Norvell Shapleigh Bartender's Knife

[philllll]

This post is going to be pic- and text- heavy. I would like to apologize in advance to those with slow connections or short attention spans

I came across this old Shapleigh knife and was planning to take some pics to post in my diamonds in the rough thread, but I decided it's really so special that it deserves its own thread. This knife is 100 years old give or take! The best I can manage to date it is between 1901-1918. In 1901 the company changed names from A.F. Shapleigh and Cantwell Hardware Company to Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Company. In 1918 the company changed names again to Shapleigh Hardware Company. Okay some pictures...

Impressive, right‽ The craftsmanship and engineering is mind blowing on this knife, especially considering its age. One pair of springs is all it needs for 4 different tools on 2 sides!

The main blade side is split-spring style, with the bottle opener being the 'main' running on both springs, with a nice long pull spear and a second smaller blade that is unfortunately broken on my knife. The cork screw also has a spring action riding on the backs of the 2 springs. Some serious time went into designing and building this knife.

The blades nest together nicely.

A lot of small details really stand out. The bottle opener has a nice deep nail nick on both sides, and textured finish like a file on the inside.

The long pull spear blade, even though it's the longer of the two, is positioned on the pile side. This worked out great for me, being a lefty. It's interesting to see the pull on one side and tang stamp on the other.

I'm absolutely thrilled to add this one to my collection. I was excited to share it with all of you on the porch and hope you've enjoyed my post. This is one of those knives that you've really got to coon finger to fully appreciate. All of the little details and the unusual and complicated construction are really special. Even with the one broken blade I'd say it's in fantastic shape for 100 years old!

 

[VashHash]

I like that knife a lot. I like that cork screw design too. It's flat instead of the typical round ones you see today.

 

[supratentorial]

Neat knife, philllll. I enjoyed the description and photos :thumbup:

 

[Campbellclanman]

I knew this was going to be good as soon as I saw the Thread title.

Philllll my friend that is such a stunning find - I too would be excited to add this to my collection - Thank you for sharing this amazing piece. Jealous sitting here viewing that beautiful knife.

 

[paulhilborn]

Ok, not only do I echo the others but man Phil that is a find my friend. I just love purpose driven knives. This one is wonderful!!!

Like you said, DETAILS:thumbup: from bolster to bolster there are details galore. I marvel at the details. Just a wonderful addition and thank you for the detailed pictures and description. Any chance you'll be going to this year's rendezvous? If so would you bring this gem? I feel the need to CE and CF that beauty.

Now that said my friend, I would guard that knife from our friend Duncan:thumbup:

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Really knice piece phillll, I've never seen one that elegant for lack of a better word, I love the little details like the ridges on the under the cap lifter to give it a better grip on bottle caps that were reused and always dinged and dented. A lot of times the caplfter would skate off the irregularly dented caps but the sharp teeth created by those ridges always bit into the after tin of the cap awarding it's owner with a cool soothing beverage.

Thanks for sharin' and enjoy, it's a wonderful piece.

 

[SlothSid]

That is a very cool knife! Great find!

 

[archertl]

Its really interesting how they did the cork screw on top of the backspring. Alot of work must have been done to make sure all four tools had proper spring tension. Thanks for sharing that knife.

 

[greatscoot]

Wow, that's a beauty.

 

[Markesharp]

Philllll, the knife is fake, just a scabbed together parts knife. Yes I know you don't want to hear that my friend, but I have to be honest with you. Just ship it to me and you won't have to worry about a counterfeit pile of parts....er knife.

Seriously, thanks for sharing that rare beauty! :thumbup:

 

[Campbellclanman]

Philllll - as you can see when such a treasure comes out - so do the rats that will feed off the innocence of good people like you and me.
Paul and Mark - I thought they were better than this so let's prove to their corrupt minds and show them Philllll - yes let us!!!!

I think you should laugh in the face of malicious thinkers and DO send that knife to me just to show them that I can and will look at the knife - appreciate the magnificence - and behold in all it's glory- and then - once I have finished - send the Knife back to you my friend.
Join me Phillllll - by showing them.

 

[meako]

The only thing that outshines that beaut knife is your infectious enthusiasm Phillll. A real plum .glad you scored it.:thumbup:

 

[Markesharp]

Philllll - as you can see when such a treasure comes out - so do the rats that will feed off the innocence of good people like you and me.
Paul and Mark - I thought they were better than this so let's prove to their corrupt minds and show them Philllll - yes let us!!!!

I think you should laugh in the face of malicious thinkers and DO send that knife to me just to show them that I can and will look at the knife - appreciate the magnificence - and behold in all it's glory- and then - once I have finished - send the Knife back to you my friend.
Join me Phillllll - by showing them.

Oh Duncan, Duncan your power of influence is futile at this point. Paul has already tried to get you on the straight and narrow...so he told me we will have to see if you're okay this August at GEC headquarters.

 

[Will Power]

Thanks very much for showing us this interesting Bartender. The whole thing shouts quality and this is remarkable as it isn't just a crude utility tool, but well thought out and executed, those springs, the curved shape and a really premier corkscrew. The jaws or serration on the bottle opener interest me, obviously gives better grip but perhaps it's a foil or wire cutter for Champagne corks? Nice patina wear on the blades and bone, well cared for and no wreck ( like a lot of stuff unfortunately)

I know it's just speculation, but it is always rewarding to think about a knife's history. As this was a quality item and likely not cheap at the time, it might have been the possession of a sommelier at an top hotel or even on a liner between America & Europe? Who knows? But what is also of interest is that during your dark years of misguided Prohibition c 1919-32 an item like this might have fallen out of favour, been thrown out even Or did it purr along in some exclusive Speakeasy?

Great acquisition, really like looking at it and wondering.:thumbup:

Thanks, Will

 

[mike Berkovitch]

Phil this is outstanding knife and great addition to your collection.

Mike

 

[Jack Black]

Beautiful knife, and an excellent write-up. Congratulations Phil :thumbup:

 

[philllll]

I knew this was going to be good as soon as I saw the Thread title.

Philllll my friend that is such a stunning find - I too would be excited to add this to my collection - Thank you for sharing this amazing piece. Jealous sitting here viewing that beautiful knife.

Ok, not only do I echo the others but man Phil that is a find my friend. I just love purpose driven knives. This one is wonderful!!!

Like you said, DETAILS:thumbup: from bolster to bolster there are details galore. I marvel at the details. Just a wonderful addition and thank you for the detailed pictures and description. Any chance you'll be going to this year's rendezvous? If so would you bring this gem? I feel the need to CE and CF that beauty.

Now that said my friend, I would guard that knife from our friend Duncan:thumbup:

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Sorry gents I don't think I will make it to the rendezvous this year. Really regretting it since I would love to meet the porch gang! I think Evan is going again this year and I might send him with a roll of my knives to show off

Really knice piece phillll, I've never seen one that elegant for lack of a better word, I love the little details like the ridges on the under the cap lifter to give it a better grip on bottle caps that were reused and always dinged and dented. A lot of times the caplfter would skate off the irregularly dented caps but the sharp teeth created by those ridges always bit into the after tin of the cap awarding it's owner with a cool soothing beverage.

Thanks for sharin' and enjoy, it's a wonderful piece.

Thanks very much for showing us this interesting Bartender. The whole thing shouts quality and this is remarkable as it isn't just a crude utility tool, but well thought out and executed, those springs, the curved shape and a really premier corkscrew. The jaws or serration on the bottle opener interest me, obviously gives better grip but perhaps it's a foil or wire cutter for Champagne corks? Nice patina wear on the blades and bone, well cared for and no wreck ( like a lot of stuff unfortunately)

I know it's just speculation, but it is always rewarding to think about a knife's history. As this was a quality item and likely not cheap at the time, it might have been the possession of a sommelier at an top hotel or even on a liner between America & Europe? Who knows? But what is also of interest is that during your dark years of misguided Prohibition c 1919-32 an item like this might have fallen out of favour, been thrown out even Or did it purr along in some exclusive Speakeasy?

Great acquisition, really like looking at it and wondering.:thumbup:

Thanks, Will

Thanks Ted and Will, yes the attention to detail on the cap lifter is really impressive. I thought about it maybe being for opening wine bottles with the serrations, but I really don't see that being the use for it and I suspect the broken blade was the one intended for cutting the wine foil. It probably got the most use and ended up snapping. I didn't think about the timing of it's manufacture in the context of prohibition. That's a really interesting point you make Will... I will just assume from now on that it has a seedy speakeasy history, makes for a better story

That is a very cool knife! Great find!

Its really interesting how they did the cork screw on top of the backspring. Alot of work must have been done to make sure all four tools had proper spring tension. Thanks for sharing that knife.

Wow, that's a beauty.

The only thing that outshines that beaut knife is your infectious enthusiasm Phillll. A real plum .glad you scored it.:thumbup:

Phil this is outstanding knife and great addition to your collection.

Mike

Beautiful knife, and an excellent write-up. Congratulations Phil :thumbup:

Thanks gentlemen!!!! :thumbup:

Philllll, the knife is fake, just a scabbed together parts knife. Yes I know you don't want to hear that my friend, but I have to be honest with you. Just ship it to me and you won't have to worry about a counterfeit pile of parts....er knife.

Seriously, thanks for sharing that rare beauty! :thumbup:

Philllll - as you can see when such a treasure comes out - so do the rats that will feed off the innocence of good people like you and me.
Paul and Mark - I thought they were better than this so let's prove to their corrupt minds and show them Philllll - yes let us!!!!

I think you should laugh in the face of malicious thinkers and DO send that knife to me just to show them that I can and will look at the knife - appreciate the magnificence - and behold in all it's glory- and then - once I have finished - send the Knife back to you my friend.
Join me Phillllll - by showing them.

Oh Duncan, Duncan your power of influence is futile at this point. Paul has already tried to get you on the straight and narrow...so he told me we will have to see if you're okay this August at GEC headquarters.

FAKE‽
Okay Mark my friend, sending it along now...

 

[Campbellclanman]

NO NO NO NO Philllll - to me! TO ME!!!!!

 

[Gevonovich]

Oh this was a great read, replete with history, laughs, excellent photography, and allure. Thanks for sharing this speakeasy wonder with us, Phil ! ( loved your post Will ) Duncan, Mark, and Paul ....you guys :thumbup:

Most likely imported by Kastor around the same period.

 

[Ernie1980]

That is a very nice and unique knife! Thanks for sharing:thumbup: