Sheffield Spring Knife Patterns of 1816

Jack Black said:
Thanks Duane, I'm glad they were of interest to you my friend, some really beautiful patterns there aren't there? :) :thumbup:
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There sure are! I want to spend more time looking at the fine details of quite a few of them, the examples shown with metal covers are striking. The penknives are pretty cool as well, to think of the level of craftsmanship put into everyday items.
 
sitflyer said:
There sure are! I want to spend more time looking at the fine details of quite a few of them, the examples shown with metal covers are striking. The penknives are pretty cool as well, to think of the level of craftsmanship put into everyday items.
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Even more incredible when you think how little cutlers were paid for their work (though the pay was good compared to other trades).
 
How did I miss this thread??
Whoever said these pics would make good posters was absolutely right!
Thanks for taking us back a couple of centuries, Jack!
I'd like to go through those catalogs and have every one of them made!! I wonder if Bill would go for it!
 
waynorth said:
How did I miss this thread??
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LOL! I didn't realise you hadn't seen this thread Charlie!! :eek: :D Well if you want high quality versions of the images, they're on the disk I sent (the PDF file is just called 'Smith's Key' I think). ;) :thumbup:
 
These scans are real treasures. Thanks for the great info and illustrations!!:) :thumbup:
 
Certainly not Sheffield or from the 19th century, but this 3 1/2" pearl handled four bladed double-ended gunstock penknife does mimic the one from one of the pages Jack posted.

This knife dates from about 1900, as it has no pattern number which they started using soon after that date, there are long pulls on all blades and all carry the same tang stamp, which has been estimated to date 1900 to 1916.





I really like the illustrations from Smith's Key that Jack posted.

Very Interesting. Very nice.
 
Wow, jack, that is a very nice set of pics. Very early as well, 1816.... very interesting patterns.

thanks for showing these. I would love to get a copy of that book.

all the best
Steve
 
Thanks Steve :thumbup:

Charlie, that knife is both interesting and beautiful :thumbup:
 
Thanks. You did say to post them if we had them.

I'd truly like to have a set of those images.
 
Fascinating illustrations! It's interesting to speculate on the history of the blades we have today. For instance, I've heard it said that the clip blade gained its popularity from the Bowie knife, which probably derived its blade shape from the Spanish navaja, perhaps via Mexican examples. But if you look at the tiny little blades on those pen-knives, presumably intended for carving quills, they do look mighty clip-ish, don't they? Hmm...
 
CNoyes said:
Thanks. You did say to post them if we had them.

I'd truly like to have a set of those images.
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Sending you a PM Charlie :thumbup:

GaiusJulius said:
Fascinating illustrations! It's interesting to speculate on the history of the blades we have today. For instance, I've heard it said that the clip blade gained its popularity from the Bowie knife, which probably derived its blade shape from the Spanish navaja, perhaps via Mexican examples. But if you look at the tiny little blades on those pen-knives, presumably intended for carving quills, they do look mighty clip-ish, don't they? Hmm...
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There are knives from the Iron Age with blades which could certainly be loosely described as clipped :thumbup:
 
I'm interested that one of the "sportsman's knives" feature a fleam. Something a horseman would no doubt have wanted in case a bloodletting was required in the field or a vet was not available. Bloodletting was still being done for laminitis and edema in the legs ("stocking up") well into the 20h cent., after all. Carefully placed incisions are still made in the hoof for abcesses, even today. But I don't think my vet carries a fleam in his kit. Maybe I should get him one? :)

Think we can get Victorinox to reissue their Equestrian with these features? No. 263 has a hoof pick, even.

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Zieg
 
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I have posted this a few times but thought it fit well with the Joseph Smith illustrations and the date of 1816.
A quill knife with a Guillotine for clipping the sharpened tip. Marked either Geo or William 4th to His Majesty.
The knife although well used still snaps perfectly after 200 years.:)

Best regards

Robin


 
Jack Black said:
Absolutely fantastic Robin :thumbup:
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Thanks Jack, it is a truly wonderful little knife, the file is still sharp, the section in front of the file that does the clipping in the quillotine slot is a separate grind (one sided) to the front which is a normal flat grind. The interior is lined in ivory for 2/3rds of the length where the blades struck, so there is a history of the oringinal blade lengths. If you look closely in picture 1 you can see the tiny little "pin" kick on the small pen blade which seems unworn.

Best regards

Robin
 
Thanks for the extra details Robin, what a wonderful find :)
 
Wow, now that is a knife catalog!
Can anyone tell me what the blade style with the spike thingy ( I am .99% sure that is the correct term' for it :p ) was used for?
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