Penny Knife

[44-henry]

This should qualify as a traditional folder. Based on some examples from the late 18th century. Blister steel blade, rosewood handle. Handle is 4.25" long.

Thanks for looking

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Cool. Why is it called a penny knife?

 

[MunroClansman]

I like it. Really interesting handle and blade shape.

 

[Jack Black]

Unusual to see an Austrian Trattenbacher pic that Uncle Andi hasn't posted

 

[stevomiller]

Fantastic! Is it your own creation? If so, did you make the blister steel yourself?
Thanks for sharing,
Steve

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

Neat! What is blister steel?

 

[bemo]

I did a quick wiki search on blister steel. It was a process to make steel from iron by using layers of iron billet and charcoal and then heating them in specially made ovens for quite some time. Did you actually use a similar process to make your steel? If so that's a lot of work!

 

[Humppa]

That´s a nice looking Trattenbacher Taschenfeitel you have there. I made a thread some time ago, like Jack almost mentioned above, about this pattern. Take a look here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...cher-Taschenfeitel-a-typical-Austrian-pattern I don´t know where yours is made, but it´s a nice example and a real cutting devil...

Thanks for sharing this knife.

 

[44-henry]

The Trattenbacher Taschenfeitel is something I had never heard about before. The similarities between the two are quite striking. The knife I built above was patterned after some that I had seen online that were popular during the American revolutionary period. My understanding is that they were produced in large quantities in England and sold there for a penny, after transport to the other side of the pond they cost 2 pennies. Basically a very inexpensive knife that would have been popular with masses who couldn't afford a higher quality pocket knife.

Blister steel is the process of converting high grade iron into steel using a process called cementation. Basically it involves heating the iron bars in a packed container with charcoal, or other carbon material for extended periods of time at temperatures past critical. In large quantities the process might have continued for several days. As the process progressed the carbon was driven deeper into the material (much like pack hardening was used at the time). If enough time passed the carbon would pass completely through the bars. Carbon distribution would not have been very good due to factors such as temperature, location in the pack, and numerous other factors. To further refine it the steel was forged out and welded repeatedly basically in the same manner that we make laminated steel. This worked the carbon more uniformally in the material and also removed impurities. These stages resulted in shear, double shear, and even tripple shear grades of steel. Each getting progressively finer. Crucible steel was a later refinement.

My blister steel was made by packing in a bone/wood charcoal mix like I use for color case hardening. The temperature was increased to 2000 degrees F and held for three hours. Following this the temperature was reduced and the steel was removed from the pack to normalize. The surface was covered with small rough protrusions that give the appearance of blisters, hence the name. I tested samples of this material and it hardens and tempers decently. I was able to make a small spring from it without any troubles and figure that it has a carbon content around .95-1%. But that is only a guess. I really have no illusions that it is even close in quality to the most basic modern tool steels, but I did have fun playing with it. I have attached a photo of the plates as they came out of the pack.

 

[Cisco Kid]

Interesting thread. Just learned something new. Thanks for posting, Henry.

 

[mr_badexample]

Nice knife and thanks for the very informative post. Wish I could buy one like that for two pennies!

 

[Jack Black]

Sorry Henry, when I posted above I hadn't realised that this was a knife you'd made yourself. As Andi explains in his thread, very similiar knives are still produced in Austria (as below). Perhaps the pattern was brought to Sheffield by Austrian immigrants coming into the Sheffield steel and cutlery trade (including some of my own ancestors).

 

[akadave2]

Penny knife? Ill take a dollars worth then!

 

[Sonnemann]

I will gladly take it for $1.14 very nice work

 

[PaulBosley]

Love it, its not like any knife I've ever owned. Great job!! I too would gladly take a dollars worth lol I think I have a real dollar around here somewhere

 

[jackknife]

I love it!

I am getting more interested in those European penny knives and other friction folders all the time.
Carl.

 

[puukkoman]

Very nice! I like it.
(In fact, I'm working on a similar one myself, at the workshop. Mine's not made of home-made steel, though... Yours has way more cool-factor. )

 

[Lycosa]

A very nice folder, that! And, what a great blade shape.
I just learned about the penny knife at a local artesian show! A guy was selling these cool folders for $10. and they were selling fast.
I'd love to see a modern version so I just asked Daniel Fairly to think about making one or some.
rolf

 

[Bigfattyt]

Very cool.

After my exposure to Opinels, I appreciate this design even more.

 

[Lycosa]

Thanks, Matt.^
Are you getting one? I sure am but which one?
rolf