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

[herder]

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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Duncan, very cool example of a unique folder.
"Biggs, William" is listed at "Stratford Broadway 1846 - 1855" and again as "Biggs, William & Sons" at "122 The Grove, Stratford 1925 - 1940".
I believe your example is from the later time period.
This information is from "The London Knife Book" by Ron Flook.
Great stag on that very nice timber scribe.

 

[herder]

Here is a knife from the Eugene knife show this past weekend.
It's a single blade folder with attractive stag handles by "T. Ellin & Co."
Their "Vulcan" trademark is seen stamped above the Ellin name.
It also has a neat stamp on the blade which reads "Fishermans Knife" inside a fish.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Thank you Herder.

That’s a nice pick up from the Eugene show my friend.
Man!! Has it ever had a day of work? It doesn’t seem like it! Fantastic pick up!

 

[Jack Black]

Here is a knife from the Eugene knife show this past weekend.
It's a single blade folder with attractive stag handles by "T. Ellin & Co."
Their "Vulcan" trademark is seen stamped above the Ellin name.
It also has a neat stamp on the blade which reads "Fishermans Knife" inside a fish.

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Excellent find, I love that etch! It obviously belonged to a Sheffield fisherman (the local rivers were so badly polluted years ago that fish couldn't survive in them)!

 

[Jack Black]

Wee Gent's Knife by Joseph Rodgers, with a surprise on the nail file!

 

[waynorth]

Another knife from the Eugene Show!! A folding Dirk, likely made for a woman's self defense, it has beautiful Pearl (likely repolished), and wonderful lockup and function!!
Perhaps 1830 to 1850!!! Interesting cast silver bottom Bolster; well-fitted knife!! (x?) Barnes, damascus steel cutlery!!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Jack that Joseph Rodgers is great! I remember you posting that a wee while ago with the Wostenholm extra going on! really cool, does that knife look as though it has been repined? I wonder wen the Wostenholm addition came to be?

Charlie, that is quite the stunning piece there, what a amazing pick up!

 

[rockman0]

That's a beautiful dirk,Charlie!

 

[Jack Black]

Another knife from the Eugene Show!! A folding Dirk, likely made for a woman's self defense, it has beautiful Pearl (likely repolished), and wonderful lockup and function!!View attachment 3160756View attachment 3160757View attachment 3160758
Perhaps 1830 to 1850!!! Interesting cast silver bottom Bolster; well-fitted knife!! (x?) Barnes, damascus steel cutlery!!

Very cool Charlie, nice find

 

[Jakeywax31]

Thanks, enabled by Paul@jakeywax31. He loves to help me spend my money.

 

[Jakeywax31]

Here we are Duncan, a Gent's Smoking Knife, a shame some prawn tried sharpening the main blade on the doorstep, as otherwise it's minty

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The folding tamper is pretty cool

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That's a fine example Jack with a neat folding tamping tool.
I wrote an article on pipe smokers knives for "Knife Magazine" that came out a few months back.

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Wow. Neal had asked me if I saw the pipe knives that were posted here and I’m ashamed to say I’m just getting to it. Those two are absolutely amazing.

 

[Jack Black]

Wow. Neal had asked me if I saw the pipe knives that were posted here and I’m ashamed to say I’m just getting to it. Those two are absolutely amazing.

I'd send it you in the post Paul, but shipping ivory carries a 5 year prison sentence and an unlimited fine here now, and I'm too old for the chokey!

 

[danno50]

Another knife from the Eugene Show!! A folding Dirk, likely made for a woman's self defense, it has beautiful Pearl (likely repolished), and wonderful lockup and function!!View attachment 3160756View attachment 3160757View attachment 3160758
Perhaps 1830 to 1850!!! Interesting cast silver bottom Bolster; well-fitted knife!! (x?) Barnes, damascus steel cutlery!!

Lovely dirk, Charlie, great find! I enjoyed handling it in person.

 

[waynorth]

Lovely dirk, Charlie, great find! I enjoyed handling it in person.

Thanks Dan!!! Glad you like it!!!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Here we are Duncan, a Gent's Smoking Knife, a shame some prawn tried sharpening the main blade on the doorstep, as otherwise it's minty

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The folding tamper is pretty cool

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Holy Cow- I missed you posting these Jack- what an absolutely fantastic knife! Man I love it!!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Sorry mate, I hope nobody is too disappointed! Thank you Duncan

Edit - Here's a pic of the box I found

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Well, it looks like I somehow missed a complete page of one of the most awesome threads in BF, Man..how I did this I don't know, PLEASE everyone forgive me because I haven't commented on knives that are so nice that I feel I have to comment on them because they are so amazing!

Thanks Duncan; I agree!! The knife was much used - the blade is worn 1/8" shorter than the "pricker"!!!!
The blade stamp is about 1/2 worn off - but the blade is still quite useful!!

That is one VERY cool knife Charlie, I couldn't be you- I don't think I could leave my knives alone as I wouldn't be able to take them all in ( as in mentally)

Duncan, once your display is complete, please share with us!

You got it Rob, though it will be quite some time before I even start the Kitchen - a few more projects waiting in line before that.

Here we are Duncan, a Gent's Smoking Knife, a shame some prawn tried sharpening the main blade on the doorstep, as otherwise it's minty

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The folding tamper is pretty cool

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That!!! is a stonker of a knife Jack! just WOW factor my friend!!

This tiddler isn't going back By William Staniforth

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Now this one here Jack, would not be going back as a catch and release either if I got hold of it, this issuch a brilliant old knife, I absolutely love these Old Sheffields, What are the Tang stamps on this one Jack Sir?

I've also just posted pics of an interesting old Lambsfoot in the Guardians thread

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Awesome old Sheffield again Jack, please keep them coming!

Also in the box was this Humphrey's Radiant. Shame about the MOP

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Humphrey's Radiant seem to have made some very decnt knives from what I have seen, here's a fantastic example of Sheffield Cutler skill set here.

Speys always make me cringe ! View attachment 3154789View attachment 3154790

Din't Sheffield put out some great Castration Knives- in fact anything in the Husbandry field Sheffield made some beauties! Love the Wood glowing here!

Harry, That's one of my absolute favorite books.

Same! I got Bill to sign mine and he was using the wrong pen, this was in the Leather-bound edition, and he was so apologetic, I said to him please please don't apologise- this is coming from you to me and I am loving it- he wrote a very nice long " signing" to me.
Loved catching up with him, and that was thanks to some great friends.

That's a fine example Jack with a neat folding tamping tool.
I wrote an article on pipe smokers knives for "Knife Magazine" that came out a few months back.

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Oh Boy, now when I see this, the picture alone is extremely inspiring and it tells me just how far I have to go, problem is I am a bit too advanced in age to get to this stage of collecting that we are seeing here- but I am loving this journey !!!

 

[Campbellclanman]

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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This Jack, is such a great educational post- thank you my friend.

 

[Jack Black]

Holy Cow- I missed you posting these Jack- what an absolutely fantastic knife! Man I love it!!

Now this one here Jack, would not be going back as a catch and release either if I got hold of it, this issuch a brilliant old knife, I absolutely love these Old Sheffields, What are the Tang stamps on this one Jack Sir?


Awesome old Sheffield again Jack, please keep them coming!

This Jack, is such a great educational post- thank you my friend.

Thank you for the kind words Duncan, the Fish knife was made by William Thomas Staniforth, and features their 'Ascend' mark

 

[herder]

Wee Gent's Knife by Joseph Rodgers, with a surprise on the nail file!

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Very neat example with two of the best names on one knife.

 

[herder]

Another knife from the Eugene Show!! A folding Dirk, likely made for a woman's self defense, it has beautiful Pearl (likely repolished), and wonderful lockup and function!!View attachment 3160756View attachment 3160757View attachment 3160758
Perhaps 1830 to 1850!!! Interesting cast silver bottom Bolster; well-fitted knife!! (x?) Barnes, damascus steel cutlery!!

I had the great pleasure of handling this exceptional knife in Eugene at dinner.
My only complaint with it is that Charlie wanted me to hand it back...
Beautiful example my friend!!!