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"Old Knives"
- Thread starter VCM3
- Start date
You're welcome. And it works! I'll be darned.
My most disappointing ancestral surname is probably Farthing. Hard to put a positive spin on that.
Planterz
Іди на хуй Путін!
Beautiful Gunstocks, Charlie N!! We are fortunate to see knives from your great collection!
Duncan here is an interesting knife I found in the London Knife Book (Flook).
Looks a lot like your metal-handled knife above!
What exactly is a paper knife?
EDIT: Wikipedia says it's a letter opener. Makes sense. I don't know why I didn't search before asking.
Some say a paper knife is a knife for cutting leaves of a book apart. When the edges are connected by a fold.
Nice! <3
I quite like Farthing
Barnsley is a pretty unattractive little town, so I'm quite glad the name is on the other side of my family! 
My grandfather was actually called George Barnsley, and it always amused him to see the once-grand works of George Barnsley & Sons, who produced files and cobbler's tools. I generally buy anything I come across with the name on, which I do quite regularly :thumbup:
I finally looked up Farthing in my Penguin Dictionary of surnames, and it doesn't mean "worth as much as the tiniest coin", but could mean traveller (thane who fares) or a fourth of something which amounts to about 30 acres. So my snoot is a little more elevated.
Here's a James Barber with something illegible in the top line, perhaps ERA, which makes it a Thomas El(l)in, which existed from 1794 or so to ca 1970. "Cutler to her Majesty" on such a grubby knife makes me think Victoria.
Here's a James Barber with something illegible in the top line, perhaps ERA, which makes it a Thomas El(l)in, which existed from 1794 or so to ca 1970. "Cutler to her Majesty" on such a grubby knife makes me think Victoria.
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I finally looked up Farthing in my Penguin Dictionary of surnames, and it doesn't mean "worth as much as the tiniest coin", but could mean traveller (thane who fares) or a fourth of something which amounts to about 30 acres. So my snoot is a little more elevated.
Here's a James Barber with something illegible in the top line, perhaps ERA, which makes it a Thomas El(l)in, which existed from 1794 or so to ca 1970. "Cutler to her Majesty" on such a grubby knife makes me think Victoria.
I don't think many of my ancestors had two farthings to rub together!
Interesting Barber Tweedale dates them to 1802, with the ERA mark possibly going back to 1834, Elin acquiring it "before 1914". Here's a more recent Barber. I think part of the ruins of the old works still stands, and is included in my factories thread :thumbup:
Augie
Gold Member
You all have been posting some very nice old knives in the last month or so, great finds everyone. I've been a little busy so will try to catch up, have managed to add some nice knives to the collection.
Here is a very nice Challenge bare head jack with a sheepsfoot main, don't think the sheepsfoot is all that common. I really do think Challenge knives are some of the highest quality of the vintage knives out there.
Here is a very nice Challenge bare head jack with a sheepsfoot main, don't think the sheepsfoot is all that common. I really do think Challenge knives are some of the highest quality of the vintage knives out there.
Wonderful knife Augie, Blades combination is very appealing and the bone, above all, is stunning.
Mike
Mike
black mamba
Gold Member
Beautiful, Augie, exceptional in all respects, but . . . . especially that bone!
I don't think many of my ancestors had two farthings to rub together!
Thank you, Jack. That's a lot more helpful than "James Barber (ERA), see Thomas Elin". So 1834 onward. Do you think I'm right that Her Madge was the Vic? Because let's face it, 1953 is a long time ago now. It could be EiiR. Except in 1976 it wasn't "[such and such] to her Majesty", it was "[such and such], by appointment to her Majesty the Queen".
You all have been posting some very nice old knives in the last month or so, great finds everyone. I've been a little busy so will try to catch up, have managed to add some nice knives to the collection.
Here is a very nice Challenge bare head jack with a sheepsfoot main, don't think the sheepsfoot is all that common. I really do think Challenge knives are some of the highest quality of the vintage knives out there.
Beautiful old Challenge Augie . Blade Combo , Great Jigged Bone , Rat Tailed Bolsters , and Hammered Pins . What is not to like on that one .
Harry
paulhilborn
Gold Member
Boy, John, Harry said it perfectly:thumbup: I have a similar sway back with different shield. My Challenge tang stamp is straight not arched, I assume your stamp/knife to be older?
Nice find, Augie :thumbup:
lambertiana
Gold Member
Augie - I agree with your assessment of Challenge knives. I have knives from many makers from that time period, and Challenge is definitely at the top of the heap. I have that same knife:
