Military Clasp Knives

QJerry said:
Your fingers must bleed from opening all those claps. Highly appreciated.
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LOL! :D Thanks :thumbup: Strangely, I find it easier than when I was young I think, my hands aren't as strong, but perhaps my technique is better! :D Still got quite a few to go yet though :eek: ;)
 
The third knife in the bottom row of my group shot is a variation of the standard 3-blade WW2 pattern, with the sheepsfoot blade and marlin spike, but without the tin-opener blade. It's made by A H Bisby & Co of Sheffield.





 
The next knife along - with the William Rodgers of Sheffield stamp - is the same configuration as above, but in addition to lacking the tin-opener/bottle-opener blade, it omits the screwdriver.





 
Next along, and the same pattern as the William Rodgers, is this George Wostenholm, which was very kindly sent to me by Duncan (Campbellclanman) :)

 
Great photo's & knives Jack, really excellent stuff, I never thought to look on the turn-screw blade for a broadarrow, i'll take a look at mine.
The hybrid's are interesting, I saw a version of one of those on a car-boot sale that had a WW1 style can opener. I didn't buy it as that was one of the knives I mentioned previously that had its whole main blade missing (the other being an Admiralty pattern 301) I'm still gutted that they weren't worth having :grumpy:
The sailor photo is superb, I like pic's of forces people actually carrying them. Must admit though fall in water carrying that & it's probably akin to wearing an anvil :D
I'm rather frustrated at the moment, I hurt my right shoulder (I fell over) & using my arm is difficult - it's rather an impossible task opening a clasp knife one handed !
Happy weekend to all
Dave :)
 
Thanks a lot Dave. It's worth noting that the crow's foot is sometimes forged, on both tools and knives, relatively easy to do I guess. Sorry to hear about your shoulder mate, and hope that you're soon on the mend :thumbup:

Here's another pic to cheer you up :)

 
Sixth along on the bottom row of my group shot is this two-blade knife made by Sheffield Steel Products in 1943. It has the Sheepsfoot blade and tin-opener, but no marlin spike.



 
Next along, in the same pattern, is this Wade & Butcher from 1941. Sadly, the can-opener has been broken.





 
Number nine on the bottom row of my group shot is my beloved Needham NAAFI knife, which was kindly gifted to me by Duncan, and which I've already posted about extensively in this thread and elsewhere.





 
This knife by Herbert Robinson of Sheffield - number ten on the bottom row of my group pic - is in a similar style, but just has a single Sheepsfoot blade. When I got it, it had a large piece out of the edge, but I managed to make it useable again without too much work. A long time ago, I had a WW2 issue can-opener which was built like this, just the can-opener blade with a Bexoid handle.

 
Thanks for sharing your great collection Jack.

I haven't shown this Frank Mills WWI knife before.

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Jack my Friend - thank you so much for going into such detail about your great knives in this Thread of yours - its great coming in and having a good read up on each individual knife! - S-K a thank you to you too Mate, as per usual your knives are spectacular as well!

Here are my two latest purchases that perhaps can be added here, one is Bone, and one is your "usual" Clasp knife" - although Military? I am not too sure of that one :), in saying this the C.Johnson is a earlier knife and quite possibly carried during WW1?

The other Clasp knife is a IXL G.Wostenholm, l am only guessing at the era, I believe the stampings to be 1960's possibly slightly earlier - most likely post War - your opinion Jack?

The springs on this knife are Bear Trap material - Whew!!..OBVIOUSLY the main is badly worn - but when I was cleaning up this knife-as it was quite burnt on the Pile side Jigged Bone Scale, and the surface rust and gunge made it look like throw away material...although it still does look like throw away material - just tidier :o I sorta fell for this ol' girl when giving it a good old clean up, the walk and talk on this knife leaves most new ones for dead - not bad for a 100+ year old knife, honestly - this knife is ready for another hundred years quite literally!











 
You're very welcome Duncan, still a few more to go :) Wow, those are two beauties there my friend, particularly the Johnson, nice score there :thumbup:

I think you are probably right with your estimation of the age of the IXL Duncan. Glad these knives have found a place in your heart :) :thumbup:
 
Thanks for your compliments Duncan. Your Christopher Johnson knife is a good example of the so called 'gift knife'. This knife was not an official military issue but thought to be included in Christmas packages sent to the troops at the front in the early years of WWI. There is considerable debate around these knives as there seems to be no definitive evidence to support the gift idea. Regardless, it is a nice piece of early twentieth century cutlery.

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1500international said:
Great photos Jack, and some inspiration, I'd better get busy and photograph mine.
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Thank you sir :) I'd have posted pics of my Burma knives, but have been having problems with Photobucket. I might try again later :thumbup:
 
Here's another WWI knife I haven't shown before. It is stamped A. IBBITT. A for Arthur perhaps. I 've not found much on this maker. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

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That looks to be in decent shape S-K. I'm not familiar with the maker at all though.

smiling-knife said:
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I saw one of these in The Famous Sheffield Shop yesterday, along with a few other beauties and items of interest. I'll try and post a thread with pics later in the week :thumbup:
 
Jack Black said:
Thanks a lot Dave. It's worth noting that the crow's foot is sometimes forged, on both tools and knives, relatively easy to do I guess. Sorry to hear about your shoulder mate, and hope that you're soon on the mend :thumbup:

Here's another pic to cheer you up :)

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Cheers for the pic' Jack, shoulder is a lot better, I can open a clasp knife now so it must be on the mend :D

Interesting knife on the pic', Canadian perhaps?

Cheers
Dave:)
 
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