Old Dixon Leather Knife

Jack Black

Jack Black

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I picked this up in the market today, it's an old Half-Moon leather pattern cutters knife, also known as a Lunette or as a Half-Round knife.







The blade is marked 'Dixon' above 'Warranted'. There's an initial before Dixon, but it's been lost to time. However, it's almost certainly 'J' (it could be 'T') for James [EDIT - Sorry, that should be Joseph, not James], and the company is still in business. The edge is still sharp and it looks as if this is the original sheath.

How much I should clean it up, I don't know :)

Any other information gratefully received :)

Jack
 
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Neat find, Jack! Do you do any leather work currently? If not, you now have an excellent excuse to start!

-Dan
 
Fascinating...looks a bit like an ulu.

How'd you get that patina? Mustard? Vinegar? Come on now, don't be shy... :D

- Christian
 
I've got a modern one. A Tandy Leather special that's got a nicely finished blade but cheaply made and fit handle. It serves the purpose though. Great find Jack!
 
jakemex said:
I've got a modern one. A Tandy Leather special that's got a nicely finished blade but cheaply made and fit handle. It serves the purpose though. Great find Jack!
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Thanks Jake :)
 
I've found info about James Dixon and Sons. of Sheffield, a wholesaler and manufacturer, the book dates him 1805-1990. Obviously your is not from 1990 :) I usually clean mine till there is no active rust, the test is wiping the blade with tissue paper with little oil on it and looking at the it, if there are brown marks then there is active rust left.
Nice find!

Mike
 
Way cool, thanks for the dedicated post. Curiosity satisfied :) That sheath is about the gnarliest hunk-o-leather I think I've ever seen! Don't clean it up too much, just enough to stop it from further going to seed.
 
mike Berkovitch said:
I've found info about James Dixon and Sons. of Sheffield, a wholesaler and manufacturer, the book dates him 1805-1990. Obviously your is not from 1990 :) I usually clean mine till there is no active rust, the test is wiping the blade with tissue paper with little oil on it and looking at the it, if there are brown marks then there is active rust left.
Nice find!

Mike
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I'm very sorry Mike, I've just realised that there was a mistake in my original post (trying to do too many things at once). I think the knife is made by JOSEPH Dixon (http://www.josephdixon.co.uk/content/Home_.html). I understand their knives were marked J.Dixon in the past, and earlier ones made by the same company were marked T.Dixon. The blade is not TOO bad, though the ferrule is very rusty. Thanks for your help and advice, and sorry again for my mistake.

I was hoping it was made by George Barnsley & Sons :)

Jack
 
scruffuk said:
Niiiiiiiice!

You didn't mention THAT beaut you lil'scamp.
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No, got it after, from one of my regulars, but he hadn't drawn it to my attention as he didn't think I'd be interested in it :)
 
I actually don't have a Lunette as I've always found them too round looking, not good for tight curves or angles.....but this one is very ovoid.....I wonder if that's with use or the original(isn) shape?

*ewwww! Don't Google 'Lunette'!
 
scruffuk said:
*ewwww! Don't Google 'Lunette'!
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I'll take your word for it! I'd bring it over with me tomorrow, but Leeds train station is wild on a Friday evening, and I don't know if I could get over the sheer embarrassment of being arrested for being in posession of a lunette! :D
 
Jack Black said:
I'm very sorry Mike, I've just realised that there was a mistake in my original post (trying to do too many things at once). I think the knife is made by JOSEPH Dixon (http://www.josephdixon.co.uk/content/Home_.html). I understand their knives were marked J.Dixon in the past, and earlier ones made by the same company were marked T.Dixon. The blade is not TOO bad, though the ferrule is very rusty. Thanks for your help and advice, and sorry again for my mistake.

I was hoping it was made by George Barnsley & Sons :)

Jack
Click to expand...

No harm done Jack, we are dealing with old stuff, sometimes hard to identify the stamps. Anyway it is a great find.
Mike
 
Thanks for posting that. I've tinkered with leather, but never got around to getting a leather knife.... Too many projects too little time. Made a few holsters, but went on to other projects. :o
 
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