"Old Knives"

[galvanic1882]

Here’s a brand you don’t see everyday. Van Camp, both knives are etched with the pearl just about the way it came from the factory! Not sure which made their knives?

 

[galvanic1882]

That's a beautiful old knife, Dave. And thanks for the clarification on the tang stamp; I could make out Walden NY, but not the rest, although now that I know what it says, it seems clear as day! (I know this is just the GEC collector in me, but man, that knife could almost pass for a GEC #77, or perhaps it's the other way around. I think it's a really a testament to how close GEC gets to making knives "like they used to make 'em.")



Great blade etch, Charlie! I've got a little gent's knife (four blade, MOP) that is stamped CENTAUR (with the image above it) on one side of each blade and "S & A" over "N.Y." over "Germany" on the other. I'll have to get some pics of it.

In the meantime, here's something else in MOP that I think is kind of interesting. I'm not even sure it technically qualifies as a knife but I do think it's close enough to be of interest here. It's a single blade folder with a “blade” that I would have originally assumed was a spatula, like you'd find on a doctor's knife. After a bit of research, however, I don't think that's what it is. The tang stamp reads, "F.W. DEVOE & Co, N.Y." F.W. Devoe was a manufacturer of paints and artists supplies, dating as far back as the 1750s and into the 20th century. I think this might have actually been an artists palette knife. (I don't think a fancy folding palette knife sounds like a very practical tool — really it just sounds like a mess — but it's still my best guess.) I have no idea who might have made the knife, or how old it is. I'd venture a guess at maybe early 20th century, but it would really just be a guess.

That’s a sweet looking knife