"Old Knives"

[zerogee]

A little more Joseph Rodgers goodness -- a quite unusual congress - circa 1850 -- fancy threaded integral forged iron bolsters and liners, iron pins, perfectly fitted rounded stag scales; 3 3/4" closed with 2 1/2" main sheepsfoot, spear pen, coping true quill, and file/manicure/ink eraser blades. This one has a whole list of oddities. First off, it has two shields; second, every blade but the file blade have the thru-the-tang long pulls on both sides of the blade (though typically, the back side pull is mostly ground away with the swedging and/or inaccessible for use -- just JRodgers showing off I figure); third, the main blade and spear pen blade are in a right hand "congress jack" configuration - see scan below -- by the way, this rocks on a 4 blade congress (I have one other JRodgers with with the same "congress jack" blade config at one end that was obviously well loved); fourth, it has a quite unusual tang stamping - VcrownR/Rodgers/Cutlers/To Her/Majesty/Patent. I show the file and quill blades from the back to get an idea of the elaborate swedging and grinding that went into this thing. Unfortunately, it has a fair amount of wear and has been partially "cleaned" - fortunately not enough to destroy the swedging and other goodness. That it was well used is not at all surprising - it's pretty sweet.

-- Dwight

 

[zerogee]

This one I'm showing entirely for the stag. Joseph Rodgers Her Majesty congress - 3 3/4" closed, iron bolsters, liners, and pins, rather worn blades. Perfectly fitted rounded, dark, mostly smooth stag -- just the right amount of texturing to feel amazing in the hand. By the way, you might think I've got the images flipped looking at the blade configuration, but that's exactly how they're laid out.

-- Dwight

 

[kai76]

Beautiful knives in this thread, the stag on the above 2 are amazing! This thread is giving me the "old knife disease". I kinda like these knives more than new high end customs in away. Well maybe not, it's just a newer disease I caught. Thanks guys for the sweet eye candy!

 

[Will Power]

Dwight, your collection continues to impress! The first knife is really an exceptional item, all that intricate workmanship entitles a show off approach by the cutler lovely knives both of them. I wish I knew how to get access to these vintage knives-clearly a lot of knowledge is needed prior to buying-but the knives in this thread capture my imagination far more than contemporary custom knives.No offence to the makers, but, they only get really great long after you're dead

 

[CNoyes]

Beautiful knives, Dwight.
The stag on that second one is just superb.

 

[VCM3]

I will post a few today,wishing all a Very Merry Christmas Day,from My good friend who has these knives I post , & Us , here on the North Fork.
-Vince

"3" closed, full nickel silver fittings including decorated liners , Pearl hafts, along with it's original leather pouch. No half stops, and
NO center liner - just two springs. 3 uniformly deep eases for nail nick access .One of the earliest Connecticut cutlery manufacturers, this stamping dates from 1890 - 1913. I have seen this " serpentine bar shield " on one or two other Waterville knives, but I do not know what it is called. This knife was carried, sharpened, and well used many years ago - then put up for a very long period of time. The knife is full of old black grease, has no rust anywhere, and absolutely no shine anywhere either. It is uniformly covered with an even, dull gray patina throughout, with a few blackened areas here and there. Blade and spring action are perfect, still no blade rub. If you can't find a mint example of a knife, this is how you want to find them ; used but never messed with and stored in the right environment. All I ever did to the knife was scrape off a ton verdigris with my thumbnail here and there from being stored in it's pouch all these years, which is exactly where I've kept it since acquiring it several years ago . Fairly scarce early American knife."

 

[Robert.B]

Now that is one attractive pattern and overall design! thanks for posting it up...I really like how it looks despite its age, you really have a gem there.

 

[lambertiana]

Nice one, Vince. That shield is unique.

 

[kai76]

Yeah, that's a real cool looking shield!

 

[VCM3]

"3 3/4" closed sleeveboard pen; brass lined; ns bolsters, shield, and pins; nicely grained ivory hafts. The W. Rodgers Co. of Sheffield England has been in business from about 1830 or so up to the present under various owners. Their trademark is " I Cut My Way". Judging from the fit and finish of this example, I'd estimate it's age somewhere between 1920 and 1950 . The term sleeveboard comes from the small,flat, tapered boards that were placed inside shirtsleeves to properly iron them years ago. The knife is built on a single spring and the catch bit has a blade stop cut into it for the longer main blade to rest upon when closed. This knife has a few pits and spiders but remains unused with all it's original finish intact. Also shown alongside a George Ibberson example of the same pattern made about the same time that I showed you about a year ago. The lockback whittlers that we are all familiar with share their roots with this pattern, albeit with an additional blade and a locking mechanism. "

 

[VCM3]

A few more

 

[Ballenxj]

A few more.

I enjoyed seeing these. In fact, I'm enjoying this thread as a whole.
Very nice, and thanks for sharing.
-Bruce

 

[VCM3]

"3 3/4" closed, pre - 1890, very slight use, most original crocus finish remains intact, very tight and stiff like when new,the tight grained early English stag hafts are still very sharp to the touch. Nickel silver tip bolsters and bar shield, brass lined. The tang stamp reads : J.Gregg & Co. Ld., Sloane Square. Even after owning this knife for several years, I can find nothing or no one that can tell me who J. Gregg & Co. was. I assume it to be a London retailer, purveyor, or outfitter of some sort, especially sine it is a Sheffield built knife. Just a very basic, common, ordinary knife of its day that happens to remain in near new condition 100 + years after being built. "

 

[VCM3]

Sheffield Utility Knife...cont'd

 

[kai76]

That's cool Vince. I love the little bolsters and caps. And of course, that gnarly stag!

 

[VCM3]

Villiers & Jackson Silver Telescoping Toothpick

" I bought this telescoping toothpick at the same time I bought the Sheffield utility knife from the same gentleman. It is 2" closed including the ring. V&J were Birmingham silversmiths working onward from the early 1900's I believe, but I'm not good at dating silver, so I don't know exactly when this was made. The hallmarks tell the story, but I don't have dating references. To use it one twists the two halves of the barrel and the toothpick blade telescopes out the hole in the end, just like you twist some Parker pens to expose the cartridge tip. I thought it was an interesting and practical pocket or keychain tool."

 

[Ballenxj]

Sheffield Utility Knife...cont'd

That's a really neat knife, especially when the age vs condition is considered.
If you don't mind my asking, how in the World do you guys find such treasures?
-Bruce

 

[KnifeHead]

Here's a couple of Tony's that you might find interesting. These serpentine jacks are smaller than the seemingly more common 3 3/4" version of the "dogleg jack" that we see a lot of.

The top one is a Sta Sharp, made by Camillus for Sears n Roebuck between 1924-41. This one has amazingly fitted stag and is similar to an old Case Tested 28 pattern. It's nearly a mirror image or reverse of the dogleg jack pattern in frame shape.

The bottom knife is what we normally refer to as a "dogleg jack" and is stamped Edw.K.Tryon Co. 1811-1952. This one looks like it might be in the early 1900s or maybe earlier due to the hammered pins. One of the odd things about this knife is there is no shield but the pins are there and pocket never cut for one.

 

[lambertiana]

I always thought Sta-Sharp was one of Sears' bargain brands, and the blade grinds seem to confirm that, but the stag on that one is first class.

 

[navihawk]

Villiers & Jackson Silver Telescoping Toothpick

" I bought this telescoping toothpick at the same time I bought the Sheffield utility knife from the same gentleman. It is 2" closed including the ring. V&J were Birmingham silversmiths working onward from the early 1900's I believe, but I'm not good at dating silver, so I don't know exactly when this was made. The hallmarks tell the story, but I don't have dating references. To use it one twists the two halves of the barrel and the toothpick blade telescopes out the hole in the end, just like you twist some Parker pens to expose the cartridge tip. I thought it was an interesting and practical pocket or keychain tool."

That toothpick is cool Vince.