"Old Knives"

shaldag · Mar 2, 2009

I love that Keen Kutter pattern.

The pattern was reproduced using premium materials by C. Gray Taylor, one of the premium slipjoint pattern makers out there. He had an exclusive marketing thing going with Dan Delavan for awhile. (This should not count as shilling since nobody can find any of 'em anymore anyhoo anywhere anyways.

)

waynorth · Mar 2, 2009

shaldag said:
I love that Keen Kutter pattern.

The pattern was reproduced using premium materials by C. Gray Taylor, one of the premium slipjoint pattern makers out there. He had an exclusive marketing thing going with Dan Delavan for awhile. (This should not count as shilling since nobody can find any of 'em anymore anyhoo anywhere anyways. )

Do you know of any pictures anywhere, anyhoo???

KnifeHead · Mar 2, 2009

This Cattaraugus tuxedo is 2 13/16" long, has perfect swedging and half stops...an amazing piece of "cattlery". It appears that the blades have never been sharpened. There doesn't appear to be a pattern number on the tang. Is this an indicator of the age of this knife?

Notice how the center of the trough is wider to allow passage of the blades. How the heck do they do that!!

KnifeHead · Mar 2, 2009

Sheffield cutler, BROOKSBANK (1849-1932) 3.5" sleeveboard pen. This APPEARS to be covered in ivory BUT it's the faux ivory common on the modern office knives. The knife still works great and there is no play, which seems incredible for an old shadow.

d.parker · Mar 2, 2009

Nice Ole knives Kerry. I see why that Ivory shadow doesn't have blade play on the main someone pinched the scales together. I don't know if sans pattern number on the Catt. dates it or not ?

PS... you think they just bowed the back spring to gain clearance ??

waynorth · Mar 2, 2009

Great Scott! It looks like they put twists in the liners of that Catt! Amazing, Gracey!! I wonder if the warmed up the handles to fit them?

An enigma for we who follow!

Now if those handles on the Brooksbank are Ivory, they are the model they used to create the "french" stuff

! Sort of the quintessential color pattern. Are you sure?? Did you do the razor test, Kerry??

KnifeHead · Mar 3, 2009

Darrell...the backspring on the Catt. is the same thickness end to end. They bowed out the liners in the center on the open side, GUTSY!

Tell me the razor test again, I forget

In the mean time...I heated up a pin and did some prickin around...it's faux sho not ivory.

waynorth · Mar 3, 2009

The razor test!
Take a very sharp blade, razor or knife (I use my WT!).
Put the knife in question on the table crosswise in front of you. Rest your sharp blade on the handle like you are making a "T", or you are going to cut that sucker in half!!

With very light pressure, slide your sharp blade sideways like you are "scraping" the handle in question.

On bone and most Ivory the blade will skitter or skate, as bone is so hard.
On cell, delrin, or most other plastics, the blade will "bite", and resist sliding sideways!
Doesn't hurt a bit!!

Trust Me!

BJE · Mar 3, 2009

I got this old knife yesterday, I thought you might like to see it and maybe someone can give me some info about it. All I know is that it was made in Germany and has the best super thin carbon steel blades I have run across. The tang stamp says "Mayer" in a diamond and Germany under that. This knife has better snap than any modern knife I own, the springs have the right tension and are not overly strong at all, but it has amazing snap and crisp half stops. A very small amount of play in the main blade but it is hardly noticeable, not bad for an old knife that looked to be abused when I got it.

When I got it, the blades had more to them than they do now. Someone had chipped both blades badly on something and I took it upon myself to keep sharpening 'till I had a useable edge, I just had to remove alot of steel to do it.

JatMat · Mar 3, 2009

I have heard of "safe Queens" before, but never seen an "Ice Queen"

Great old knife.
Thanks for sharing,
Jim

shaldag · Mar 3, 2009

waynorth said:
Do you know of any pictures anywhere, anyhoo???

Try the link below. You can enjoy looking at his other knives as well.

http://www.cgraytaylor.net/folders5.html

I should add that in addition to being a great maker, Gray and his wife Evelyn are very fine people--exactly the type of folks that make knife collecting such a pleasure.

BJE · Mar 3, 2009

James Todd said:
I have heard of "safe Queens" before, but never seen an "Ice Queen"
Great old knife.
Thanks for sharing,
Jim

We just had about 6in. of snow in SC, figured I would use the rare occurance to take some outdoor photos. Snow reflects light well, I like the way the pics turned out. I may have to start taking pics of my knives on top of snow cones

.

smiling-knife · Mar 3, 2009

I really like the old penknives guys. Thanks very much for showing them. The 'shadow' pattern is very traditional for Sheffield penknives. BJE.... according to Goins book, your Mayer knife dates from 1920-1922. This was a New York based importer of German knives.

BJE · Mar 3, 2009

smiling-knife said:
I really like the old penknives guys. Thanks very much for showing them. The 'shadow' pattern is very traditional for Sheffield penknives. BJE.... according to Goins book, your Mayer knife dates from 1920-1922. This was a New York based importer of German knives.

Thanks, I really need to get a knife book. I didn't think it was that old.

smiling-knife · Mar 5, 2009

Following on from Kerry's post.... Another shadow pattern sleeveboard penknife. The William Rodgers name and I Cut My Way trademark were acquired by John Clarke & Sons back in the mid 1800s.

Will Power · Mar 5, 2009

S-K's latest offering (an escapee from the British Museum or similar treasure house..) could be one of the most beautiful knives displayed!

Look at that bone and shield.

Somewhat reminds me of the forthcoming CASE/Bose 'Norfolk' collaboration,which all goes to show that the past still greatly influences our present. Thank you for letting us look on in wonder s-k.

KnifeHead · Mar 5, 2009

Here's another pen...this time it's a 2 5/8" Holley MoP Senator. The Holley Mfg. Co. stamp was used from 1846-1930. This little knife works perfectly with some serious snap and looks almost new.

VCM3 · Mar 6, 2009

Solid brass handles & pins,5.5 ozs ! 3.5" knife

VCM3 · Mar 6, 2009

Ebony,4.5" knife

VCM3 · Mar 6, 2009

4.5" knife ,anyone ever seen one like this ?