"Old Knives"

Western cutlery co. Poor condition but i had to have the bolster stamp for my little barlow collection. I was surprised both blades still have strong snap opening and closing. Somebody wouldn't give up on the secondary blade and made a nice little coping blade out of it.
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rockman0 said:
Western cutlery co. Poor condition but i had to have the bolster stamp for my little barlow collection. I was surprised both blades still have strong snap opening and closing. Somebody wouldn't give up on the secondary blade and made a nice little coping blade out of it.
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What a neat bolster stamp, and there's years of life left in those blades!

Better than this KA BAR I recently picked up. I think it's pretty old, and I can guess which blade wasn't the favorite. :D
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Since we've been discussing celluloid around here: the covers look to be some sort of pre-Delrin synthetic. Maybe some sort of hard rubber? It seems stable so I'm going to clean it up and see how it handles plastic clam-shell packaging. ;)
 
Jak3 said:
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I really have been trying to get more antique knives because although I love traditional knives, it seems I have more new "traditional" style knives than I do antique ones. This is what I've got so far and I really like them. This thread is motivation to find more old knives. Great photographs everyone. I enjoy reading and learning about old knives.
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Good work and keep at it. You can't go wrong with an additional fine knife in the pocket. (But, be careful, as you can go broke or crazy. Moderation in all things, right?)
- Stuart
 
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rockman0 said:
Western cutlery co. Poor condition but i had to have the bolster stamp for my little barlow collection. I was surprised both blades still have strong snap opening and closing. Somebody wouldn't give up on the secondary blade and made a nice little coping blade out of it.
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This is the first time that I have ever seen that bolster stamp . Is there any " Country of Mfg. " shown on the tang stamp ? There was a German / Austrian company from 1874 to 1914 as well as the more commonly known one from the U.S.A. . Very nice looking knife to me and I really like that Bolster .

Harry
 
Old Engineer Old Engineer Yes it's stamped Germany and you are correct with the date range. For a 100+ year old knife it could be in worse condition. I like the way they left the bone proud against the bolsters creating a nice thick handle.
 
Here is an early Schrade Cut with arched tang stamp. English Jack 4.5 inches closed. I got this example at the OKCA show a couple years back. It is in very high grade condition with very little evidence of use. Pick bone is in great shape with no cracks or splits as is common with this type of bone handle jigging. I believe I posted a photo of this folder on the Elusive Schrades thread but thought a photo belonged on this Old Knives thread also. Charlie and Knowtracks (Dave) have seen and handled it if I am not mistaken.
IMG_1848.JPG IMG_1849.JPG Thanks for looking and commenting!
 
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THAT! ........... my friend is one ab-so-lutely stunning Knife.
That Early Peach Seed Bone almost resembles the Early Pic Bone - or the Early Pic Bone resembles the Earlier Peach Seed Bone- as there is a very defined pattern to that Bone?
Oh man the Shield- That Stamping- Those Blades!!!!! SPECTACULAR.
 
Not ancient, but 51-66 years old now. It's in such great shape because it's a bear trap. Other than the main blade the tools are practically unopenable making the knife nearly useless. Since picking it up last weekend, I've been resting the knife with all the tools half open in a (probably vain) attempt to relax the springs.

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Luger1952 said:
Here is an early Schrade Cut with arched tang stamp. English Jack 4.5 inches closed. I got this example at the OKCA show a couple years back. It is in very high grade condition with very little evidence of use. Pick bone is in great shape with no cracks or splits as is common with this type of bone handle jigging. I believe I posted a photo of this folder on the Elusive Schrades thread but thought a photo belonged on this Old Knives thread also. Charlie and Knowtracks (Dave) have seen and handled it if I am not mistaken.
View attachment 817859 View attachment 817858 Thanks for looking and commenting!
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Campbellclanman said:
THAT! ........... my friend is one ab-so-lutely stunning Knife.
That Early Peach Seed Bone almost resembles the Early Pic Bone - or the Early Pic Bone resembles the Earlier Peach Seed Bone- as there is a very defined pattern to that Bone?
Oh man the Shield- That Stamping- Those Blades!!!!! SPECTACULAR.
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Lloyd, Duncan stole my exact words, way to go Duncan!!!...he always does that:eek::D honestly, just a wonderful knife:thumbsup:

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE:)
 
Wow, herder, a serpentine doc's knife, never seen another one!

And Lloyd, that is easily one of the nicest CUT COs I've seen, just fantastic!
 
herder said:
Walk away for a few cashews, and come back to 3 new pages... :)
Wonderful knives everyone and what a treat to see so many!!!
Here is an old pearl handled Ulster Physician's knife with a secondary spatula blade.

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herder, amazing what I miss when it's right in front of my eyes!!! BEAUTIFUL pearl Ulster that one is:thumbsup: Great photo and prop:cool: Have a Merry Christmas my friend:)
 
Thanks Charlie, I've had that darn Walden for a very long time. Almost forgot about it.

There are some really great knives posted here the Catt is a beauty and the Electric's man they are nice!!
 
r8shell said:
What a neat bolster stamp, and there's years of life left in those blades!

Better than this KA BAR I recently picked up. I think it's pretty old, and I can guess which blade wasn't the favorite. :D
View attachment 817725
Since we've been discussing celluloid around here: the covers look to be some sort of pre-Delrin synthetic. Maybe some sort of hard rubber? It seems stable so I'm going to clean it up and see how it handles plastic clam-shell packaging. ;)
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It is probably one of the more stable variations of celluloid, looks like your Ka-Bar there is 1930-1940 and plastics were quite a bit better by then but they feel like cheap plastic when you tap on them. Possibly styrene... Codger posted this many years ago:
"Handle materials early on were mostly one of three materials; Metal (as on a lot of “waldemar “ knives), jigged bone (also including antler and horn), and synthetics (mainly variations of celluloids). Each of these materials have negative traits which caused the knife manufacturers to try all types of alternatives.

The progress made in the 20th century in plastics development was key to the advancement of knife handle materials. Celluloid, somewhat corrosive and dimensionally unstable (and highly flammable), was replaced by more modern plastics which were in many ways just as nice in appearance, and much more stable over a long period of time.

Likewise, natural animal derived handle materials were by and large replaced with plastics formed to imitate the appearance and feel of bone, antler, and horn, as well as ivory. A revolution in plastics molding technology, co-developed with improved plastics, eliminated much handwork required in matching and fitting the natural materials.

Also, the advent of processes to “anodize” metals and plate plastics made it possible to own a “gold” or “silver” knife at a fraction of the cost of the genuine article.

Early plastic handles were a type of styrene. Styrene is more stable than celluloid, and cheaper than imported antler to produce and assemble, but still not both hard and completely dimensionally stable."

- V_P
 
Augie said:
Nice old knives everyone, see some great ones lately.

Picked up this nice old Cat this week, boys knife size,3 1/4", has had very little use and still shows some of original blade grinds, fantastic jigged worm groove bone. Originally I thought the shield being canted a little was a factory defect but then realized it was fitted so the tip of the shield fit in the worm groove.

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Just beautiful Augie !!!! Merry Christmas to you and your wife John !!!

Harry
 
veitsi_poika said:
It is probably one of the more stable variations of celluloid, looks like your Ka-Bar there is 1930-1940 and plastics were quite a bit better by then but they feel like cheap plastic when you tap on them. Possibly styrene... Codger posted this many years ago:
"Handle materials early on were mostly one of three materials; Metal (as on a lot of “waldemar “ knives), jigged bone (also including antler and horn), and synthetics (mainly variations of celluloids). Each of these materials have negative traits which caused the knife manufacturers to try all types of alternatives.

The progress made in the 20th century in plastics development was key to the advancement of knife handle materials. Celluloid, somewhat corrosive and dimensionally unstable (and highly flammable), was replaced by more modern plastics which were in many ways just as nice in appearance, and much more stable over a long period of time.

Likewise, natural animal derived handle materials were by and large replaced with plastics formed to imitate the appearance and feel of bone, antler, and horn, as well as ivory. A revolution in plastics molding technology, co-developed with improved plastics, eliminated much handwork required in matching and fitting the natural materials.

Also, the advent of processes to “anodize” metals and plate plastics made it possible to own a “gold” or “silver” knife at a fraction of the cost of the genuine article.

Early plastic handles were a type of styrene. Styrene is more stable than celluloid, and cheaper than imported antler to produce and assemble, but still not both hard and completely dimensionally stable."

- V_P
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Thanks, V_P. I'll do some reading about styrene.
 
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