MOP Handles

[Berkley]

Thanks to all who continue to post such wonderful knives.:thumbup:

This lobster is by an interesting maker: A.J. Jordan, Sheffield, England; trademark AAA1.

Jordan's was, so far as I know, the only American-owned Sheffield cutlery. A.J.Jordan opened a hardware store in St. Louis, Missouri in 1871, became a wholesaler of German cutlery, and grew to become a large operation.-

Around 1885...Jordan was to make an astute observation and momentous decision which would catapult his empire to its greatest heights. A.J. came to the firm conclusion that even the best efforts of the knife makers of Germany could not begin to compare with the zenith of quality which had been achieved by the cutlery craftsmen of Sheffield, England. A less ambitious entrepreneur would have settled for simply importing knives made in Sheffield. In fact, at first, it appears that this is exactly what he did. It was his next move, however, that would make him unique in the annals of American cutlery history. A.J. Jordan left America's shores to establish a cutlery of his own in Sheffield! He named his factory the East India Works, housing it in a building at 20 Radford St. When that facility proved inadequate, A.J. moved to a three story edifice at 6,8, & 10 Baker St. Finally, when it became cramped there, operations were moved to even larger quarters on Furnival St. Up to 120 employees were kept busy at the East India Works, skillfully crafting an immense quantity of cutlery bearing the A.J. Jordan AAA1 brand. This production was then shipped to the spacious warehouse and showrooms of the growing empire's St. Louis headquarters.... Henceforth and until the last ten years of his life...he would divide his time between England and America, maintaining a residence on Clarkson St. in Sheffield.

"Clay Cutlery Company and the A.J.Jordan Empire", by C.David Pierce, Knife World, November 2008.

 

[Bastid]

This one is a tail lock and it is fancy, but is an excellent example of some very nice Black Lip pearl.

It used to be in my collection and is one of the 3 few custom knives I have sold.

 

[smiling-knife]

Awsome colours in the black lip pearl Bastid. Thanks for the information on AJ Jordan Berkeley. I have a Jordan German-made souvenir knife from the 1904 St Louis World's Fair.


Here are a couple of Sheffield multi-tool lobsters. The first has six attachments on two springs. It is a quality piece but no maker's mark.

This one has seven attachments on three springs. The scissors are alone on the middle spring. Made by Prescott and Milner.

 

[Jon Brand]

Bastid, thats gorgeous. What is it, a Dellana or Schmidt or something?

 

[T.K.C.]

Here is my Mike Alsdorf Interframe Jack w/MOP.

 

[Bastid]

It is Dellana's knife. Fancy, but a fine knife in every respect.

 

[Dr Bill]

OOOH, one of my favorite materials!
I may have a couple around here somewhere. . .

An early Jim Smyth

Centofante & Steigerwalt

A little one from Dietmar Kressler

JL Williams flipper

Jim Minnick

Richard Rogers

Reese & Tony Bose

Shadley, Horn, Bose

Another Rogers

And Joel Chamblin

There are a few others, but that should keep this thread alive a little longer! Plus, it seems that's all the photos I'm allowed.

 

[sunnyd]

.. This one has seven attachments on three springs. The scissors are alone on the middle spring. Made by Prescott and Milner.

S-K,

Great contributions as always.

Question please:

I see a button hook, two blades, scisors, but what was the little two prong fork used for and the two needle typ tools as well?

 

[smiling-knife]

Hi suunyd. Thanks very much for the compliment and questions. The little fork is a cigar fork. On the bottom, the tool closest to the camera is a file and the tool behind is a pricker/pipe tool. There is a definite smoking connection with this one.

 

[sunnyd]

Hi sunnyd. Thanks very much for the compliment and questions. The little fork is a cigar fork. On the bottom, the tool closest to the camera is a file and the tool behind is a pricker/pipe tool. There is a definite smoking connection with this one.

Very Steve!. Thanks again for such a very nice contribution and the historic information with regard to this piece makes it just that much more interesting to boot for me.

In addition, I would like to say Thanks to everyone else here that has been kind enough to add to this fine thread with such superlative contributions as of late. This thread is mounting up to become a real classic in the Traditional forum. :thumbup:


Anthony

 

[smiling-knife]

You're very welcome sunnyd. I join you in thanking everyone for posting their fantastic examples.

Here are my contributions for today. William Rodgers was a cutler circa 1830s but the name and trade mark 'I Cut My Way' were acquired by John Clarke & Sons 1850s. The penknife has unsual crimped bolsters. The shadow whittler is sweet as can be... probably made 1950s.

 

[jackknife]

smiling-knife, you always make my day with pic's of those pearl handle gentlemans knives. The word exquisite dosen't quite do well enough to describe these knives of the hight of Sheffield's glory.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[sunnyd]

The MOP scales on this ole custom Jack knife caught the fading sunlight just about perfectly on this 'un here.

You just gotta marvel at the simple elegant beauty of God's gift of mother nature to us mere mortals.

 

[waynorth]

This thread has sure come to life in grand style!! Those multiblades are just plain killer knives Steve! I mean that in the best possible way!

Here is a nice pair from an estate; I can just imagine a nice old couple treasuring these and keeping them pristine. (Kinda like my wife and I; she's nice, and I'm old!)
The pearl is so dazzling, my scanner adjusted the shiny blades into darkness!

 

[Berkley]

Here is a nice pair

Now that is an understatement for sure! That is a wonderful pair.

 

[ancientarms]

i make miniature knives with damascus blades and indian pearl handles{including a guthook blade miniature}

 

[sunnyd]

i make miniature knives with damascus blades and indian pearl handles{including a guthook blade miniature}. . .

I like the look of your little mini's..

Two questions, please if I may:

Can you explain the term indian pearl handles?

Are these done by you by stock removal or do you forge you own?


Anthony

 

[ancientarms]

natural indian pearl handles please{cant call them mop handles but they look similar}
thank you

 

[smiling-knife]

Thank-you for the comments on my knives guys. They are much appreciated

Suunyd, the colour in your mop is fantastic.... great photos to capture it.

Excellent and unusual 'his and her' set waynorth. I really like the little tip bolsters.

Still not clear on Indian pearl. Please clarify ancientarms.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[smiling-knife]

A few more to keep the thread going. Some of these mop penknives with scissors also have a file cut into one of the backsprings.

I've added a bottom view of the Prescott & Milner multi-tool lobster shown in post 123. There is still plenty of the gold-coloured gilting on the middle (scissor) spring.