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

[LongBlade]

Found a few more as I check to see what I never posted - no doubt more coming -

Here's a Thomas Fenton boys knife (2 & 3/4" closed) with original box - the old Sheffield cutlery boxes are probably harder to find than the knives ...

 

[Will Power]

Beautiful colour and design on that box, lot of atmosphere

 

[Jack Black]

Found a few more as I check to see what I never posted - no doubt more coming -

Here's a Thomas Fenton boys knife (2 & 3/4" closed) with original box - the old Sheffield cutlery boxes are probably harder to find than the knives ...

What a treasure Lee You are right about the boxes

(I thought I'd posted this earlier )

 

[LongBlade]

Thanks Will and Jack - much appreciated! ...

 

[Mike Robuck]

That is a nice knife and cool box! Now I have to look for boxes. (I hope I live long enough to find one.)

 

[Jack Black]

That is a nice knife and cool box! Now I have to look for boxes. (I hope I live long enough to find one.)

I see a lot of table cutlery boxes, but only a few pocket knife boxes, particularly ones of that vintage. Often the stupid 'antique dealers'/market-traders throw them away

 

[LongBlade]

That is a nice knife and cool box! Now I have to look for boxes. (I hope I live long enough to find one.)

Thanks Mike ... Good luck looking for the boxes Mike .. I seemed to stumble on the cutlery boxes when I am not looking but the few I have are from American Cutleries (CT and MA) and this is my only Sheffield box ....

 

[Mike Robuck]

I see a lot of table cutlery boxes, but only a few pocket knife boxes, particularly ones of that vintage. Often the stupid 'antique dealers'/market-traders throw them away

If anyone is going to find them, it will be you! I enjoy the pictures of old Sheffield company buildings that you post. After paying for vintage catalog reprints, I started saving new catalogs instead of tossing them.

Lee, I have a few vintage American knife boxes (and one German) but when I do go looking for them I'm taken back by the prices for them on eBay.

 

[Jack Black]

If anyone is going to find them, it will be you! I enjoy the pictures of old Sheffield company buildings that you post. After paying for vintage catalog reprints, I started saving new catalogs instead of tossing them.

Thanks Mike, I'm afraid my 'hunting expeditions' have been severely curtailed this year, but I've not given up! Thank you very much, that's a good idea

 

[herder]

Jack, nice to see those unique Scout knives, and that Haywood is very attractive. The pearl Brooksbank is also quite a looker.
As far as the stainless steel history goes, I just read an interesting article which stated that archaeologists recently found some 1000 year old persian metal which was an early form of chromium (stainless) steel.
Other history shows that a Frenchman named Louis Vauquelin presented his form of chromium steel in 1798. Both English and German steelmakers were using a form of chromium steel in the 1840s and 1850s, but it was certainly Harry Brearley who is credited for developing our modern era chromium-based stainless steel.

LongBlade, interesting to see pressed horn on that Sheffield-made Haywood knife of yours, when most pressed horn is found on cutlery from other European countries. (I believe you meant Haywood, not Hayward)
Enclosed is a picture comparing two similar knives with diamond pattern horn handles, one carved (filed), and one pressed. The carved model on the left is Sheffield-made, while the handle on the right is pressed horn and a product of Czechoslovakia. The visual difference between the two is very obvious. The carved handles are sharp and concise, while the pressed handles have rounded edges and look as though they were press formed.
And a very nice Thomas Fenton box accompanying that Fenton boy's knife.

Also enclosed is a stag whittler and box from Southern & Richardson of Sheffield.

View attachment 1426413

View attachment 1426414

 

[Will Power]

That's a LONG Shadow Stag Fine box too

 

[Campbellclanman]

gorgeous Knives everyone! Love this Thread, GREAT to see our friend Herder posting up his wonderful Knives - and arent those above just supreme! Wonderful examples Herder!

Lovely Examples shown too Jack - and thank you for the in-depth posts you posted- Thats a lot of work, and I just want you to know I appreciate that very much as do our fellow friends here!

Interesting about the Chequered Handles, yse the pressed do show their signs, here is an old Brooks Knife Two small fine Pen Blades survived- the others alas - they did not, but I picked this up mainly because I like early Sheffield Stamps, and the Handles on this example are in my opinion just gorgeous!
I believe this is Horn and this has definitely been Filed or cut - At first you would be forgiven to think this Knife had Bakelite Handles- but the Knife is heavier than this and the Horn has been quite dry for some time....

 

[Campbellclanman]

It was interesting to see posts earlier concerning Stainless Blades from Sheffield, I picked up this wee Knife the other day because I liked the way the Knife was stamped and the Stainless Etching, the photos make this Knife to be way more scratchier than to the Human eye when holding the Knife, unfortunaltely a wee bit of Tortoise Shell has came away from one end pin...
On one of the Tangs the Joseph Rodgers crosses go the opposite as does a stamp on the other- I just thought that this was a little dif

ferent, I have see smaller Knives with the Fonts and Crosses still running the normal direction across the tangs, certainly not worth placing in a Joseph Rodgers exhibition Book, but I think its just that tiny bit too good to go past.

Nice Fiery Gold Leaf behind the Shell!

Pile side Main..

Mark Side..Cutlers to His Majesty 20's 30's era I think?

Pen Blade Pile Side..

Pen, Mark Side...

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, nice to see those unique Scout knives, and that Haywood is very attractive. The pearl Brooksbank is also quite a looker.
As far as the stainless steel history goes, I just read an interesting article which stated that archaeologists recently found some 1000 year old persian metal which was an early form of chromium (stainless) steel.
Other history shows that a Frenchman named Louis Vauquelin presented his form of chromium steel in 1798. Both English and German steelmakers were using a form of chromium steel in the 1840s and 1850s, but it was certainly Harry Brearley who is credited for developing our modern era chromium-based stainless steel.

LongBlade, interesting to see pressed horn on that Sheffield-made Haywood knife of yours, when most pressed horn is found on cutlery from other European countries. (I believe you meant Haywood, not Hayward)
Enclosed is a picture comparing two similar knives with diamond pattern horn handles, one carved (filed), and one pressed. The carved model on the left is Sheffield-made, while the handle on the right is pressed horn and a product of Czechoslovakia. The visual difference between the two is very obvious. The carved handles are sharp and concise, while the pressed handles have rounded edges and look as though they were press formed.
And a very nice Thomas Fenton box accompanying that Fenton boy's knife.

Also enclosed is a stag whittler and box from Southern & Richardson of Sheffield.

View attachment 1426413

View attachment 1426414

Thanks pal, I always enjoy your photos, you have a wonderful collrction Great comparison pic, and a lovely Whittler I picked up this old Shadow-pattern Whittler years ago, but unfortunately it had been heavily cleaned, and if there was ever a stamp, I can't see it now

gorgeous Knives everyone! Love this Thread, GREAT to see our friend Herder posting up his wonderful Knives - and arent those above just supreme! Wonderful examples Herder!

Lovely Examples shown too Jack - and thank you for the in-depth posts you posted- Thats a lot of work, and I just want you to know I appreciate that very much as do our fellow friends here!

Interesting about the Chequered Handles, yse the pressed do show their signs, here is an old Brooks Knife Two small fine Pen Blades survived- the others alas - they did not, but I picked this up mainly because I like early Sheffield Stamps, and the Handles on this example are in my opinion just gorgeous!
I believe this is Horn and this has definitely been Filed or cut - At first you would be forgiven to think this Knife had Bakelite Handles- but the Knife is heavier than this and the Horn has been quite dry for some time....

Thank you very much Duncan, I imagine that many small cutlers might have had to cut the horn rather than pressing it since they only had minimal equipment. I have seen Stan checkering wood, and he is incredibly fast at it I think that's a lovely knife, and I will also pick up an imperfect knife, simply to have a look at the tang stamp. My first Brookes and Crookes has only one remaining blade (of 3), but is otherwise well-made, and free from defects despite the prior abuse.

Here's a Brookes & Crookes Angler's Knife in slightly better condition

It was interesting to see posts earlier concerning Stainless Blades from Sheffield, I picked up this wee Knife the other day because I liked the way the Knife was stamped and the Stainless Etching, the photos make this Knife to be way more scratchier than to the Human eye when holding the Knife, unfortunaltely a wee bit of Tortoise Shell has came away from one end pin...
On one of the Tangs the Joseph Rodgers crosses go the opposite as does a stamp on the other- I just thought that this was a little dif

ferent, I have see smaller Knives with the Fonts and Crosses still running the normal direction across the tangs, certainly not worth placing in a Joseph Rodgers exhibition Book, but I think its just that tiny bit too good to go past.

Nice Fiery Gold Leaf behind the Shell!

Pile side Main..

Mark Side..Cutlers to His Majesty 20's 30's era I think?

Pen Blade Pile Side..

Pen, Mark Side...

That's a lovely knife Duncan, what a shame about the flaw This Joseph Rodgers Penknife also has the early Rodgers Stainless stamp, and similar damage to the (ivory) covers)

 

[Jack Black]

I was rummaging around looking for some old cutlery boxes, and came across some old early stainless and pre-stainless table cutlery. Bearing in mind, the recent discussion, I thought some pics might be of interest. I have more of course, not to mention what's in my kitchen

This pair don't actually go together, but note the 'Cutler's Thumbprint' on the Butler Table Knife, and the scratted bone (also called 'Forbuck') on the fork.

Table Knives from Federated Cutlers, Mappin & Webb, Isaac Ellis & Sons, Yorkshire Steel Co., and Abram Brooksbank.

A pre-stainless child's cutlery set by M. Hunter & Son.

An Edwardian Table Knife by Joseph Rodgers.

Stainless Table Knives made for Dyson & Horsfall.

A stainless Herbert Robinson Table Knife, with their cool 'Grinder' mark.

John Chatterley Stainless Grapefruit Knife.

The Joseph Rodgers Butter Knives I use everyday.

Joseph Rodgers Cake Knife.

A Joseph Rodgers Carving Set. The handles on this one are Staglon, but I have my grandmother's Sambar-handled set in the kitchen drawer

 

[Jack Black]

A Lockwood Brothers Bread Knife with the uncommon Firth-Brearley Stainless stamp.

Here's the Bread Knife I use every day, with the Firth Stainless stamp.

Some pre-stainless Bread Knives.

A Mappin & Webb Tea Set (a mixture of stainless and EPNS)

EPNS Tea Knives

Stainless Table Knives by Sheffield Steel Products, TEW, and Humphrey's Radiant.

Stainless Tea Knives by Thomas Ward & Sons, (where my Great Grandfather worked).

Stainless Table Knives by William Wheatley.

Two contrasting stainless knives by William Rodgers. The top knife has the Firth Stainless stamp, while the lower knife just has an etch, with the Firth-Brearley mark.

I think these William Rodgers stainless Table Knives are later, but I've included them for comparison purposes.

A stainless Carving set by 'Hawkedge'.

Pre-stainless Carving Sets by John Wigfall and Joseph Elliot.

 

[danno50]

A lot of good stuff posted in the last few days.
Lee - nice to see your example of pressed horn on the Joseph Haywood knife. Nice Fenton boy's knife/box combo, both appear to be in fairly good condition.
Jack - lots of nice knives posted. Very interesting bolsters on the Albert Oates. I really like the Brooks & Crookes angler's knife. Great collection of table cutlery with boxes, carving sets and bread knives.
herder - thanks very much for posting the comparison between carved/filed horn and pressed horn in the diamond pattern. Beautiful Southern & Richardson shadow whittler/box combination!
Duncan - nice example of carved diamond pattern horn on your Brooks & Crookes congress, too bad about the broken blades. Lovely little Rodgers with the Stainless etch.

 

[LongBlade]

Jack, nice to see those unique Scout knives, and that Haywood is very attractive. The pearl Brooksbank is also quite a looker.
As far as the stainless steel history goes, I just read an interesting article which stated that archaeologists recently found some 1000 year old persian metal which was an early form of chromium (stainless) steel.
Other history shows that a Frenchman named Louis Vauquelin presented his form of chromium steel in 1798. Both English and German steelmakers were using a form of chromium steel in the 1840s and 1850s, but it was certainly Harry Brearley who is credited for developing our modern era chromium-based stainless steel.

LongBlade, interesting to see pressed horn on that Sheffield-made Haywood knife of yours, when most pressed horn is found on cutlery from other European countries. (I believe you meant Haywood, not Hayward)
Enclosed is a picture comparing two similar knives with diamond pattern horn handles, one carved (filed), and one pressed. The carved model on the left is Sheffield-made, while the handle on the right is pressed horn and a product of Czechoslovakia. The visual difference between the two is very obvious. The carved handles are sharp and concise, while the pressed handles have rounded edges and look as though they were press formed.
And a very nice Thomas Fenton box accompanying that Fenton boy's knife.

Also enclosed is a stag whittler and box from Southern & Richardson of Sheffield.

View attachment 1426413

View attachment 1426414

Thanks Herder - I went back and edited Hayward to the correct Haywood ... and nice additions!!

It was interesting to see posts earlier concerning Stainless Blades from Sheffield, I picked up this wee Knife the other day because I liked the way the Knife was stamped and the Stainless Etching, the photos make this Knife to be way more scratchier than to the Human eye when holding the Knife, unfortunaltely a wee bit of Tortoise Shell has came away from one end pin...
On one of the Tangs the Joseph Rodgers crosses go the opposite as does a stamp on the other- I just thought that this was a little dif

ferent, I have see smaller Knives with the Fonts and Crosses still running the normal direction across the tangs, certainly not worth placing in a Joseph Rodgers exhibition Book, but I think its just that tiny bit too good to go past.

Nice Fiery Gold Leaf behind the Shell!

Pile side Main..

Mark Side..Cutlers to His Majesty 20's 30's era I think?

Pen Blade Pile Side..

Pen, Mark Side...

Nice showing of knives Duncan ...

Thanks pal, I always enjoy your photos, you have a wonderful collrction Great comparison pic, and a lovely Whittler I picked up this old Shadow-pattern Whittler years ago, but unfortunately it had been heavily cleaned, and if there was ever a stamp, I can't see it now

Thank you very much Duncan, I imagine that many small cutlers might have had to cut the horn rather than pressing it since they only had minimal equipment. I have seen Stan checkering wood, and he is incredibly fast at it I think that's a lovely knife, and I will also pick up an imperfect knife, simply to have a look at the tang stamp. My first Brookes and Crookes has only one remaining blade (of 3), but is otherwise well-made, and free from defects despite the prior abuse.

Here's a Brookes & Crookes Angler's Knife in slightly better condition

That's a lovely knife Duncan, what a shame about the flaw This Joseph Rodgers Penknife also has the early Rodgers Stainless stamp, and similar damage to the (ivory) covers)

Wonderful knives Jack ... and quite a collection of table cutlery ...

 

[LongBlade]

Given I saw Jack's Wigfall cutlery I thought I should share this John Wigfall (Bona-fide) skinner ...

Here's another knife I found among unposted possibilities for the thread - J Copley & Sons Sheffield - Nice ivory pen at 3"... Copley was a pen and pocket knife maker but was especially well known for Bowies in mid 1800s...

 

[Campbellclanman]

Great showing of Table Cutlery Jack - I love it!!
Also - once again great examples of your Sheffield pocket knives as well my friend!
Thanks Dan matey.

Long blade - I like that old Skinner - interesting Pin pattern.
Liking that great old Copley as well !!!