Sheffield Exhibition Knives book

gorlank

gorlank

Joined
Jan 26, 2003
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237
I finally broke down and ordered a copy last week while being stuck indoors during the big blizzard that hit the northeast. I got it today and it is worth every cent. It is filled with exquisite photos of some breathtaking knives. My favorite are the multiblade sportsman knives by Wostenholm and Joseph Rodgers. The quality of these knives are remarkable and a testament to the great Sheffield cutlers. Anyone looking for a great knife fix should give this book a gander.


Dave
 
I agree one of my favorites and worth every penny!
 
Great book, it was the golden age of knife making. What's really amazing is they did it with grinders powered by water wheels, coal fires, and human sweat, not much else.
Also recommend "The Sheffield Knife Book" by Geoffrey Tweedle for more about the history and methods of the period.
 
If you like the pictures, you should see some of them in person! One of my closest "knife friends" is an authority on this stuff, and has a mind boggleing collection, :eek: ! I get nervous when he stops by my office to "play with toys", because mine can be replaced and his can't :( .
 
I,ve had the good fortune of seeing and handling them too. One of the books authors, Bill Claussen, has an incredible knife store in Salem, Or., Northwest Knives & Collectables. He always has pieces on display and for sale. I have a small collection of more modest pieces myself. I also have some very nice modern customs made by some of the best in the business. I can say without hesitation that the Sheffield pieces are the equal in all but the micro-tolerances that todays makers can achieve. When you factor in the methods and tools available for construction, In my opinon the Sheffield pieces are superior. Their are very few modern makers who will even try to tackle an old multiblade pattern. That's not a knock against any custom makers, but a nod to the incredible and mostly anonymous craftsman of the past. Here's a tired but true cliche, 'They don't make'em like they used too'.
 
Gorlank, I'd save your 5 grand on that one. It's really been used up and the sheath is definitely not original. Nothing is scarier than old bowies, though that one does look original. Fortunately, you don't have to spend that much to get a nice Sheffield piece. I've picked up some nice smaller multiblades for as little as $150. Unfortunatley, if you want an exhibition quality piece that is larger than 4" closed it probably will cost from $500 to 5 figures.
A fellow knife collector and friend recently picked up an incredible multiblade that was 6 1/2" closed and weighed 1 1/2lb. It was listed on eBay, the pictures were poor and the seller had no idea what it was. He took a chance and got it for $485. We flipped out when it arrived. It was mint except for some slight age pitting. My friend is pretty well connected in the knife world and he turned around and sold it to a collector for $5000! Admittedly, this was an exceptional circumstance, but it's this kind of thing that keeps me hunting.
By the way, my friend does have sellers remorse.:)
 
thanks for the advice Mike, there are some amazing items that pop up on ebay. Kudoes to your friend for picking up that hidden treasure. I dearly want one of the beautiful Sheffield sportsman multiblade folders and have been saving for a nice one. There are a lot of vintage farrier/utility folders that pop up on ebay but the ones I have seen have been used hard. I am going to hit a big custom show in a couple of weeks and might come home with something nice. In the meantime I will just have to drool at the pics in the book.

best wishes
Dave
 
Dave, Don't drool too much, that's an expensive book! I envy the position that your in, let us know how it goes.
Your right about the farrier/utilitie's usually being used up, they were actual working knives though. You'll have better luck finding a nice sportsman's or gentleman's knife. If the show is a major one, you might look up a purveyor named David Petty. He always has some nice pieces and is a real deal English gent. You won't find a bargain though! Actually, his prices are fair and it is a buyers market so you never know.
Finally, remember the 3 C's of collecting....Condition, Condition, Condition.
I'm excited for you man!
 
Actually, that's (flipping for such large amounts) not all too unusual. My buddy was telling me that he knows of one knife that was flipped 4 times in the SAME SHOW! It started at $500 and by the end of the show sold for $20,000!:eek: :eek:
 
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