reproduction folders

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harpers ferry

Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Messages
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I'm interested in the types of folders from the mid-19th century and earlier.
This is a three part question.
1) who makes repro folders of better than junk quality. I don't care about inexpensive, because cheap and inexpensive are not the same. I know about Mohawk Valley Knives and they may be a quality knife but they are more than I can afford right now.
2) Did lock blades exist back in the days of yore? I am assuming that locking blades did not exist then, but to assume is... well you know the next line.
3) Short of an inexpensive repro of half decent quality, is there a current production folder that is " so close" that it could be taken for something from back in the olden days. Thanks for your input on this subject.
 
harpers ferry said:
I'm interested in the types of folders from the mid-19th century and earlier.
This is a three part question.
Click to expand...

2) Did lock blades exist back in the days of yore? I am assuming that locking blades did not exist then, but to assume is... well you know the next line.
Click to expand...

Locking folders have been around since at least the late 1700's, the difference is the style. Many older locking folders left a little hump on the locking bar that you pressed, it is exactly like the lock backs of today except less streamlined. The streamlined versions that has the locking bar lever inline with the liners/frame doesn't show up until a bit later.

The Ring lock style(you pull a ring on the locking bar to release the blade) was around then also.

Butterfly type knives were around on a limited basis.

3) Short of an inexpensive repro of half decent quality, is there a current production folder that is " so close" that it could be taken for something from back in the olden days. Thanks for your input on this subject.
Click to expand...

Okapi is a ring locking folder that is like the older styles. Traditional French and Italian knives are similar to the knives that were around. Opinel knives are based on an older style.

Barlow, Congress, plain jack and pen style knives are ok for the time period also.

Edit: Here's a link to Okapi, check out te pocke knife section.

Okapi Knives - Knife Manufacturers, Agricultural Hand Tools - South Africa
Address:http://www.okapi-knives.com/ .
 
I believe there are lots, Spanish navajas, French knives from Nontron, Laguiole and Opinel, English jacks from Wostenholm and Rodgers, try a Google search and browse around.

Luis
 
I don't know if this is what you're looking for but I believe this IXL lockback folder is still being made. Since IXL has no U.S. distribution and since, this knife is illegal in England, it may be hard to find.

ixl.jpg
 
since I did the original post I've done some more research, bought some jack knives, an okapi ring lock and ressurected a barehead jack that I found lying around the house. Mohawk Valley knives make custom pocket knives of the era. At around $125-$150 they are quality but not cheap. They are on Orchard Hill Sutlery website. Just Google it. The info on the knives is worthwhile reading...
 
DJ Wolf, are those repros from that site not quality? Have you ordered one? Just wondering as I was thinking about getting one.
 
They have carbon steel blades with wood ,bone ,horn and brass; they are period correct materials. Looks like PC patterns too. I'm really curious, almost curious enough to buy one just to find out, or at least call. You guys are a bad influence on my budget.
 
At those prices, the knives are most likely from Pakistan or if your lucky, India.

While a bit more expensive, try a place that deals in foreign knives like www.cutlerytogo.com . I haven't dealt with them, but I've heard good things from others. They deal in many old style French and Italian knives that are similar to old patterns.
 
Not yet, I emailed:

"Hello,
I was wondering if your knives were made in-house or were imported.....especially the #104, #105, #290 and #292. Are these knives in stock? "

The reply:


"We do some final assembly here..But the blades and scales are imported.
Most all knives are in stock..Right now we are out of the 104 soldiers and
the 290 V.F. knife. Should be here in a month or so."

Still tempted though...:)
 
They say they are in Valley Forge which is right around the corner from me. If I can get over there and check them out, I will, but it will have to wait until I'm free. Might be a week or two.
 
That would be cool if you could.

If so, thanks, and if ya can't, thanks for the thought.

:)
 
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