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

That's a fine Pen, interesting coined Rat-Tail bolsters? If that's the word?

The Forum Knife 13 looks a bit like that too.....

Thanks, Will
 
This is a very similar knife.

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Three smart knives there Brad, I suspect that particular Senator pattern was very popular back in its day, lovely quality. Looks like a possible finger print mark/blemish ? on the otherwise minty budding knife. Not sure about the age of the W Rodgers, I can never tell with their knives, a really dandy thing..thanks for showing..

Looks almost identical Steve..another nice example :thumbup:

Mick
 
smiling-knife said:
This is a very similar knife.

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S-K it looks as though they could be twins! I could not find England stamped on mine anywhere. Yours? I know this is not a definitive answer to age just curious.


wellington said:
Three smart knives there Brad, I suspect that particular Senator pattern was very popular back in its day, lovely quality. Looks like a possible finger print mark/blemish ? on the otherwise minty budding knife. Not sure about the age of the W Rodgers, I can never tell with their knives, a really dandy thing..thanks for showing..

Looks almost identical Steve..another nice example :thumbup:

Mick
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Mick, upon close inspection that smudge does appear to be a fingerprint. You can see what looks like the sworls, I believe they are called, in the mark. I suppose someone with those types of skin oils/acids pinched it and put it away for awhile. Otherwise it is indeed near mint. Very creamy ivory but I cannot photograph that well!

The only thing about the Senator that is a bit different is the size. Most of them I encounter are a tad smaller. I actually like this size better. Especially if I were to use it.

Any idea why so many of the older Sheffields are scaled in pearl? At least this seems to be the case.
 
Here are a couple of interesting examples made by J. Nowill & Sons for IRT (I've posted these in another thread, so please indulge me if you've already seen them)...

Small Skinner:








Medium Bowie:






Large Bowie:



 
Thanks for the comments. Here is an elegant 2 blade pen knife marked VULCAN /Ellin & Co. / Sheffield c. 1850. 3 3/8" long, milled brass liners and gold washed interior and exterior (once).

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I know that Stan worked for I*XL in his time - I wonder if he had something to do with that gorgeous knife - sorry...just thinking aloud ( with my fingers )
 
Wow Charles.. that's a super looking penknife in great condition with lovely looking gilded firework..very nice indeed.

I believe the snakeback (I think that's what it's called over here ?) type work backing on the fine 4 blade Wosty Senator was done with a small thin wheel and could be called 'wheel work'


Mick
 
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wellington said:
Wow Charles.. that's a super ...I believe the snakeback (I think that's what it's called over here ?) type work backing on the fine 4 blade Wosty Senator was done with a small thin wheel and could be called 'wheel work'
Mick
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Mick I am liking that phrase, "wheel work". I have been doing some research the last couple of years on the early American knife making companies and often run into the phrase, "spring knives", being used in place of slip joints and I find that rather appealing also. Is that a term you have encountered over there?

Almost forgot: Super knife Charles!
 
Brad, I too rather like the older terms used by the trade in yesteryear. The terms spring-knife & wheel-work were both used on this side of the pond.. slip-joint was not.

Mick
 
wellington said:
Brad, I too rather like the older terms used by the trade in yesteryear. The terms spring-knife & wheel-work were both used on this side of the pond.. slip-joint was not.

Mick
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Thanks Mick. I rather thought so as most of the early cutlers in America, maybe not the owners, but certainly the workers, had Sheffield backgrounds.
 
Mick and Brad thanks for your comments and the conversation on terminology. I pulled out a few of my knives and ask John to take some of his outstanding photos cause they really make these knives come alive. Thrilled to be able to share them on this special thread.
Charles
 
W.SINGLETON & CO / 10 BAKERSHILL / SHEFFIELD (Tang Stamp)

I can find no information to go with this particular stamp. Could this have been Singleton and Priestman?

There is a lot of knife packed into 2 5/8" on this one. I just cannot get it photographed well. Everything works nicely. Throughs are gold washed as was the corkscrew and awl. Liners are coined.

Can anyone tell me about the pull out. I have not seen one like this before. Inside the handle there were also four needles. I cannot say they are original but they are not made the way needles are today.

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Thanks, it looked like the tabs were to hold the drawer pull in place. Maybe Mick can add his comments.

Charles
 
chuko said:
Thanks, it looked like the tabs were to hold the drawer pull in place. Maybe Mick can add his comments.

Charles
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Charles I suspect this is correct to a degree. I just wonder what those notches are all about on the inside part of the prong. I don't sew per say but could they have something to do with threading a needle? And why gold washed? Decoration for something hidden? Being such a small knife was it meant to be a ladies knife? I suspect the corkscrew for example is more appropriate for a perfume bottle as it is only about 1" in length. Anyhow, hopefully Mick or S-K have some insight. Thank you for your input.
 
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