"Old Knives"

[6.0stroker]

1 Wood has a habbit of expanding when wet? 2?

 

[kai76]

Vince, everything about that tear drop/swell end jack is perfect. Not fancy but just right, classic!:thumbup:

 

[navihawk]

Does anybody want to venture a guess why they used "open dovetails" on the handle material vs "closed dovetails"? (two reasons)

Ease of assembly and better f/f?

 

[waynorth]

I don't know why they used open dovetails. It's an interesting question. Maybe one of our knife-making friends has an idea!!??
That is a beautiful Jack, and a quintessential NYK, Vince, but IMO, it is a Regular Jack, as opposed to a Swell end. A Regular jack has straight sides, while a Swell end, which is also called a Teardrop, is more pear-shaped; the sides curve in slightly.
I am paraphrasing Bernie Levine, whose naming system is largely based on history, and was a result of years of study. I think it's the best so far. Here's a pair of Swell ends/Teardrops!

 

[KnifeHead]

navihawk was right...mostly. The open dovetails made it easier for the folks with the task of hafting to put the handle material on. That's easier than fiddling with putting handle material inside 90degree ended covers(meant "bolsters"). Closed dovetails weren't used because they captivate the handle material and potentially create a problem in the knife due to swelling. No room to expand will create pinches in the pivot(s).

 

[zerogee]

navihawk was right...mostly. The open dovetails made it easier for the folks with the task of hafting to put the handle material on. That's easier than fiddling with putting handle material inside 90degree ended covers. Closed dovetails weren't used because they captivate the handle material and potentially create a problem in the knife due to swelling. No room to expand will create pinches in the pivot(s).

Also, "open dovetails" helped hide any movement in the various natural scale materials -- both visually (due to the overlap) and by touch (because a little shrinkage wouldn't expose any sharp bolster edges, since there were none).

 

[KnifeHead]

Also, "open dovetails" helped hide any movement in the various natural scale materials -- both visually (due to the overlap) and by touch (because a little shrinkage wouldn't expose any sharp bolster edges, since there were none).

Right...that too.:thumbup: Now go and look through your old knives and see how many have very slight open dovetails. Tony has showed me several of his old knives that have them.

 

[navihawk]

navihawk was right...mostly. The open dovetails made it easier for the folks with the task of hafting to put the handle material on. That's easier than fiddling with putting handle material inside 90degree ended covers(meant "bolsters"). Closed dovetails weren't used because they captivate the handle material and potentially create a problem in the knife due to swelling. No room to expand will create pinches in the pivot(s).

Thanks for the trivia Knifehead. That NYK is perfect Vince.

 

[Sauconian]

While maybe not as impressive as a large knife. I find this fascinating for the delicate work that went into it. Especially for the tiny screws.

I believe this is real tortoise, both because of the age of the knife and that it's not as colorful as the imitations.

Fran

 

[waynorth]

That's a little beauty, Fran! Classic Miller, with the screwed on handles. Very interesting clip blade!!

 

[Sauconian]

Thanks Charlie ! I got that at the Lewisburg Pa. show yesterday, along with this battered 'ol rope knife.

Fran

 

[waynorth]

Nice Russell!!
They made a lot of interesting knives besides Barlows!!
Rope knives and HJs for instance!!

 

[VCM3]

Here's another regular jack (Thank's Charlie :thumbup, but hafted in bone and 3 1/4" closed. Nickel silver bolsters and shield on this one and only two scale pins per side on the smaller bone hafts. Carried, sharpened and used, this one still retails a partial blade etch along with a partial fingerprint etch as well. Shown along with the 3 1/2" rosewood knife to see the subtle differences that only 1/4" in length makes on the overall knife size

 

[VCM3]

And the two together

 

[waynorth]

Nice pair!!
(used to say that in certain bars also, in my youth!)

 

[navihawk]

I used to have one just like that one Vince, only a lot more wear. I'll bet the thumbprint is from the guy who owned it liking to choke up on the blade.

 

[Will Power]

What do you call the shield on that knife? It's unusual and very nice.

 

[jop91]

Here's my 1982 Helle 'Harding' 50th Anniversary..

 

[lambertiana]

What do you call the shield on that knife? It's unusual and very nice.

Are you talking about the knives that Vince posted? I usually call that a bow tie shield.

 

[malextwo]

Not as nice as those last jacks of Vince's but quirkier for sure...

I've always had a place in my heart for scouting knives, own a few nice ones, etc. This one on the bay grabbed me I guess 'cause it's different. Circa 1942, Schrade Hobo Kit - not a thing wrong with it, that I can tell.

Mike