-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
"Old Knives"
- Thread starter VCM3
- Start date
Will Power
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,359
Jason, particularly fine collection you show thee, many thanks.
That last Keen is most interesting. Is it Balloon or more Swell Centre? A Sabre grind gives it a real Stabber Jack look
Any chance of a closer pic of this blade?
That last Keen is most interesting. Is it Balloon or more Swell Centre? A Sabre grind gives it a real Stabber Jack look
Any chance of a closer pic of this blade?
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2006
- Messages
- 1,515
I have no idea how old this Hugo Koller lockback whittler is, but it's pretty minty. Traded a forum member here for it.
mike,until now i had never seen any others than the 2 in the middle.
i picked those up awhile back in mint shape.
yours is nicer,and probably older as well.
jd
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2005
- Messages
- 16,754
3 " closed doctor's pattern, approx. 1860 - 1890, NS bolsters and pins, brass lined, pearl scales hafted round .Lightly sprung, round tangs... no half stops; easy open - easy close. Heavy, solid NS pillcrusher rear cap; beveled at 45 degrees internally to serve as a blade rest for the main spearpoint whose long pull is cut through the tang. The center liner does not bisect the end cap and is not fastened by the rear pin. It is instead perfectly mitered to sit flush on top of the end cap's bevel. It is such a tight fit that there is absolutely zero space between the two. It is possible to nudge it laterally, but not without exerting great force. The original owner's name is nicely engraved on the mark side scale. Along with the tattered remains of it's original initialed pouch. Unsharpened and unused
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2006
- Messages
- 1,515
waynorth
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 32,608
Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values, 3rd edition.
The 4th edition is the last one that Bernie Levine edited.
The rights were purchased, and Bernie has since dis-associated himself with the subsequent editions.
Too bad the publisher/purchaser refused to fund further research!
LG4 is considered the best, IMO.
- Joined
- May 30, 2009
- Messages
- 677
There have been some beautiful knives posted here lately.
That last IXL is really nice.
Robeson made a series of knives with a rather unique bolster locking mechanism. The liners were steel and the one activating the bolster lock was tempered with a degree of springiness. A portion of the pile side bolster was cut out and the profile raised above the frame as a thumb push. When the blade was opened, the cut out portion of the bolster and part of the liner slipped in behind the blade tang, locking it in place, much like the center brass liner on a TL-29 or commercial electrician's knife.
As far as I can recall, Robeson made four single blade versions of the series. There were two English jacks, one being more slim than the other; a fisherman's knife with a scaler along the top of the blade and a cap-lifter incorporated into the underside of the tang; and a 5" toothpick. I've never seen this mechanism incorporated into a multiblade knife.
They handled the series in jigged bone and at least two patterns of celluloid. I've seen yellow composition and butter & molasses.
As interesting as the knives are, they had their faults. When the blade is open and the lock deployed, the overlying handle lies unsupported by the liner and is easily broken during use. The locking mechanism itself was prone to breakage over time. I have seen several of the knives with broken handles and/or locks.
I posted bone handled examples of the larger of the two English jacks and the fisherman's knife previously in this forum.
This past week, an Ebay seller posted this Robeson bolster lock toothpick as a twenty-four hour auction. It had eight individual bidders posting eleven total bids. I was able to acquire this knife at a bargain price.
There are several Robeson patterns that I had long since given up ever acquiring a decent example, partly because of their rarity, partly because of their high dollar value, which_I guess_ go hand in hand.
The bolster lock toothpick was one. Of the series, the toothpick is the rarest knife. I think I have seen only two in all my years of collecting. One of them had a broken and missing lock mechanism.
This knife is in excellent condition. It has been used and sharpened, but the blade is nearly full. The old Robeson jigged green bone is gorgeous in the extreme.
The pattern number is 616611. The knife is 5" long, closed.
That last IXL is really nice.
Robeson made a series of knives with a rather unique bolster locking mechanism. The liners were steel and the one activating the bolster lock was tempered with a degree of springiness. A portion of the pile side bolster was cut out and the profile raised above the frame as a thumb push. When the blade was opened, the cut out portion of the bolster and part of the liner slipped in behind the blade tang, locking it in place, much like the center brass liner on a TL-29 or commercial electrician's knife.
As far as I can recall, Robeson made four single blade versions of the series. There were two English jacks, one being more slim than the other; a fisherman's knife with a scaler along the top of the blade and a cap-lifter incorporated into the underside of the tang; and a 5" toothpick. I've never seen this mechanism incorporated into a multiblade knife.
They handled the series in jigged bone and at least two patterns of celluloid. I've seen yellow composition and butter & molasses.
As interesting as the knives are, they had their faults. When the blade is open and the lock deployed, the overlying handle lies unsupported by the liner and is easily broken during use. The locking mechanism itself was prone to breakage over time. I have seen several of the knives with broken handles and/or locks.
I posted bone handled examples of the larger of the two English jacks and the fisherman's knife previously in this forum.
This past week, an Ebay seller posted this Robeson bolster lock toothpick as a twenty-four hour auction. It had eight individual bidders posting eleven total bids. I was able to acquire this knife at a bargain price.
There are several Robeson patterns that I had long since given up ever acquiring a decent example, partly because of their rarity, partly because of their high dollar value, which_I guess_ go hand in hand.
The bolster lock toothpick was one. Of the series, the toothpick is the rarest knife. I think I have seen only two in all my years of collecting. One of them had a broken and missing lock mechanism.
This knife is in excellent condition. It has been used and sharpened, but the blade is nearly full. The old Robeson jigged green bone is gorgeous in the extreme.
The pattern number is 616611. The knife is 5" long, closed.
CNoyes,
Thank you for showing your Old Robeson 616611 Bolster lock Toothpick.
Great knife.
It is also refreshing to know that many excellent, historically significant and desireable items are still available to those who put in the effort.
This is a great thread on an excellent forum. I would never have seen many of these beautiful and interesting knives without the generous sharing of the many contributing BF Members.
I am very happy to be able to share your Joy.
Mike H.
Thank you for showing your Old Robeson 616611 Bolster lock Toothpick.
Great knife.
It is also refreshing to know that many excellent, historically significant and desireable items are still available to those who put in the effort.
This is a great thread on an excellent forum. I would never have seen many of these beautiful and interesting knives without the generous sharing of the many contributing BF Members.
I am very happy to be able to share your Joy.
Mike H.
black mamba
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2009
- Messages
- 23,044
Ditto! Totally new to me, as well. Very nice, thanks.
knowtracks
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2006
- Messages
- 3,880
Very nice toothpick! 
Thanks for posting :thumbup:
Thanks for posting :thumbup:
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2005
- Messages
- 16,754
Gents....
Nickel silver tip bolsters, bar shield, and pins. Nicely decorated brass liners, bone hafts. Extensively used, carried, and sharpened ; pits, stains, and peppers. Approx. 1890 - 1931, 2 7/8 " closed. Fully sunk joints, 3 blade eases, straight pulls all cut through the tangs. Spearpoint, manicure tool, and scissors still snap and function like new. Original blue on scissor spring still fully intact, though I can't get it to show in a scan
Nickel silver tip bolsters, bar shield, and pins. Nicely decorated brass liners, bone hafts. Extensively used, carried, and sharpened ; pits, stains, and peppers. Approx. 1890 - 1931, 2 7/8 " closed. Fully sunk joints, 3 blade eases, straight pulls all cut through the tangs. Spearpoint, manicure tool, and scissors still snap and function like new. Original blue on scissor spring still fully intact, though I can't get it to show in a scan
