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

Even the atrocities can't mask its quality.

Fine, very fine knife. As to the damage, well decades after 'Fitzgerald' it might've been disdained as being that 'old fashioned thing' and put in the tool drawer to be banged about ugly. Or even given to a small child to bang and perhaps do some teething on! You never know...

I know you might look aghast at this, but a top maker could probably re-shod that in some quality Tortoise and gold-leaf.
 
willgoy said:
Even the atrocities can't mask its quality.

Fine, very fine knife. As to the damage, well decades after 'Fitzgerald' it might've been disdained as being that 'old fashioned thing' and put in the tool drawer to be banged about ugly. Or even given to a small child to bang and perhaps do some teething on! You never know...

I know you might look aghast at this, but a top maker could probably re-shod that in some quality Tortoise and gold-leaf.
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Willgoy, sorry my response has been so slow on your post. I have been incredibly busy with ranching season and then some travel. Any of your scenarios are quite possible. I am just happy that the damages are mainly cosmetic and that mechanically the knife is still in great condition. I wrestled with the re-covering quite a bit as I would not want any knife to someday be passed off as original when it is not. Way too many of those floating around! I have finally decided to have this knife re-covered in some fine pink pearl and give it to my wife. As far as I can find Sheffield did not use this material. There will be an additional mark put inside somewhere to indicate the modification.
 
And while I have some of you looking I will add my latest acquisition to this great thread:

Wostenholm I*XL Celebrated 3 3/8" Senator

This knife is featured on pages 136 and 137 of the "Sheffield Exhibition Knives" , Claussen, Watts and McMickle, book. It is still in mint condition.

Match-striker pulls, fancy file-work, square eased-edge bolsters and exhibition grade stag all in a nice leather covered case.

I was quite fortunate to have been given the opportunity to acquire this example from among the finest knives ever created.

* All images taken from the book "Sheffield Exhibition Knives" done so with publishers permission.

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Find of a lifetime! You are a lucky man, Brad!!
Nice going!
 
I thought I'd contribute to this thread. I think it qualifies. I have no idea on the timeframe.
I really have to buy a copy of Tweedale's Sheffield Knife book.

J. Askham & Son Sheffield.

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Ken K.
 
wlfryjr said:
Wow Brad,amazing acquisition,amazing knife,congratulations...
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Gevonovich said:
What an exquisite piece of history, Brad! Thank you for sharing it with us...what a treat!!!
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Primble said:
I totally agree with you Lyle! :eek::thumbup::)
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chuko said:
Brad, Beautiful just beautiful. Congratulations on a super fine acquisition.
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waynorth said:
Find of a lifetime! You are a lucky man, Brad!!
Nice going!
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Thank you for the kind words guys. I feel blessed and fortunate to be able to be the custodian of this fine piece of cutlery history.
 
Itsasportsbar said:
I thought I'd contribute to this thread. I think it qualifies. I have no idea on the timeframe.
I really have to buy a copy of Tweedale's Sheffield Knife book.

J. Askham & Son Sheffield.

Ken K.
Click to expand...


I would place the knife older than 1890 based on the lack of England appearing on the tang markings but this is not definitive.


A few quotes from Tweedale's Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2010:

John Askham 1818-1894

Originally a partnership Frost, Askham,& Mosforth. Around 1850. Several changes in business and eventually Askham became sole owner in 1855.

" … his products …'adapted…primarily for the United States of America'". Sold primarily through an office in New York City.

Son Frank by 1914 had changed the company to the manufacture of cardboard boxes. Still at Broad Lane Works. Company ceased operation in 1968.

There is about a page of information in the above mentioned book. Way to much for me to type here.

Is there another mark on the pile side of the tang?

Very nice looking example by the way. Thanks for sharing. And yes, it definitely qualifies:thumbup:
 
Brad, thats ( like everyone else has said ) a find of a lifetime, absolutely the top of Sheffield's Offerings, what a scarce lovely knife!! Fantastic, I just LOVE the I*XL case...magnificent!

itsasprtsbar,
I agree with Brad, The knife blade definitely states the knife as being a folding Dirk, thats a beautiful example, what do you think guys this would be more the mid 1850's when such styles were extremely popular to carry.
 
I will echo the statements from the other, what a beauty Brad. I have a a version of the same knife. Mine is bare head with stag. Mine has lots of patina but appears to still have the factory edge. The liners are coined. Perhaps you could show us the file work on yours.

Chris
 
I like those lockbacks Ken and that is one humdinger...I'd like to trade you out of that one.:)
 
Brad, I'm glad you've been busy finding a rarity like that. Excellent idea re-handling the damaged one for your wife, lucky girl! Can't add to what others have said on that Senator, but we are all deeply impressed, a beautiful find, and in a way we all benefit from being able to see it here.

This thread is such a joy to look at and read the comments, a real tonic from everyday worries. That Askham Lockback is a wonderful old used knife, immense character on that stag, literally.

Regards, Will
 
Fantastic knives, you never stop surprising guys. Brad it is museum quality breath taking.
I've been to London last week and found this little one. Not sure what the scales are, might be ivory, or at list French ivory.
Anyway the tang stamp says J U James and Sons Sheffield, and from the little I found I think it ca. 1911-1920 or so. Very nice condition, the blade is full and the spring is crisp.
I like the shadow pattern the the Stainless stamp on the blade. Tad above 3 1/4" close length.
Here are some (bad) photos, I will take better ones soon

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Mike
 
Wow

I've only just found this thread and have just spent a marathon amount of time looking and reading my way through every page .
The beauty of these Sheffield knives is to me just breathtaking .

I posted up some pictures of a knife I recently got my hands on over on another thread and asked if anyone could give me some information about it , but I haven't had much luck .
I have a feeling that the collective knowledge here may be able to help .
These pictures are a repeat of my previous post elsewhere .

The only markings are .

Hornby & Wragg Sheffield .

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Can anyone provide some background for this knife ?
Thanks .

Ken
 
Wragg is a pretty well known name in Sheffield cutlery history. And there are a bunch of Wragg's as well. My reference materials go fairly deep but the only thing I can find is that Hornby & Wragg made some well respected Adelaide style corkscrews in the late 1800's into early 1900's. Sorry, best I can find. There are a few folk that frequent this thread from Great Britain that are quite knowledgeable and likely will be able to shed some light. Good looking knife by the way;)
 
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