to worn Sheepsfoot and Coping blades)?!

 

[rockman0]

Here's another one out of that tin on my kitchen table, made up for J. Lawson of Glasgow

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Anyone else think those look like Lambsfoot blades (as opposed to worn Sheepsfoot and Coping blades)?!

Jack, it certainly has been sharpened down to a Lambsfoot shape, I believe they start out as a sheepsfoot of a similar size to a large Congress knife. Here's a picture of a Horseman that appears unused, not my knife, just a picture I stole off the net.

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, it certainly has been sharpened down to a Lambsfoot shape, I believe they start out as a sheepsfoot of a similar size to a large Congress knife. Here's a picture of a Horseman that appears unused, not my knife, just a picture I stole off the net.
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Thanks Rob, I think that is generally the case, though I have seen Lambsfoot blades on Sportsman's patterns. This one is actually quite a bit smaller than a Horseman's knife, and in fact they were sold in Sheffield as Boy's Knives Where I got all these knives, I've absolutely no idea! While, they're a bit of a jumble, I've just found another large box, and I think there might be a second one too!

 

[herder]

That's very kind Neal, it was a digital subscription (I love the hard copies, but the clear packaging doesn't go down well here). It was entirely my fault - or that of my failing memory! I'll get round to getting another at some point. Please give Mark my best

That sounds good Jack and I hope you get re-subscribed.
Better yet, some more writing from you for the magazine would be well received.

 

[herder]

Here's another one out of that tin on my kitchen table, made up for J. Lawson of Glasgow

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Anyone else think those look like Lambsfoot blades (as opposed to worn Sheepsfoot and Coping blades)?!

That's a good old knife, but I would lean towards an original sheep foot blade.
While there were a few sportsman/horseman models with lamb foot blades, they were generally only found on smaller models.
Enclosed is a catalog illustration from Makin from the late 1800s showing a lamb foot blade on only the smallest sportsman variation.
The only such lamb foot example shown out of four pages of various sportsman/horseman models.

 

[rockman0]

Thanks Rob, I think that is generally the case, though I have seen Lambsfoot blades on Sportsman's patterns. This one is actually quite a bit smaller than a Horseman's knife, and in fact they were sold in Sheffield as Boy's Knives Where I got all these knives, I've absolutely no idea! While, they're a bit of a jumble, I've just found another large box, and I think there might be a second one too!

Ah, I'll keep an eye out for one with a Lambsfoot blade, that would be an interesting addition to my collection. Looking forward to seeing the contents of the large box

 

[Jack Black]

That sounds good Jack and I hope you get re-subscribed.
Better yet, some more writing from you for the magazine would be well received.

Thank you Neal, I do have a piece I've been meaning to send Mark...for 2 or 3 years!

That's a good old knife, but I would lean towards an original sheep foot blade.
While there were a few sportsman/horseman models with lamb foot blades, they were generally only found on smaller models.
Enclosed is a catalog illustration from Makin from the late 1800s showing a lamb foot blade on only the smallest sportsman variation.
The only such lamb foot example shown out of four pages of various sportsman/horseman models.

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Thank you for that wonderful cut The Lawson knife is 3 1/2"

I have this John Watts Horseman's Knife kicking around somewhere, which I think is about the same size

Ah, I'll keep an eye out for one with a Lambsfoot blade, that would be an interesting addition to my collection. Looking forward to seeing the contents of the large box

Definitely Rob There looks to be a lot of rusty old Richards knives in there, but it's a large shoe box containing a lot of stuff!

 

[Jack Black]

Here's an interesting little knife...







I knew immediately that the blade etch had absolutely nothing to do with Spain, and everything to do with Sheffield's famous Toledo Steel Works, which I had been familiar with since I was a boy. It was at the end of my grandparent's street, and my father, grandmother, and great grandmother, grew up in its shadow. When I could eventually read the tang stamp though, I quickly discovered that J H Andrew was a steel man, rather than a cutler, and in fact he had founded the Toledo Works. John Henry Andrew (born 1824) COULD have been a cutler though, as after leaving school, he was apprenticed to Wilson & Southern, cutlery manufacturers. He appears not to have completed the apprenticeship, and it expired. Instead, in 1846, he went into partnership with Richard Groves & Sons, manufacturer of saws, files and edge tools. He continued with the firm for 16 years, before setting up in business on his own as John H Andrew & Co, steel manufacturer, at Malinda Works. The works soon proved too small, and in 1863 he commenced building the Toledo Steel Works at Neepsend (or Hillfoot) in Sheffield. He is said to have crossed the Atlantic more than 60 times on the firm’s business. He retired in 1882, leaving his 3 sons to manage the business. He died in 1884. In 1898 the company became Limited, and in 1929, Andrew’s Toledo.

The Toledo Works manufactured a great many steel products, but were never listed as a manufacturer of cutlery, of any sort. I suspect these knives were made for the company, perhaps for Mr Andrew to take with him, when he travelled across the Atlantic on the firm's business, to give to clients, friends, and perhaps employees. Probably quite a rare knife though I would think.

 

[Jack Black]

Almost overlooked this wee Joseph Rodgers Pen, which was also in the tin

 

[rockman0]

Two more in horn. A small Lambsfoot 3 5/16" The mark appears to be L.D. Kay over Sheffield


This one is a little bigger at 3 7/16" Albert Oates

 

[Jack Black]

Two more in horn. A small Lambsfoot 3 5/16" The mark appears to be L.D. Kay over Sheffield
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This one is a little bigger at 3 7/16" Albert Oates
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Two more beauties Rob, congratulations

 

[rockman0]

Two more beauties Rob, congratulations

Thanks, Jack I enjoyed your findings on the little Toledo Steel knife. I can't imagine crossing the Atlantic 60 times during the 1800's the man must have spent a third of his time on a boat!

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks, Jack I enjoyed your findings on the little Toledo Steel knife. I can't imagine crossing the Atlantic 60 times during the 1800's the man must have spent a third of his time on a boat!

Thank you Rob, amazing where our love for these old knives takes us Mr Andrew certainly had some stamina!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Wow! What a showing of great oldies from Jack and Rob!

Loving this!

 

[Campbellclanman]

I am hoping that it is ok to put up this Timber Scribe (or Rase knife), being in the Pocket Knife carry shape, and we often see and discuss these at different times.

BIGGS STRATFORD on the Scribers shank.

Really happy with this, it is extremely nice condition, it had a fine red dusting of the slightest surface rust - not yet having a chance to settle in which came off with 0000 Steel Wool and Mineral oil, it needed the easiest of wipes to tell the active rust dust to take a hike

The walk and talk on this is like the day it was made, absolutely true and precise, with no "blade" play.

Stag (imo) is stunning, I took a couple of shots so you could see just how thin it gets - especially near the scribers recess.

I have looked up in Goins and Levine's and have not seen a mention there of this company, be it a merchant or a Cutler, I have found other Cutlery item stamped BIGGS STRATFORD, a Cut Throat Razor etc, a Bread Knife that has established what looks to be 1810 on the blade. but I have yet to have a proper thorough look yet.

At a guess I'm thinking this hails from the 1860, 1870 mark, integral bolsters help me get there with that thought. I love the all steel construction of these oldies - down to where the steel pins stain horn or wood etc- it just adds to the complete history.

This Scriber has seen a gentle life, I am quite rapt that it has found it's way to me here in NZ.

 

[rockman0]

I am hoping that it is ok to put up this Timber Scribe (or Rase knife), being in the Pocket Knife carry shape, and we often see and discuss these at different times.

BIGGS STRATFORD on the Scribers shank.

Really happy with this, it is extremely nice condition, it had a fine red dusting of the slightest surface rust - not yet having a chance to settle in which came off with 0000 Steel Wool and Mineral oil, it needed the easiest of wipes to tell the active rust dust to take a hike

The walk and talk on this is like the day it was made, absolutely true and precise, with no "blade" play.

Stag (imo) is stunning, I took a couple of shots so you could see just how thin it gets - especially near the scribers recess.

I have looked up in Goins and Levine's and have not seen a mention there of this company, be it a merchant or a Cutler, I have found other Cutlery item stamped BIGGS STRATFORD, a Cut Throat Razor etc, a Bread Knife that has established what looks to be 1810 on the blade. but I have yet to have a proper thorough look yet.

At a guess I'm thinking this hails from the 1860, 1870 mark, integral bolsters help me get there with that thought. I love the all steel construction of these oldies - down to where the steel pins stain horn or wood etc- it just adds to the complete history.

This Scriber has seen a gentle life, I am quite rapt that it has found it's way to me here in NZ.

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Wonderful old scribe, Duncan! Beautiful stag, integral bolsters and a flush joint what more could one ask for!

 

[Jack Black]

Nice find Duncan

 

[Campbellclanman]

Thank you Rob and Jack!

 

[herder]

Here's an interesting little knife...

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I knew immediately that the blade etch had absolutely nothing to do with Spain, and everything to do with Sheffield's famous Toledo Steel Works, which I had been familiar with since I was a boy. It was at the end of my grandparent's street, and my father, grandmother, and great grandmother, grew up in its shadow. When I could eventually read the tang stamp though, I quickly discovered that J H Andrew was a steel man, rather than a cutler, and in fact he had founded the Toledo Works. John Henry Andrew (born 1824) COULD have been a cutler though, as after leaving school, he was apprenticed to Wilson & Southern, cutlery manufacturers. He appears not to have completed the apprenticeship, and it expired. Instead, in 1846, he went into partnership with Richard Groves & Sons, manufacturer of saws, files and edge tools. He continued with the firm for 16 years, before setting up in business on his own as John H Andrew & Co, steel manufacturer, at Malinda Works. The works soon proved too small, and in 1863 he commenced building the Toledo Steel Works at Neepsend (or Hillfoot) in Sheffield. He is said to have crossed the Atlantic more than 60 times on the firm’s business. He retired in 1882, leaving his 3 sons to manage the business. He died in 1884. In 1898 the company became Limited, and in 1929, Andrew’s Toledo.

The Toledo Works manufactured a great many steel products, but were never listed as a manufacturer of cutlery, of any sort. I suspect these knives were made for the company, perhaps for Mr Andrew to take with him, when he travelled across the Atlantic on the firm's business, to give to clients, friends, and perhaps employees. Probably quite a rare knife though I would think.

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Jack, neat knife and great write up on this Toledo knife.
Always wonderful to see the paperwork that supports these fine old knives.