"Old Knives"

[wlfryjr]

Do you have a copy of the list of makers by any chance?

First thought that I had too Jack, wondering if the list is available anywhere besides the museum.

Thanks Brian,that is one of the best pictures I have seen of the knives.

 

[Augie]

Thanks Brian for reminding me of the knives in the museum, that will be a must visit if I ever make it out that way.

Right up front in the first row is a Barlow similar to this EF&S that I have, scratting and size.

 

[wlfryjr]

Nice old collection John.

I could see that scratted one in that picture too. It looks like a greens keeper knife, although I know it's not. ??

 

[waynorth]

Nice collection of ancients, John! You could post it every week and I'd never get tired of it!!

 

[Augie]

Charlie thanks, I never get tired of looking at your amazing collection of old ones, hope you are bringing some to display.

 

[Jack Black]

First thought that I had too Jack, wondering if the list is available anywhere besides the museum.

Thanks Brian,that is one of the best pictures I have seen of the knives.

It would be great to see a copy wouldn't it Lyle, maybe a list of patterns too? There are quite a few pics on the museum website, and I have posted a few in the Lambsfoot thread before (and elsewhere)

View attachment 746222 View attachment 746223

Amazing!

 

[Luger1952]

Here is a 3.5 inch Congress pattern I acquired a while back. It is catalog number 4577 (pg. 214 in Sellens) incised on the back or pile side of the primary sheepfoot. If it ever had KEEN KUTTER etched on the primary sheepfoot it is gone. The folder may have been lightly buffed prior to when it came into my possession. Never looks to have been sharpened post production and all blades are completely full.

 

[Jfowler]

Nice one Luger ! Looks like a older one and in excellent condition ! And long pulls all around! Awesome find there !

 

[supratentorial]

Nice barlows, Augie.

Luger, It's been buffed but it must have been in pretty good condition to begin with and it's a neat find. I know you already have a reference but here's one example of a catalog cut.

 

[Duckdog]

I previously posted this New York Knife Co. Hammer brand Coke bottle folder in an EDC thread in the Traditional Folders forum, but I guess that it's build-date of 1936-1937 tells me that it should be here, too. Still tight and sharp (don't ask how I know).

- Stuart

 

[herder]

Anyone ever been to the Steamboat Arabia museum in Kansas city? I love to visit there and see the growing display of axes, knives, hatchets, and wood working tools.

This ship sunk in 1856. Headed upriver with 200 tons of supplies for the western frontier hardware stores. Incredibly recovered and preserved in 1988.

A vast collection of pocket knives, axes of every description, and knives for trade and skinning / butchering.

I learn something new every time. The folders and fixed blades fascinate me, as do the axes and saws.

The designs of the 1850's show that little has changed from how the Case style pocket knives are made today. 165 years later. Have any of you been there?

I lot of these knives were made in England and New England. They have a list of the makers. Imagine if some of these would be available for purchase. It's some real history.

View attachment 746128
That is just a fraction of the folders. The museum is large. Curious if anyone has been there.

Aside from being such a great collection of old knives, this group is so important to collectors of antique cutlery. So little exact information exists for knives of that age that the knives themselves become a wonderful teaching tool in identifying patterns, blade shapes, handle materials and so on for that 1865 era. A visit to the museum would be nice, but to possibly handle and study some of those old knives would be fantastic.

 

[herder]

Thanks Brian for reminding me of the knives in the museum, that will be a must visit if I ever make it out that way.

Right up front in the first row is a Barlow similar to this EF&S that I have, scratting and size.

View attachment 746222 View attachment 746223

Great old Barlows, Augie. Love all the bolster stamps.

 

[herder]

I previously posted this New York Knife Co. Hammer brand Coke bottle folder in an EDC thread in the Traditional Folders forum, but I guess that it's build-date of 1936-1937 tells me that it should be here, too. Still tight and sharp (don't ask how I know).

- Stuart

Nice old knife, and who doesn't like a big old folding hunter?

 

[Brian77]

Aside from being such a great collection of old knives, this group is so important to collectors of antique cutlery. So little exact information exists for knives of that age that the knives themselves become a wonderful teaching tool in identifying patterns, blade shapes, handle materials and so on for that 1865 era. A visit to the museum would be nice, but to possibly handle and study some of those old knives would be fantastic.

I think that may be possible, if the person or organization would approach it through the proper channels. Historic preservation and documentation is important to what they have done. i will also ask about the list of knife and axe manufactors next time. I will ask the family member giving the tour the next time I get there.

 

[Burnt Stag]

The Steamboat Arabia Museum is a great place to visit. On my way out to Utah a couple months ago I made a stop there and it was awesome. The boat contained enough frontier supply to open a museum. very much worth the stop if you ever have the chance.
The cutlery is amazing and if someone with good cutlery credentials had the notion to study them there could be a lot learned of the time period. They have not sold a nail from the collection it is all there and saved as a complete time capsule of the 1850's.
The amount of Russell Green River Knives blew me away.
Here are a few pictures.
Burnt Stag

 

[lambertiana]

I previously posted this New York Knife Co. Hammer brand Coke bottle folder in an EDC thread in the Traditional Folders forum, but I guess that it's build-date of 1936-1937 tells me that it should be here, too. Still tight and sharp (don't ask how I know).

- Stuart

Since NYKC went out of business in 1931, this is at least that old. According to BRL, this pattern was very popular from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, pretty much gone from the market by about 1940.

 

[LongBlade]

The Steamboat Arabia Museum is a great place to visit. On my way out to Utah a couple months ago I made a stop there and it was awesome. The boat contained enough frontier supply to open a museum. very much worth the stop if you ever have the chance.
The cutlery is amazing and if someone with good cutlery credentials had the notion to study them there could be a lot learned of the time period. They have not sold a nail from the collection it is all there and saved as a complete time capsule of the 1850's.
The amount of Russell Green River Knives blew me away.
Here are a few pictures.
Burnt Stag

Thanks for posting and sharing those photos Bunrt Stag ... That museum is a bucket list item for me .....

 

[Burnt Stag]

You are welcome LongBlade.
That place is well worth the stop.
If an item was used in a 1850's frontier town , it was on that steamboat. Pontiled bottles of food and whisky still full with content. Building supplies , leather goods , clothes you name it.
Burnt Stag.

 

[Duckdog]

Since NYKC went out of business in 1931, this is at least that old. According to BRL, this pattern was very popular from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, pretty much gone from the market by about 1940.

Thanks for the info, lambertiana. I was using the Hammer Brand tang stamp from Imperial for 1936-1937, as they had taken over that brand in 1932. However, my knife is stamped "New York Knife Co" over "Walden", so it makes sense that the Imperial stamp chart would still be showing that stamp for 1936, and that mine is 1931 or earlier. I don't have an NYKC tang stamp chart.
- Stuart

 

[herder]

Here is a 3.5 inch Congress pattern I acquired a while back. It is catalog number 4577 (pg. 214 in Sellens) incised on the back or pile side of the primary sheepfoot. If it ever had KEEN KUTTER etched on the primary sheepfoot it is gone. The folder may have been lightly buffed prior to when it came into my possession. Never looks to have been sharpened post production and all blades are completely full.
View attachment 748074 View attachment 748072

Very nice Congress, and a great name to boot.