Old John Primble Knives & Belknap Hardware History

[clutchcarter]

Wow, that's a great pair you got there Primble!

 

[waynorth]

The Barlows indeed make a fine pair, Primble! The bone handles are real nice!

That Blackened Stag Jack is a super find!!

The way I understand it, Stag was pre-immersed in Potassium Permanganate, to destroy any pests, and prevent their importation. A side effect was the total oxidation of the surface, darkening/blackening the Stag to good aesthetic benefit! This effect was enhanced after cutting to size, and became a selling feature - for good reason IMO!

Empire was a proponent of "Blackened Stag", and marketed a fair bit of it. I had several pieces in my collection.

 

[paulhilborn]

This one just had to be carried over to this page---BEAUTIFUL Spear/pen----gorgeous saw-cut covers my friend!!!

I was browsing for old Primbles and ran across an old Belknap bone spear point Barlow.

 

[Primble]

Paul - you forgot to post the beautiful clip point - without any doubt, my favorite of the two and by far the most special one to me.

 

[Primble]

Thank you for the comments Mark from Michigan, Mark from Kentucky, Paul, and Charlie.

Charlie - I appreciate the information regarding the blackened stag process and I called my old Pharmacist friend back in the early summer to see if I could get some of the Potassium Permanganate. He told me that they used to carry it and doctors prescribed it as a mixture for foot soaking. He recalled that many patients did not mix it properly and ended up with completely purple feet.

I can't remember precisely, but, I think I was wanting to try and darken some bone knife handles. After Vance told me that I better be careful with it if I did find it, I chickened out.

That Empire collection was unbelievable. I hope you are not missing it too much.

 

[KBA]

Hope it is ok that I post this here. I started a thread a few days back about gentlemen folders and a few pearls caught my eye. I didn't have a pearl, nor a Primble, so I thought I would grab this one for 36 bucks. The pearl isn't perfect imo, but there isn't any cracks and the etch is still visible.

 

[Primble]

That John Primble Belknap pearl handled gentlemans knife is a fine specimen Brett. The price was right as well. :thumbup::thumbup:

It certainly fits into the Old John Primbles thread nicely.

 

[glennbad]

I just love that flat bolster barlow, Primble!

Of course, KBA's pearl whittler is pretty sweet also...

Beautiful!

 

[KBA]

Thank you Primble and Glenn

 

[Markesharp]

"Potassium Permanganate. He told me that they used to carry it and doctors prescribed it as a mixture for foot soaking. He recalled that many patients did not mix it properly and ended up with completely purple feet."

So, that's where all the Martians came from?!

 

[Jbwest]

I'm new to this forum and have fairly recently starting collecting traditionals. I just read this whole thread and let me say your pictures, knives, and case are beautiful and inspiring to me to continue to build my collection.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Great knives all.

I can't really say why old knives like these make me feel so happy.

You have a great variety.

That large equal end/cigar with the well worn spear point really jumps out at me!

 

[Primble]

Thank you for the kind words everyone and it is nice to know that some of this inspires others. :thumbup:

I thought martians were green Mark !!??

 

[Primble]

I don't believe I have ever shown this well used old India Steel Works John Primble Equal End Knife. It has never been part of the Primble cabinet and probably never will be, however, it does see a fair amount of carry. The old carbon blades are super sharp. I love the old crack free patinaed picked bone on it and it has strong snap and half stops for such an old used knife. For twenty five bucks at auction, I could not let it get by me. It is 3.25 inches closed. For some reason, it reminds me of Gevonovich - at least I think he would approve. Well - surely he would approve of the background then.


I guess that this ole knife could easily be close to the century mark in age.

 

[5K Qs]

Wow, Primble, IMHO that's a real beauty; the bone is superb! That exemplifies what I'm after in this big multi-faceted world of pocketknives: old, used, non-mint but still serviceable knives that I can carry, use, and admire.

- GT

 

[Markesharp]

Primble my friend, I have this old John Primble India Steel Works in stag knife for you. Do you have a main blade for it?! If you do I will put it in the knife and send it to you. If not, I will still send it to you and you can fix it! :barf:

[/IMG]

 

[Gevonovich]

I don't believe I have ever shown this well used old India Steel Works John Primble Equal End Knife. It has never been part of the Primble cabinet and probably never will be, however, it does see a fair amount of carry. The old carbon blades are super sharp. I love the old crack free patinaed picked bone on it and it has strong snap and half stops for such an old used knife. For twenty five bucks at auction, I could not let it get by me. It is 3.25 inches closed. For some reason, it reminds me of Gevonovich - at least I think he would approve. Well - surely he would approve of the background then.

Just saw this....are you saying I am very old looking with lots of age spots and don't belong in the case

Seriously, that is a splendid knife and a great background as well! Love the old pic bone and the character on the blades

 

[Primble]

Wow, Primble, IMHO that's a real beauty; the bone is superb! That exemplifies what I'm after in this big multi-faceted world of pocketknives: old, used, non-mint but still serviceable knives that I can carry, use, and admire.

- GT

Thank you GT !!:thumbup:

Primble my friend, I have this old John Primble India Steel Works in stag knife for you. Do you have a main blade for it?! If you do I will put it in the knife and send it to you. If not, I will still send it to you and you can fix it! :barf:

Mark - that is a real beauty there - the only ISW blade I would have for it is attached to a cherished ISW Primble that I already own. Maybe we can look around and find a blade for it. It would be great to own, EITHER way. :thumbup:

Just saw this....are you saying I am very old looking with lots of age spots and don't belong in the case

Seriously, that is a splendid knife and a great background as well! Love the old pic bone and the character on the blades

Well - I meant that it reminds me of some of Gevo's great ole knives (have great character) - BUT - if the shoe fits ...............

I thought about sticking it in the envelope with your CD yesterday, but, stinginess got the better of me!

P.S. - your files are in the post

 

[Gevonovich]

Much appreciated, my friend!! I will keep an eye out.

I am starting to resemble an old shoe I am upping the vitamin and mineral intake, maybe throw in some essential fatty acids

 

[MercyfulfateXX]

Primble, you have got to be the best picture taker around,amazing!