Me and Betty Grable

[RDaneel]

This is a Dutch Army Knife from 1974, and apparently in unissued condition. Later DAKs were made by Victorinox, but this one was made by The Dutch cutler AMEFA. A quality item I think :thumbup:



I spent the first ten years of my life learning to count in pounds, shillings, and pence, and then just when I’d thoroughly learned that there were twelve pennies to a shilling, five shillings to a crown, twenty shillings to a pound, and twenty one shillings to a guinea, the smart-ass government came along and put the cat among my maths lessons with decimalisation! So I learned that there were now a hundred new pennies to a pound, and that when you change the language of currency it’s a very convenient way of doubling prices overnight! :grumpy: ‘D Day’ – February 15th 1971 - was a pretty big event in my early life, and despite feeling cheated at the sweet shop, and resentful of the fact I’d had to learn all that olde money stuff for no good reason, my young mind was still dextrous enough to easily do the maths - unlike my elders, who really struggled to learn the new currency. For their enlightenment, currency convertors were printed EVERYWHERE – including this Richards knife, which I actually think is rather cool!

Jack, I admire your knowledge and patience to teach us about all these treasures you find! My two favorites, above, include the original DAK. I've seen (never owned) the Victorinox ones, but never a Dutch AMEFA one. I think I like the Dutch one better.

The currency converter knife is also very interesting. I can imagine pulling out my knife to calculate the price of an item. I started collecting older British coins awhile back and it took me some time to get all the shillings, crowns and pounds straight; not to speak of the florins and guineas! I kind of wish they were still in use. We Americans seem to have our feet firmly stuck in the mud resisting decimalization in our distance, weight and volume measurements; although we started out with a decimal monetary system.

Thanks again for another lesson and walk through of your table treasures.

 

[TsarBomba]

Let two Richards shell knives go this week, I had basically hit my budget but on reflection they didn't go for so much that I couldn't have made some exceptions. :grumpy:

Wonderful photos and information, Jack. I must sheepishly admit ignorance of the Betty Grable reference, however.

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, I admire your knowledge and patience to teach us about all these treasures you find! My two favorites, above, include the original DAK. I've seen (never owned) the Victorinox ones, but never a Dutch AMEFA one. I think I like the Dutch one better.

The currency converter knife is also very interesting. I can imagine pulling out my knife to calculate the price of an item. I started collecting older British coins awhile back and it took me some time to get all the shillings, crowns and pounds straight; not to speak of the florins and guineas! I kind of wish they were still in use. We Americans seem to have our feet firmly stuck in the mud resisting decimalization in our distance, weight and volume measurements; although we started out with a decimal monetary system.

Thanks again for another lesson and walk through of your table treasures.

Thanks a lot Dean, I just rattle away while Photobucket slooowwwwllly uploads the pics! :thumbup:

Since AMEFA are still in business, it's a little surprising the Dutch military decided to go send the contact out of the country. Of course these things happen, and often I'm sure the Vic ones are excellent, just not Dutch

You must let me know if there are any British coins you're after :thumbup: A decimal system is certainly easier to count in, but I'm still "stuck on old money" (as the expression here goes), when it comes to size/weight/volume/length, temperature, etc. I just don't relate to the metric system, even though I can convert, and I dread the day when I can no longer ask for a pound of apples or a pint of beer

Let two Richards shell knives go this week, I had basically hit my budget but on reflection they didn't go for so much that I couldn't have made some exceptions. :grumpy:

Wonderful photos and information, Jack. I must sheepishly admit ignorance of the Betty Grable reference, however.

Often they're not in great shape TB. I pass on quite a lot myself. They were so cheap, people used them hard, and they're not really hard-use knives.

As for Betty Grable - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyming_slang :thumbup:

Edit - Just noticed, with some surprise, that that Wikipedia entry, while not inaccurate, dwells on some aspects of the subject which need to carry a health warning here - it contains language of an 'adult' nature.

 

[Jsega51]

I always love the education Jack! I hope that sign on the shop was meant with humor and there wasn't an unfortunate incident there!

 

[Jack Black]

I always love the education Jack! I hope that sign on the shop was meant with humor and there wasn't an unfortunate incident there!

While made by Benedictine Monks, 'Buckfast' is a notorious drink, known, among other things, as 'Smash Up The Hoose [House] Juice' in parts of Scotland. While not containing a great deal more alcohol than most wine, it contains a large amount of caffeine, which seems to affect people very badly. I've never tasted Buckfast, and was at a party where a young chap I'd met only once previously, introduced me to his girlfriend, who said she'd also never tasted it. She added that she had brought a bottle to the party. Having previously thought that the horror stories I'd heard about Buckfast were exaggerated, I was shocked when I bumped into the young couple an hour or two later, The demure creature I had met before had been transferred into a snarling monster, who swore at both me and her embarrassed boyfriend, and looked as if she was trying to find someone to take a swing at! She was extremely embarrassed when I saw her the following day, but only because her boyfriend had recounted her behaviour the previous night. She herself had no recollection of it! I think I'll give it a miss! :thumbup:

A few Buckfast links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckfast_Tonic_Wine

http://www.theguardian.com/society/...-triangle-alcoholic-drink-monks-west-scotland

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/buckfast-crimewave-revealed-police-figures-1868308

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...Benylin-kick-chorus-line--brush-Buckfast.html

 

[TsarBomba]

Ah, so another example of the linguistic gymnastics of those maddening Cockney folks.

Often they're not in great shape TB. I pass on quite a lot myself. They were so cheap, people used them hard, and they're not really hard-use knives.

I generally treat those knives like I do the shell Imperials. If they catch the eye (and at least one did), I will probably be interested. Unfortunately, a lot of bonestag and old Case red bone sucked up my Q1 knife budget pretty handily so I've had to pass on more than one knife I'd normally grab on a lark. :grumpy:

While made by Benedictine Monks, 'Buckfast' is a notorious drink, known, among other things, as 'Smash Up The Hoose [House] Juice' in parts of Scotland. While not containing a great deal more alcohol than most wine, it contains a large amount of caffeine, which seems to affect people very badly. I've never tasted Buckfast, and was at a party where a young chap I'd met only once previously, introduced me to his girlfriend, who said she'd also never tasted it. She added that she had brought a bottle to the party. Having previously thought that the horror stories I'd heard about Buckfast were exaggerated, I was shocked when I bumped into the young couple an hour or two later, The demure creature I had met before had been transferred into a snarling monster, who swore at both me and her embarrassed boyfriend, and looked as if she was trying to find someone to take a swing at! She was extremely embarrassed when I saw her the following day, but only because her boyfriend had recounted her behaviour the previous night. She herself had no recollection of it! I think I'll give it a miss! :thumbup:

Sounds like the Fun With Four Loko fervor we had here in the States a few years back. Who knew the combination of low-proof alcohol and caffeine could shake polite society apart?!

 

[meako]

Might see if I can get some of that Buckfast rocket fuel for my wifes upcoming 50th.....NOT.
Re fire axes. They moved out of the Napoleonic era a good 10 years ago and spent some money on hydraulic door openers.I made the cover of Fire News (nsw fb magazine) back in the early 90s gaining entry with an axe.
The photographer said its one of his best photographs ever. I'll see if i can dig it up.flames to the left of me flames to right of me......yada yada yada.

 

[Jack Black]

Ah, so another example of the linguistic gymnastics of those maddening Cockney folks.

Indeed!

[video=youtube;KKTknLD9eWw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKTknLD9eWw[/video]

I generally treat those knives like I do the shell Imperials. If they catch the eye (and at least one did), I will probably be interested. Unfortunately, a lot of bonestag and old Case red bone sucked up my Q1 knife budget pretty handily so I've had to pass on more than one knife I'd normally grab on a lark. :grumpy:

Very wise. The red bone sounds a better investment :thumbup:

Sounds like the Fun With Four Loko fervor we had here in the States a few years back. Who knew the combination of low-proof alcohol and caffeine could shake polite society apart?!

It sounds frighteningly similar!

Might see if I can get some of that Buckfast rocket fuel for my wifes upcoming 50th.....NOT.
Re fire axes. They moved out of the Napoleonic era a good 10 years ago and spent some money on hydraulic door openers.I made the cover of Fire News (nsw fb magazine) back in the early 90s gaining entry with an axe.
The photographer said its one of his best photographs ever. I'll see if i can dig it up.flames to the left of me flames to right of me......yada yada yada.

Just for you mate! :thumbup:

[video=youtube;35VdrkOEqnU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35VdrkOEqnU[/video]

Don't combine Buckfast and fire axes though!!

The cover photo sounds well cool :thumbup: On most of mine, I'm just staring into the distance looking kind of lost!

 

[screened porch]

Might see if I can get some of that Buckfast rocket fuel for my wifes upcoming 50th.....NOT.
Re fire axes. They moved out of the Napoleonic era a good 10 years ago and spent some money on hydraulic door openers.I made the cover of Fire News (nsw fb magazine) back in the early 90s gaining entry with an axe.
The photographer said its one of his best photographs ever. I'll see if i can dig it up.flames to the left of me flames to right of me......yada yada yada.

Volleyed and thundered! Oh the wild breach ye made, ...

 

[screened porch]

This tonic wine reminds me of Geritol, for relief of iron-poor tired blood. Long ago my parents knew a straight-laced tea-totaller who thought that Geritol was just wonderful. Nobody had the heart to point out to her the alcohol content.

 

[Jack Black]

This tonic wine reminds me of Geritol, for relief of iron-poor tired blood. Long ago my parents knew a straight-laced tea-totaller who thought that Geritol was just wonderful. Nobody had the heart to point out to her the alcohol content.

:thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

This was a Awesome thread to go through Jack.
I LOVE the Vintage Firemans Axe. The Joseph Rodgers ain't half bad either my friend.

Sorry Duncan, missed this until now Thanks mate :thumbup:

 

[knarfeng]

Can we please talk about knives ?
We have the lounge for miscellany.

 

[Jack Black]

Sorry Frank, fair point

Anybody know what model of SAK this is?

 

[supratentorial]

Is this a match?

 

[Jack Black]

Yes it is Jake, thanks a lot. I didn't think the Craftsman had the disgorger (seems I had have the pre-'87 model) :thumbup:

 

[5K Qs]

With the wind howling and the rain lashing outside, I thought I’d spend an afternoon with Betty Grable - THE Betty Grable
...


And from Pipers to Pipe Knives! This one isn’t in bad condition. I already have someone in mind who might like this :thumbup:
...


The last of the Richards knives is very plain, but could have come straight off the card in the newsagent’s window. It doesn’t carry the Richard’s lamp-post stamp though, for some reason Richards stamped some of their knives ‘No 30’.
...

As usual, sitting at your kitchen table is very informative, Jack! :thumbup::thumbup: Thanks for inviting us in again! (Have to confess that I thought the Betty Grable in the thread title guaranteed some gams, I mean, leg knives! I didn't realize you were doing this rhyming slang thing that's so foreign to me. )

Two things for some reason stuck with me the most. One is the Richards pipe knife, which I think grabbed me because I picked up an identical one on vacation last summer at a tiny flea market in a tiny town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, a LOOOONG way from Sheffield! The other is the Richards tang stamp bearing "No. 30"; do you have any conjectures on the reason for that seemingly meaningless choice?

- GT

 

[TsarBomba]

Have to confess that I thought the Betty Grable in the thread title guaranteed some gams, I mean, leg knives!

Here you go, GT. From my own Betty Grable...

 

[fishcakes]

I love seeing your threads jack black. Lots of beauties you dig up!

Must be one big table