Old Ibberson Smoker's (& Drinker's) Knife

[Jack Black]

Just thought I'd post a few pics of this wee knife I picked up on my travels today. Quite unusual. Ibberson made a similiar knife with a corkscrew and no spike. This one is stamped with the name of a Middlesbough engineering firm, which is no longer trading. An inexpensively made little thing, but reasonably well-made nevertheless, still very solid, and the blade has a good sharp edge.

 

[LeatherMan64]

That violin stamp is way cool! Thanks for sharing

 

[Woodrow F Call]

That's a cool little knife.

 

[Jack Black]

That's a cool little knife.

That violin stamp is way cool! Thanks for sharing

Thanks guys. The violin is a Stradivarius no less! Some history here: http://www.eggintongroup.co.uk/history/the-history-of-george-ibberson.html :thumbup:

 

[Cap’n Smudge]

Nice knife. What is the spike used for? Does "crown cork opener" refer to bottlecaps? Is it a slipjoint or friction folder? Sorry for all the questions' just curious.

 

[Jack Black]

Nice knife. What is the spike used for? Does "crown cork opener" refer to bottlecaps? Is it a slipjoint or friction folder? Sorry for all the questions' just curious.

No need to be sorry, glad you asked The spike is for pipe-cleaning duty (and could perhaps double-up as a cigar piercer). The 'crown cork opener' is a cap-lifter. It's a slipjoint.

 

[sitflyer]

Pretty cool knife Jack! At first I thought it might be a folded frame, but it appears to be two pieces pinned to the spring and blade/spike? Nice piece of advertising cutlery:thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

Pretty cool knife Jack! At first I thought it might be a folded frame, but it appears to be two pieces pinned to the spring and blade/spike? Nice piece of advertising cutlery:thumbup:

Thanks Duane. Yeah, it's quite cleverly done. There's also a subtle flare towards the cap-lifter, I guess to make it more efficient. The blade is very off centre, and it looks to me as if it might even have been a blade from a pen (I'll try and rememember to post a pic tomorrow - late here now ).

 

[kamagong]

Fascinating. Talk about a specialized tool.

- Christian

 

[MarkPinTx]

The bottle cap was originally known as a crown cork due to its replacement of the then common cork and resemblance to a crown. Manufactured by Crown Cork & Seal, which remains one of the world's largest beverage packaging companies. Look on a coke can you have about a 33% chance of finding the crown logo on it.

 

[Gevonovich]

She's a beauty, Jack!!

 

[Parke1]

Very neat find, Jack! I'm always excited to see your next find.

-Dan

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks fellers

The bottle cap was originally known as a crown cork due to its replacement of the then common cork and resemblance to a crown. Manufactured by Crown Cork & Seal, which remains one of the world's largest beverage packaging companies. Look on a coke can you have about a 33% chance of finding the crown logo on it.

They're still known as that in the brewing trade and among home-brewers here

Pic of an old church-key I sent Vanguard (thanks to Tom for the pic) :thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks Duane. Yeah, it's quite cleverly done. There's also a subtle flare towards the cap-lifter, I guess to make it more efficient. The blade is very off centre, and it looks to me as if it might even have been a blade from a pen (I'll try and rememember to post a pic tomorrow - late here now ).

Edit - You can't really see it on these pics, but the blade is ground on the inside as if to accomodate another blade.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Great little knife there Jack, so have you tried the cap lifter yet?

 

[mike Berkovitch]

That's a cool knife in every way, you should use the cap lifter as much as you can, as smoking seem somewhat dangerous
Mike

 

[Jack Black]

Great little knife there Jack, so have you tried the cap lifter yet?

That's a cool knife in every way, you should use the cap lifter as much as you can, as smoking seem somewhat dangerous
Mike

Thanks gents I've slipped in my pocket today and will try out the cap-lifter later. I haven't smoked in 35 years, so a 'smoker's knife' is an odd choice!

 

[scruffuk]

That really is one cracking find Jack, dare I say, one of your better ones?!

I imagine it will see some action too

 

[Jack Black]

That really is one cracking find Jack, dare I say, one of your better ones?!

I imagine it will see some action too

Thanks pal, certainly one of my better purchases from Crochet Woman anyway!

 

[Jack Black]

Great little knife there Jack, so have you tried the cap lifter yet?

Can't fault it!