Prune Big, or Go Home!

[Jack Black]

Yours is probably only the third one I've seen pics of. I've never seen one in person or online for sale (yet) but hope that someday I will. I think that either Wilkinson Sword didn't make very many of these, or they aren't seen as interesting or valuable by most knife aficionados, because even online they're pretty rare. Glad you found such a nice one - congrats!

Thanks Tyson, I should take some better pics. I'm not sure who made them (though I have an idea), Wilkinson Sword had a lot of knives made up in Sheffield, over the years, but usually fixed blade/kitchen knives

 

[Jack Black]

No maker's name on the tang of this old Sheffield Pruner unfortunately

 

[waynorth]

No maker's name on the tang of this old Sheffield Pruner unfortunately

Interesting anomaly!! Maybe it was etched at one time??

 

[Jack Black]

Interesting anomaly!! Maybe it was etched at one time??

It's annoyingly common with small Sheffield cutlers Charlie It was only in his later years that someone persuaded Trevor Ablett to start putting his name on his knives, and even then he only etched the blades

 

[Jack Black]

Another anonymous Pruner

 

[waynorth]

I have slowly realized, that smaller cutlery businesses have used pre-made "universal" parts
for many years, in America, France and England - that I know of!!
Stamping out parts, and marking them, requires bigger machinery, than assembly and finishing!
So if you want to become an independent cutler, at least when you start out, you buy parts!! Having them marked with your stamp is a financial decision, depending on your end user probably!!

 

[Jack Black]

I have slowly realized, that smaller cutlery businesses have used pre-made "universal" parts
for many years, in America, France and England - that I know of!!
Stamping out parts, and marking them, requires bigger machinery, than assembly and finishing!
So if you want to become an independent cutler, at least when you start out, you buy parts!! Having them marked with your stamp is a financial decision, depending on your end user probably!!

That only happened in 'recent' years in Sheffield Charlie, but they stamped out the same blade patterns with ancient 'tools'. Many of the Little Mesters received parts from the firms they worked for though. They made them up into knives, and went to get their pay under the old '(de)liver and draw' system

These stamping (or 'blanking') tools from Wright's are probably well over 100 years old. If you examine the Clip blade, for example, it's the same as the one used by TEW, Rodgers, Wostenholm, and probably lots of other Sheffield firms

 

[Fodderwing]

I love this image Harvey. This really accents the fancy pants and all round design of these little knives.

Super cool pruner Jack. What is the dimensions of it and roughly when would you say it was made?

 

[Jack Black]

Super cool pruner Jack. What is the dimensions of it and roughly when would you say it was made?

Thanks Harvey, midnight here, but I'll try to remember to measure it tomorrow Off-hand, it's about #15 size I think. I would have thought it was made in the 70 's or 80's

 

[Wild Willie]

I'm not sure it's as big as some of Charlie's and Jack's pruners, but this Case that arrived yesterday is pretty big. Just been toting it around the house and yard. Won't be long before it sees some work carry though.

 

[cigarrodog]

I love this image Harvey. This really accents the fancy pants and all round design of these little knives.

Many thanks Dwight.

 

[waynorth]

(Posted before!!)
Gordon was a Master Horticulturist - His degree was from Edinburgh University!
He did great work for the City of Vancouver (many public gardens), and for the University of British Columbia when he immigrated to Canada!! He co-Grandfathered my two youngest Grand-Boys, until he passed away 5-6 years ago!! Never got to see the Boys, now 1 and 4 years!! I didn't know Gordon well, but inherited his "kit", just because I am a knife collector!! I will mount them in a shadowbox for the boys, so they will have a taste of the Grandpa they didn't know!!
His full time companions;

 

[Primble]

Fantastic Charlie and I am glad you brought this thread back. I couldn't remember the title exactly. Oh boy ............... now I can start all over !
I give your post above double love !!! You need magnets ?

 

[waynorth]

Thanks for the kind words, Rob!!
I have lots of magnets, but thanks!!
Knife content!!
1965 - 1969 Pruner from Case!! Looks like the factory edge!!

 

[Jack Black]

 

[Augie]

Added a decent Remington R698 hawkbill this week, pretty full blade and a very faint etch.

 

[Wild Willie]

Now that is a winner right there! What a cool piece.

 

[Jack Black]

Now that is a winner right there! What a cool piece.

Thanks Willie

 

[Jack Black]

Three Sheldon Pruners (Albert Oates, Wade & Butcher, A. Wright)

 

[Wild Willie]

Thanks Willie

You're very welcome my friend. Not to derail the thread, but would that have been carried in a pouch, or loose in the pocket? Seems a bit bulky to have been pocket carried...