"Old Knives"

I just recently acquired theses two vintage Valley Forge Jacks. The first is a large 4.5 inch closed English style Jack and the smaller one 3.5 inches closed is a Eureka Jack. Both have three line primary blade tang addresses Valley Forge/Cutlery Co./Newark, N. J. The secondary blade tangs also have three line addresses Valley/Forge/Cutlery Co. Both are absent the VF in a circle on back of primary blade tang indicating supposedly production before 1916. In 1916 Boker started adding the VF in a circle to the back of primary blade tangs on all production folders. Both folders are in excellent condition with great W & T and outstanding F & F. The large Jack has almost full blades with little evidence of any hard or prolonged use. The smaller Jack has completely full blades and looks to be unshadpened since production. Thanks for looking. Lloyd







 
WOW Lloyd two absolutely beautiful knives!!! But man o man the Eureka Jack is amazing:thumbup:

Such terrific finds my friend, I love this thread...thank you for both finding and posting these beauties:cool::thumbup:
 
paulhilborn said:
WOW Lloyd two absolutely beautiful knives!!! But man o man the Eureka Jack is amazing:thumbup:

Such terrific finds my friend, I love this thread...thank you for both finding and posting these beauties:cool::thumbup:
Click to expand...

+2

Smashing, Lloyd :eek::eek: Top tier:thumbup::thumbup:
 
I will ever so gladly follow behind my friends and echo their comments Lloyd.

Two absolutely stunning knives there my friend.

I picked up a very nice Valley Forge the other day- it's on its way to my North Dakota Post Office as we speak.
 
I can't add anything to what the others have said. Both knives are great, but that Eureka Jack. WOW!
 
Enviable knives for sure. The Eureka is a pure class act but I am strangely drawn to the long, slender pen on the English Jack. Pretty dang cool in my book:thumbup:
 
Thanks Paul, Gev, Harry, Duncan, Jack, John, Glenn, Charlie, Mike, Liam, Jamie & Huelsdonk for your very kind comments and interest in these two Valley Forge vintage folders! I am pleased to be able to contribute to this thread and feel like I have greatly benefited from seeing your wonderful vintage folder examples:thumbup: Happy Holidays to you and yours. Lloyd
 
Valley Forge barehead ebony Jack, pre 1916

I believe this has steel pins and bolsters ... what I know for certain is, it was well built. Still has good snap, blades are near full, centered and with only a slight amount of wobble, no cracks or chips. Overall very good condition especially for it's age plus ... it just feels like quality. Since the pattern is a favorite of mine I'm real happy to have this one. BTW, I wasn't going to sharpen this because of it's age and condition, is that the usual practice for vintage and antique blades?

Queen 1948-1958 sawcut Barlow ???

What interest me about this knife is the design. I'm impressed with the comfort of sunk tang knives which this has due to the swell in the bolster. Is this still considered simply a barlow or does the unique bolster necessitate it's own designation, such as copperhead barlow or swell bolster barlow? If anyone knows about the proper name or anything else you'd care to share about this knife I would appreciate hearing from you. -James
 
James : I just clean them up as best I can and sharpen . I really like that Valley Forge.
The Queen is in great shape and is a very nice Barlow to have .

Harry
 
BOTH Very nice James:thumbup: Love that old Valley Forge, great old Ebony? covers. Your Queen is just perfect. Wonderful saw cut covers and blades that look show room fresh:cool:
 
Valley Forge? Looks awesome! As to your question, I would say that life is short. Sharpen it up and throw it in your pocket. If you don't plan to carry it, then just lightly clean and oil it, and take pics to share with us!
 
Thank you Harry, Paul and Glenn.
At this time the Valley Forge is the pinnacle of my small but growing accumulation. Wanting to be a good caretaker I simply cleaned it with mineral oil but was wondering about sharpening. I have some more contemporary knives that I enjoy carrying so for the time being I'll be content just visiting the Valley Forge, at it's place of prominence in my den.
The main blade on the "swelled bolster barlow" (my designation) needed to be polished due to some sever sharpening scratches. I figured it's value couldn't be hurt since it was so scratched and actually, I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out. Since the first time slipping it in my pocket I found I love the saw cut bone, sunken joint and it's thin blades. Thanks again for your comments and input. -James
 
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