"Old Knives"

[Un-Chained]

@veitsi_poika That’s Kool Kev!! Signatures and names are neat and somewhat mysterious. Nice examples there

 

[wlfryjr]

Couldn’t stop reading Mike. I love that you’ve kept some of Tony’s and Pete’s knowledge alive. I always made a point to visit Pete at the shows and goad Tony about making me a farmers jack.

 

[Mike Robuck]

Thanks Lyle. I wish I had recorded more of my conversations with Tony. I met Pete once at Blade. What a great guy.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Great Article Mike, that was well worth the read, and I will be coming back to read it again - you can count on that!
Stunning Knives too my friend!

 

[Mike Robuck]

Thanks Duncan! I have enjoyed your posts and pictures over the years. Your collection has really evolved, as has your knowledge.

 

[Will Power]

Mike Robuck Excellent article and written in vigorous and articulate prose, matches the subject absolutely.

Looking at that veteran Southington of yours, the Spear Jack in Bone I was impressed by the Matchstrike. It's not an embellishment I'm usually drawn by, but I've noticed that on vintage knives of quality, the strike looks more like saw teeth rather than the 'zipper' appearance of modern versions. It's a much more aesthetically convincing effect. Might be due to wear/age but maybe the striking process was different then?

Thanks, Will

 

[Easy_rider]

Thanks Gus. I think Southington made some of the best knives back in the day.

Here's an article I wrote for KnifeWorld years ago. I hope it doesn't put anyone to sleep!
-.”

thanks for sharing

 

[Mike Robuck]

Thanks Will. It does look as though there was a different process back in the day. The top knife is a 70s era Boker while the bottom is a much older Conn. Cutlery. I never really thought about it before, but good eye! Maybe Herder, Jack Black or Charlie know more. I do recall that we had a discussion many years ago on the traditional forum about custom makers adding matchstrike pulls, and some of them eventually did, but it was rather difficult at first.

 

[waynorth]

The finer teeth are much more effective at striking "strike anywhere" matches!! I tested them years ago (at my kitchen table)!!
I am pretty sure the pulls have to be punched into the blade with a die.

 

[Mike Robuck]

Some of debate with the custom makers was whether to add before or after heat treat. I remember Kerry Hampton said he tried to punch the matchstrike pulls in after the heat treat and the blade flew across Tony Bose's shop. I think Ken Erickson engraved them in. I know Kerry eventually came up with a way to do it, but I don't remember what it was. Off topic, but growing up I saw guys use their zippers to light wooden matches, and even their denim jeans.

 

[lambertiana]

Mike Robuck Excellent article and written in vigorous and articulate prose, matches the subject absolutely.

Looking at that veteran Southington of yours, the Spear Jack in Bone I was impressed by the Matchstrike. It's not an embellishment I'm usually drawn by, but I've noticed that on vintage knives of quality, the strike looks more like saw teeth rather than the 'zipper' appearance of modern versions. It's a much more aesthetically convincing effect. Might be due to wear/age but maybe the striking process was different then?

Thanks, Will

The older matchstrike blades that I have exhibit the finer teeth that you mention. A few examples:
Electric:

Three Southingtons:

 

[Un-Chained]

L lambertiana
Thank you for the share!
That last one, with the full double pulls

 

[pistonsandgears]

Match strike on my old EC Simmons

 

[Un-Chained]

Since we’re talking about MS pulls, I began to think, what is it about long pulls in general that I adore?
They tend to look streamlined and give the blade a sharper more angular appearance to these eyes.
It’s been a great week here and this one tops it off nicely, some good ‘ole Remi.
I see this as a two blade stockman Jack, (all comments welcome, by the way) and it just became my most true to factory vintage knife. The jiggin’ is sharp to the touch. The badge is a two-pin and sharp on the edges, very pointy! and it’s also somewhat rounded peaking at the center. The blades even have slight colouring present. This blade is what caught my attention. I’m impressed with how it’s shaped with the (shorty) long pull. Quite pleased friends

This last picture may show (with my crappy pic), the scales’ groovy edge exit from the factory.

 

[waynorth]

It’s been a great week here and this one tops it off nicely, some good ‘ole Remington!

Nice Jack, Un-C!! How long?? Built on the same pattern as various 3-5 blade knives, some call that a "Premium Jack"!!

 

[Un-Chained]

Thanks waynorth Charlie
So into it, I forgot to mention the length
It’s at 3” 15/16 not 4” and... there’s only three visible pins on the mark, because these two badge pins are quite large

 

[waynorth]

Thanks waynorth Charlie
So into it, I forgot to mention the length
It’s at 3” 15/16 not 4” and... there’s only three visible pins on the mark, because these two badge pins are quite large

Nice handful!!

 

[Augie]

Picked up a late 40's early 50's Gerstner machinist box at auction last week, cleaned it up and filled it with some of my vintage knives, trying for some semblance of organization, not sure I will succeed. This one will only have my better vintage knives in it, hopefully can find one faster now when I want to look at it again.

 

[knowtracks]

Thanks Augie!

Dave

 

[Un-Chained]

Beautiful Augie !!
I bet those latches and lock are still workin’ too and looks like a really clean cabinet (oak?) as well