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

[Will Power]

Yes they are nice indeed:thumbup:

That lockback could be the CASE/Bose collab for next year

 

[1fartsmella]

I went to an estate sale and all I got was this letter opener.

When I got into my car I noticed th blade was loose, I fiddled around and it came apart. I knew right away they didn't mark letter openers, Looks like I got lucky!

Then I realized this is not the handle, it's the scabbard.

I knew something was missing so I picked up my flash light and went back into the house to find the handle. The 80year old guy who was selling his house told me it was his grandmothers and she never had the handle. After googleing like crazy to find out what the original handle looked like, I emailed pix to a very knowledgeable friend in the NCCA asking if he knew what the handle looked like. He sent me pix from William R Williams booklet "IXL MEANS I EXCEL" here's what he sent

&

Upon closer inspection I found serial #7 stamped into the scabbard.

So If anyone finds the handle with serial #7 please let me know. Barry

 

[waynorth]

No mistaking the handle, if you find it! What an interesting score!!
Great piece!!

 

[KnifeHead]

hmmm...a ceremonial dagger. I don't know if I want to know what kind of ceremony that would be used for. VERY interesting piece...thanks for sharing.

 

[Pipeman]

What a very neat find, congrats and thanks for showing it.

Regards

Robin

 

[Yaro5]

Great find Barry, a real unique item.
Maybe a special order by a masonic lodge, used for some ceremonial purpose.

Joe

 

[wellington]

Hi guys, been a while since I last posted on this thread, hope it's still OK.

Here are a couple of fairly interesting 3 bladed whittlers, guessing made C 1880-90 ?.


Both knives are marked TAYLOR, (eye witness logo*), SHEFFIELD.

(* The TM was registered in 1838, the inspiration for the choice of "Eye Witness" is believed to be Shakespear's line in Henry IV ""no eye hath seen better")

The top knife has stag scales, measures 3 1/2", nickel silver spooned bolsters, brass lined, the pocket blade is stamped "REAL WITNESS KNIFE", it was known as the 1435 pattern, the two bladed version 1073 pattern, it was even made in five blade form, the 1525.

The second knife measures 3 1/4", pearl scales, shadow, brass lined, clean spring inside, polished backs and tangs, the pocket blade is marked "WHARNCLIFFE KNIFE". Nothing too fancy about this knife, no milled liners, filework etc, but very high quality build, excellent, reminds me very much of the JR Norfolks being made at about same time.

This pic shows the T.I.W marks on the two smaller blade tangs (eye logo, Witness, Taylor) not easy to see.

Extra pics of the stag handled knife..

Thanks for looking..Mick

 

[tomcrx]

Thanks Mick

I really like that MOP whittler it is very elegant in it's simplicity. The pinned shield really sets it off.

 

[knifegirl888]

Both knives are terrific. I love the wharncliffe blade on the MOP!

 

[lambertiana]

Mick - Both of those are really nice...I like them!

 

[Will Power]

That stag knife is superb:thumbup:

 

[KnifeHead]

Gorgeous knives! It just occured to me that the small blades on the pearl knife are so delicate, I wonder if a knife like that would actually be used for serious whittling or just making a few shavings at the men's club.

Thank you, Mick.

 

[smiling-knife]

Beautiful knives Mick. Thanks for sharing them.

 

[Mike Robuck]

They are both knockouts, but it would be great to see more of the stag one! Thanks for showing them.

 

[wellington]

Thanks for all of the favourable comments on the two whittlers tomcrx, knifegirl888, lambertiana, willgoy, Kerry, Steve & Mike.

Mike, I'll add a couple of pics of the stag handled one to the original post tomorrow, if it's not raining .



Here's another slightly later 3 blade whittler, marked J BUCK, HOLBORN VIADUCT made C 1900 ish ?, 3 1/4", lovely pearl scales, brass lined, mint, this knife uses a small brass spacer to keep the two smaller blades apart. Almost certainly made in Sheffield for the London retailer.

This whittler's marked I*XL, GEORGE WOSTENHOLM, SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND. C1910-20 ?, measures 3 1/2", ivory scales, brass lined, small spacer to keep the smaller blades apart, carbon, pristine in it's original calf skin leather pouch.

Thanks for looking ..Mick

 

[wagglebee]

Mick the ivory whittler is beautiful!

 

[wellington]

Mick the ivory whittler is beautiful!

Delighted you like the Wosty Rob, I too think it's a great looking thing, the ivory scales perfect, all three blades walk and talk so sweetly, really nice to handle.

Mick

 

[Will Power]

Astonishing build-quality on that Whittler, beautiful proportions with those semi-sunk joints. It is in extraordinary condition and having the pouch to go with it is deeply impressive, especially given your damp English climate! Thanks for posting them, it's an honour to be able to see them.

 

[wagglebee]

Delighted you like the Wosty Rob, I too think it's a great looking thing, the ivory scales perfect, all three blades walk and talk so sweetly, really nice to handle.

Mick

How many of these vintage Sheffields do you actually own Mick?

 

[tomcrx]

That ivory is absolutely stunning.