"Old Knives"

Also, the ebony one has a very short coping blade secondary. ;)

Wonderful pair, Philllll
 
Magnificent jigged bone on the Challenge, Phillll. I think the bone stamp looks older than the ebony. Maybe Charlie knows.
 
Nick and Phil, both wonderful knives guys!!! That bone on your Challenge Phil is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL:cool::thumbup:
 
huelsdonk said:
Great knife, thanks for sharing it. Beautiful bone and neat bolsters. The Griffon stamp is cool as well (at first I thought it was a flying Marmaduke). I can't quite make out the stamp on the main blade. It's "Challenge" rather than "Griffon xx"?
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Hey John. I've read some neat stuff over at AAPK about Griffon knives but I've never been clear on rather or not there was an overlap between Challenge and Griffon. Goins just shows that stamp as "1905." Both the blades have the curved Challenge tang stamp seen on a lot of their older knives, like Phill's. I own a more than a few Challenges and this is the first I've seen with the Griffon-esque 1905 stamp.
 
Fantastic pair of jacks, Phil.

67nick said:
Hey John. I've read some neat stuff over at AAPK about Griffon knives but I've never been clear on rather or not there was an overlap between Challenge and Griffon. Goins just shows that stamp as "1905." Both the blades have the curved Challenge tang stamp seen on a lot of their older knives, like Phill's. I own a more than a few Challenges and this is the first I've seen with the Griffon-esque 1905 stamp.
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That's really interesting. Challenge moved into the Griffon/Hatch factory in Bridgeport, right? I just thought Griffon on your knife, because the stamp almost looks like it has wings... Anyway, your post got me rummaging through my reference books for a good hour. :thumbup:
 
Howdy Philllll,
Love 'em mate, two greats, Im am sure I was spying them too, my Visa screams each time I touch it lately!

Paul and I are noticing a few and waiting for them to crop up soon!

Love love love that Bone my friend!
 
Trying to catch up, some wonderful knives have been posted, Lloyd, Rachel, 67Nick,Paul, all great additions to your collections, congrats!

Phil, love the bone Challenge, I don't ever recall seeing that tang stamp, it's a nice one.
 
huelsdonk said:
Fantastic pair of jacks, Phil.



That's really interesting. Challenge moved into the Griffon/Hatch factory in Bridgeport, right? I just thought Griffon on your knife, because the stamp almost looks like it has wings... Anyway, your post got me rummaging through my reference books for a good hour. :thumbup:
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I bet there were some leftover Griffon cutlers that snuck the old stamp in here and there. Gotta love the history involved in this awesome hobby!
 
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Quincy Ill. Ever see scales like this ? 3-3/8" closed

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

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67nick said:
I bet there were some leftover Griffon cutlers that snuck the old stamp in here and there. Gotta love the history involved in this awesome hobby!
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I was thinking the same sort of thing. I just find this hobby endlessly fascinating. The more I've picked up along the way, the more I want to find out. It's really cool.

VCM3 said:
Quincy Ill. Ever see scales like this ? 3-3/8" closed
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I certainly haven't, but my frame of reference is pretty limited. It's a beautiful knife. At first glance it sort of looks like wood grain, but on closer inspection it reminds me of wind or water swept sand.
 
I just recently acquired this old Valley Forge Jack. It is before the VF in a circle that Boker started putting on the rear of the primary blade starting around 1916. I think this folder would have been produced sometime between 1902 and 1916 from what I have found. It is 3.5 inches long closed and has a very unique secondary pen blade with built in cap lifter. It has a three line straight tang address Valley Forge/Cutlery Co./Newark N. J. The front of the pen blade is arch stamped Pat. Appd. For. Back of the pen two line straight address Valley Forge/Cutlery Co. The front of the spear blade still shows a feint etch Valley Forge. Still has great WT with both blades still very close to full. Jigged bone handles show no cracks and everything exhibits high caliber fit and finish. Blades springs completely flush at close, half and full open. A remarkable specimen I am pleased to add to the collection. Happy Thanksgiving my friends! Lloyd




 
Outstanding knife and find Lloyd !!!
It is almost like it was never ever used and stored for many years away from the light.
Thanks for showing it .

Harry
 
WONDERFUL VF Lloyd!!!

Beautiful covers with nice full blades. I'd be elated to add that BEAUTY to my collection every day of the week:thumbup:

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

Vince, fantastic knife, great/unique covers. Are they celluloid?
 
Beautiful find Lloyd :thumbup: The pen blade is very interesting, I've seen similar blades on Richards/Imperial knives, but never as a secondary and/or on a knife of such quality as your Valley Forge :thumbup:
 
Jack Black said:
Beautiful find Lloyd :thumbup: The pen blade is very interesting, I've seen similar blades on Richards/Imperial knives, but never as a secondary and/or on a knife of such quality as your Valley Forge :thumbup:
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1909 patent https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/ca751bd624a687822c4f/US921988.pdf

I've seen old knives with the Heath patent blade but I can't remember the maker. I know I have a catalog example somewhere but don't remember which one. I took a quick look at my VF catalogs and didn't see it. All of the metal parts have been heavily resurfaced so it's difficult to tell from the photos if it is original to the knife. Could be.
 
Found a couple old catalog cuts. A double end jack with the Heath patent blade and a regular jack that's a ringer for Lloyd's knife. Both are branded Olympic Cut Co. Levine's Guide lists it as a wholesale brand with a question mark. It would be interesting to compare the catalog images from Olympic and Valley Forge to see if they match up.


1905
 
Lloyd, great knife, congrats. Jake, thanks for taking the time to add history to it.
 
Thanks guys for the nice comments and Jake for the very interesting research on the Heath patent blade--much appreciated! That Olympic brand is certainly a close match to the VF. Would be really great if this VF example could be found in a VF catalog. Anyway thanks again my friends for the input:thumbup: Lloyd
 
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