"Old Knives"

I just got this Camillus 70 today


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Like everyone a few days away from this thread and a slew of beautiful knives shown by all - think I hit "like" on all I missed... I actually think the "like" button is a great way to show your appreciation of the knives without 7 insert quotes and associated comments especially when you been away from the forum for days...

Here's one to show from me -

One of my many favorite old MA companies is Torrey from Worcester MA - 1858-1963… The company was indeed well known for their razors and merged with William Cowlishaw and Joseph Turner in 1880 (both emigrated here from Sheffield)… Mr. Turner and Torrey were the main organizers of the new Torrey company… Prior to 1880 they were known for their razor strops and straight razors - razors were imported for sale from Sweden and England (and maybe Germany)… After 1880 they began to produce their own razors and some pocket knives… their pocket knives appeared to be far less numerous than razors and seems some if not all pocket knives were contracted out to companies such as Burkinshaw and recently I heard Empire made some for Torrey…. One thing I can say is that their pocket knives were no doubt of high quality just based on all I have handled… I have 4 Torrey knives to show on the thread with the following being the first…

MOP 4-Blade Senator - Engraved Aluminum Bolsters (3 & 5/8”)

IMO I believe this to be one of their earlier knives - a large 4 blade Swell-Center Senator at 3 & 5/8” long (it is not small and has some girth – probably should have included a ruler for reference) .. fancy engraved aluminum bolsters with a more unique design in a certain sense (remember back in the late 1800s aluminum when first used was valued in the same category as gold and silver)…. Somewhat of a different design on the aluminum bolsters compared to the aluminum-handled knives that I have or have seen from other companies… I really like their use of the brass pins which accentuates the middle of the flowers :) …. While the two master blades have long pulls note the pen and manicure blade sport nail nicks. All hard snapping blades and all blades fall into their respective slots in the frame with no problem – one issue is a small metal mite bite near the tip of one master blade… now I have read somewhere and than again heard separately from a experienced MA collector that Burkinshaw made a fair amount of Torrey pocket knives – indeed this one was most probably made by Burkinshaw as discussed when I picked it up at the last NCCA show …. (Just as an aside Burkinshaw also made knives for Osgood Bray & Co in MA – Burkinshaw knives were indeed a wanted commodity in those days by companies and individuals… and still nice to have today as well ;) ...

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Thanks for looking!
Lee
 
There's been some amazing knives posted lately ! I've been wearing out the like button :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Here's a Cattaraugus that came in the mail today. Got it off the big auction site.The full details were not disclosed in the description and certainly not in the pictures. I'm a bit of a novice on these old knives so opinions are appreciated. As you see one end appears either dropped on concrete or it's the work of a mechanic? The damaged end has a brass shim and The other doesn't? The blades on the damaged end are stiff to open but snap shut. The other end snaps nice opening and closing. Lots of original finish left, very lightly used.
The guy does offer returns so I do have that option, I doubt I would have bid as much had the photos shown the damage.
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Is that brass spacer on the end opposite the master blade? It could well be that way from the factory, so that they could put a thick master and thin punch on the same spring.
 
Yes it's on the opposite end of the master blade. The master blade is thicker than the pair on the opposite end.
Thanks
 
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Mike Robuck said:
Lee, if I could hit the "like" button 10 times I would for this one! Very interesting knife and company.
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Thanks Mike - that is a much appreciated comment my friend :thumbsup::thumbsup: ... and thanks to all for the "likes" on the knife!!

Great Napanoch posted Mike :thumbsup: - and RockmanO - Nice Cattaraugus :thumbsup: .....

This whole thread from the beginning which moves fast has an amazing amount of great knives :D ....
 
Rob, I like it, in fact I like it alot. I don't see extensive damage, in fact I see it as telling a story of it's life. It has great covers, full blades and by your description, functionality:thumbsup: that's a great one to carry, I'd say ya done good;)
 
Thanks Paul, my first impression was it had been dropped but I'm just not familiar with signs of a mechanic monkeying with a knife.
 
rockman0 said:
Thanks Paul, my first impression was it had been dropped but I'm just not familiar with signs of a mechanic monkeying with a knife.
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The brass might be a "catch bit" as described by a previous post. Photos of the well with the blades open would help.

I see no signs that a "mechanic" messed with it.

The damage on the bolsters is from a impact of some sort. Could have been dropped or used as a hammer. I've seen bolsters on old knives that had damage from driving nails, etc!

Very well preserved oldie
 
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Augie.
Great finds - as per usual my friend. That H & B is an old Beauty- I agree with Charlie- definitely Horn!
Your other two are again fantastic- that Ulster Jack!!!! Wow what a great find, and to boot not many Cat Scouts out there - now that had the wee compass once?
 
Lovely Serpentine Pal Augie. Beautiful condition- beautiful knife - well done.

SteveC.
that's a great Camillus Equal Ender. They really knew how to make a great knife- I have always stated that Camillus were right up there with the best - and yet to see otherwise.
The Blades are just great- love the Spey shape- that big Sheeps- foot- and that great Main.
Camillus Bone is great stuff!

Lee.
What a great old Knife- nice find with that Torrey! Pearl being the most expensive Handle cover in those days by far - and as you say Aluminium was a precious thing then!

Mike my friend.
Oh man how often do you see such a incredible knife in such shape? Stunning .... now I'm picking that old Knife will have a substantially sized Spring & Spine on the main- like our older J A Henckels? Do you happen to have an " above " shot - open ?

RockmanO
Wow - that's a very nice Knife- I would rather have that Knife than not - but I see your point- the Seller should have described that.
In saying that - that Knife is spectacular, and I would loathe to return it. Not often one comes across such a neat Catt, well done.

What a fantastic Thread full of Beautiful Knives.
 
Augie, very nice flea market finds. While both are sure treasures, my taste sees the Ulster Jack as absolutely scrumptious. Thanks for sharing.
 
rockman0 said:
Yes it's on the opposite end of the master blade. The master blade is thicker than the pair on the opposite end.
Thanks
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My Catt has the same brass catchbit. It looks like someone used the end of the knife as a hammer. . . Sigh!
Too common a mistake!
 
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Let's check that Punch out again!

Looking carefully- it seems to be a two fold Lamination- obvious on the top Photo and if you look carefully in the second where the Punch lip ends- Tang End- you can see the joining " V"( top - or Spine of the Punch).

That is really interesting and the first I have seen !
I really like that Knife! Nice one Rockman0 :thumbsup:
 
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