"Old Knives"

I like this old knife...Jonathan Crookes, Im guessing early 1900's? The jigging isnt what I would call the most intricate...but I think its still very appealing..
myknives003-7.jpg

myknives004-6.jpg


Just a bit of a group shot..
myknives017-4.jpg
 
That bone is so vibrant with the creamy brown! and I love the group shot, I have been keeping an eye out on the bay for older hawkbills (alot seem to suffer the wrath of bench grinders).
 
Robert.B said:
That bone is so vibrant with the creamy brown! and I love the group shot, I have been keeping an eye out on the bay for older hawkbills (alot seem to suffer the wrath of bench grinders).
Click to expand...
Hi Rob...they sure do, I saw a queen on there a day ago...it seemed quite full...go have a search :thumbup:
Sorry about the Boker sneaking in on the group shot-its what I was carrying today :)
 
Campbellclanman said:
Hi Rob...they sure do, I saw a queen on there a day ago...it seemed quite full...go have a search :thumbup:
Sorry about the Boker sneaking in on the group shot-its what I was carrying today :)
Click to expand...

are any of those Utica by chance? I believe I saw the queen one, I'm trying to go for one of the older US companies I dont have anything from. The one with the really deep swedge in the middle looks really nice, does she get any pocket time?
 
Robert.B said:
are any of those Utica by chance? I believe I saw the queen one, I'm trying to go for one of the older US companies I dont have anything from. The one with the really deep swedge in the middle looks really nice, does she get any pocket time?
Click to expand...
Rob,
It looks as though you and I may meet on the e-bay battlefield one day my friend, as we are hunting the same, so please accept my apologies now for any dirty fighting that may go down in the future :D
Pocket time....I have thought so much about that...to me these are getting to be semi precious - value may not back me up with this, its just how I appreciate them...I use the Stag handled ex pruner my lady saw for me-the grinding on it was just a nightmare...so I evened out the blade-which was a bit scary as I dont believe in that sort of treatment to knives....but it turned it into a user with the most awesome patina'd Stag ( Im sorry if this sounds silly ).
There are a couple in the group shot that usage, but the big hawkbills dont, this may change?... but here is my Garden knife that does get used..
Saturday008-1.jpg
 
Wow that stag is just amazing!!! the deep aged appearance/creamish yellow and pocket wear you cannot replicate...I'm into carrying old knives, especially if they're already sharped to the bejeebuz! but the nicer stuff I think I'd more than likely just hold it and oogle every now and then. I'll be going to estate sales to move away from ebay, I'm a little weary when it comes to ebay because even with pics I feel like its sight unseen (I've had some older stuff come in looking like the pics, but with worn out springs and wobbly blades that wasn't mentioned).

Your collection is coming along very nice though!
 
I concur. Well in, Duncan. Someday we will have to compare collections. Our tastes are very similar.
 
Schrade TL-29 Style Electrician Knife
Schrade Cut Co
Walden, NY
c1904-1946

Ebony handle. The main blade has a half stop. The screwdriver locks and it is released by pressing down on the main blade.

According to the seller, "the blades are tarnished but do not look like they have ever been sharpened". :rolleyes: The main blade was obviously sharpened (poorly) but I bought the knife to use. After a few minutes, I was able to reset the bevel and get the blade shaving sharp.

VCM3 posted a similar knife from Empire here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/852569-Electricians-knife?p=9652142#post9652142

schrade-electrician-1.jpg


schrade-electrician-2.jpg


schrade-electrician-3a.jpg


I think it's an interesting design. There's a channel in the center cut and a lock release extends from the screwdriver's backspring through the channel. Pressing down on the main blade, depresses the lock release, pushing down on the screwdriver's backspring and unlocking it.

schrade-electrician-3.jpg


schrade-electrician-3b.jpg
 
Such a cool knife Jake, you are right-thats a real interesting design!! a lot of work gone into a smaller knife!...Fantastic condition!!
 
Thank you, Duncan. I enjoyed carrying it today. It fits well in the hand and the blades still have strong snap.

The hawkbills from your photos would be great in the garden. I have an Opinel No 8 pruning knife that I've been using around the house but those ebony handled knives from your photo are tempting me to look for an antique. ...Those old ebony handled knives prove that wooden handles can last just as long as jigged bone.
 
H Boker & Co's Improved Cutlery
c1837-1917

I'm not 100% sure if this is a Farmer's Jack or another animal altogether (or maybe Frankenstein's knife). I think the main blade was probably originally a pruning blade but it has been reshaped. But unlike a Farmer's Jack, the second blade is a pen rather than a spey or budding blade. Both blades are stamped H Boker's & Co's Improved Cutlery but it may well be a matched replacement that was professionally done. The pin certainly looks fishy.

I think the stag is quite nice.

img245.jpg

img246.jpg
 
Last edited:
Wow!!...call me insane, but I just love Stag that shows wear like yours above-and yet holds its own against any of the best Stag around...it just speaks volumes if you ask me, that design reminds me immediately of the seahorse whittler?...please forgive me if I am way off...it just brings me to that thought!
The Jonathan Crookes, I must admit..after the photo was taken...I cringed and took back the kick just a fraction-as the blade was over-sharpened, and the tip was exposing a gap...a couple of minutes of very fine & careful filing...it is 100% better, and now can be carried without doing damage!
 
I can see the resemblance to a Seahorse Whittler -- I think that is Case's name for a Wharncliffe Whittler. I also like the stag on antique or vintage knives. If modern production knives had stag with such character, I'd quickly go broke. ;)

Glad to hear you're using and enjoying the Jonathan Crookes!
 
Jake, that is some gorgeous stag to be sure!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top