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

Beautiful knives, Charles. Is it not a Norfolk pattern? I've seen examples of fruit knives with a single ivory blade that had a similar handle shape.
 
After finding the Westby with the sterling blade I assumed the Brooks and Crooks ivory and the Westby sterling were both knives with fruit blades, but that is an assumption on my part.

Mike when I held that Innocent & sons in my hand at the Tulsa show last year I made up my mind I could not let it get away. So much nicer in person than any picture I can show.
Charles
 
Anybody know the name of this style knife? Charles.......In Levine's Guide this pattern is referred to as a "Swell Center Serpentine". Very similar to a "Norfolk" Knife. Your knives are true beauties. Thanks for sharing, Barry
 
Firstly I must apologise for my absence..I've really been struggling to access this site of late.. technical gliches, I guess ??.

Charles, many thanks for posting all those fine knives, great to see. Lovely looking Innocent & Sons, I seem to recall Geoff Tweedale dating the firm back to the 1860s..an early(ish) knife in super condition. The two 'three thick' pocket knives look excellent, sometimes those kind of knives are referred to as 'five blade whittlers' (US) (always seem to be top of the line quality). Could the Brookes & Crookes ivory blade be a page turner ?. I have some factory notes with a few of these knives in...I'll have a look and see what they say.

Mick
 
Mick, we've missed you - hope the technical problems are resolved and we'll be hearing from you often.:thumbup:
 
Mick: I was hoping to hear from you when I posted my knives. I'm really interested in what you can tell me about the Brookes and Crookes as well as the Westby. They are basically the same patterns except for size and the smaller Westby has a sterling silver blade instead of ivory. I have no resource that mentions this pattern, so I look forward to any additional information you may have. Charles

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Charles, i have a couple of vintage single blade folding knives with ivory handles an an ivory blade. My understanding is that they are page turners or openers. Books back then had the pages folded over and had to be slit along the crease to read them.
I think a thin ivory blade is not hard enough to cut some common fruits, such as the skin of an orange.
roland
 
Roland , thanks for the information.
The page turner is a new subject to me but, the idea of an opener was my first thought when I found the knife. The interesting point is the Westby with a sterling silver blade and those I've understood were usually fruit knives. Would the Westby also be a page turner/opener? I find the construction of these 2 very similar and very high quality knives to be a curiosity, does the knife design have a specific name?
Charles
 
chuko said:
Mick: I'm really interested in what you can tell me about the Brookes and Crookes as well as the Westby. They are basically the same patterns except for size and the smaller Westby has a sterling silver blade instead of ivory. I have no resource that mentions this pattern, so I look forward to any additional information you may have. Charles

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Hi Charles,

Had a look through some old cost books and catalogues, knives such as your Brookes and Crookes, Westby and others similar, having a long centre blade and four others, were usually described as 'five bladed knives' usually they're top quality, often worked backed etc.

The Brookes and Crookes and Westby look like they're made to common (town) patterns, one has an ivory page turner ( I think ?), the latter one has the silver fruit cutting blade.

Makers sometimes specialised in making certain types of knives. Identicle knives with different stampings/makers marks could have been made by the same maker...


Mick
 
Aaaaah, an Ivory page turner.... Thank you Mick, its amazing when someone of knowledge tells us or hints to what that item may be, and suddenly you see it... Thank you for that. :thumbup:
 
^^ A nice little two bladed Rodgers there Charles, a 'ladies' penknife..maybe ?.

I was always told a 'Congress' pattern knife, whether 2, 3, 4, 5 etc blades..always had/has a sheepfoot masterblade..

Mick
 
^^ That's a dandy little jackknife Charles.. John Petty & Sons Perth Works used to stand nr the top of Garden St, on the right (next to Stan Shaw's old workshop).. apparently the place was stripped bare before it was pulled down, lots of catalogues, calling cards and other Petty, Gregory and Mills related ephemera came from there..

Mick
 
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