Sheffield Steel

knowtracks · Mar 2, 2008

On Jan. 15th the NKCA put some duplicate knives up for auction. Of all the hundreds of lots up for bid the English Horn Handled variety really spoke to me. I ended up winning 6 lots, some English & some American made with horn, stag & bone scales.
The Sheepsfoot & Lambsfoot blades on the Sheffield knives have really caught my interest of late. The only difference I can see from photos is how the end of the blade is ground to a more abrupt end on the Sheepsfoot & a little more tapper with the Lambsfoot blade. I mean long the top of the blade where the swedge is ground. (If there are other differences or a more factual way of describing them PLEASE correct me)
My fascination with this blade shape started with Wharncliffe look of the Swayback Folder, the feel of the Swayback & the older English knives is remarkably similar. I wonder if Mr. Bose perhaps got his inspiration from the older Sheffield tools.
Anyway here are a few of the knives that came my way, I'll post more later so they won't overload.

1st up are the Ford & Medley, Sheffield
Tang stamp- 137 Arundel St. Sheffield England
Back tang stamp- Rope in a figure 8 with L and M

Dave

knowtracks · Mar 2, 2008

Up next is this MONSTER stag lockback from AJAX Cutlery, Sheffield
At 5 1/8" closed & 9" open she's a handfull

Too bad someone really took the buffer to her

Dave

sunburst · Mar 2, 2008

Bring it on Dave those are great looking specimens..Your photos are incredible with great detail..Thanks for sharing with us..

Sunburst

d.parker · Mar 2, 2008

Nice ones knowtracks

KnifeHead · Mar 2, 2008

Old knives ROCK! They were made to be used not to win any dang contests! The flush joints on the knives in the 3rd image are SCARY FLUSH! This is the kind of thing that truely inspires a great knifemaker. Thanks Dave!

smiling-knife · Mar 3, 2008

Great catch Dave. Very nice old knives. I especially like the horn-handled jack knife. Thanks

knowtracks · Mar 3, 2008

Thanks for the comments all.
I was hopeing that maybe S-K would know any differences between the Sheep & Lambsfoot blades. And If you have heard of these makers?
I have some more to add later with what little history that I do know about them.

Thanks,
Dave

smiling-knife · Mar 3, 2008

knowtracks said:
Thanks for the comments all.
I was hopeing that maybe S-K would know any differences between the Sheep & Lambsfoot blades. And If you have heard of these makers?
I have some more to add later with what little history that I do know about them.

Thanks,
Dave

Here goes my understanding on the difference. The Sheepsfoot is usually wider top to bottom overall with the top and bottom edge relatively parallel and a rather abrupt curve at the end as you mentioned. Lambs foot narrower overall, the distance between top and bottom edges narrowing from tang end to point and the curve at the end a little more gradual. Still much debate to be had though as it is not always obvious. Will try to look for information on the maker when I get home this evning. I am working

at the moment.

KnifeHead · Mar 3, 2008

SK, Nice description there about the difference in blade styles. Here's something that might help too, but you might want to overlook that it is an old post on another forum. Look about a 3rd of the way down the page.

http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/702611/

knowtracks · Mar 3, 2008

Thanks for the link Knifehead, Dirk has some good examples there.
That was what I thought too, just the amount of taper on the top of blade.

Dave

waynorth · Mar 3, 2008

Nice knives Dave! Great oldies but goodies!

knowtracks · Mar 6, 2008

These next 5 knives are Vulcan stamped, like the Ford & Medley knives these have full unsharpened blades & really stout springs. All have horn scales.
All of these knives came from Dr. John E. Wilkison, Springfield, Tennessee collection. Dr. Wilikison was known more for his famous coin collection but apparently he also like old English knives. I am assuming that these & the F & M knives were made about the turn of the century. If anyone can give me any specifics on either of the makers I would appreciate it.

Tang stamp- Vulcan,T. Ellin & Co., Sheffield

Dave

smiling-knife · Mar 6, 2008

Very nice knives in great condition Dave. The company was based in the Sylvester works on Arundel st from the 1840s until 1933. It is reported to be one of the first in Sheffield to use steam power for its machinery including saws for cutting handle material. Joseph Elliot took over the factory in 1934. Vulcan was a mythical creature that harnessed fire and worked the forge for the good of mankind. They also used the Cutter (sail boat), lacrosse, and maple leaf trademarks. Many of their goods were sold in Canada. The font on your knives looks fairly modern in my opinion, thus 1920s or 30s perhaps. I hope this is of interest.

Here is an ivory pen knife by the same maker.

KnifeHead · Mar 6, 2008

WooooooooOOOooooo. That ivory pen knife is as minty fresh as an Irish spring!

knowtracks · Mar 6, 2008

Yes, Very interesting S-K.
And Thank You for your opinion on the age.

Dave

waynorth · Mar 6, 2008

Dave those Vulcans are nice regardless of age! Beauties all!
Nice pen s-k. I've never seen a Vulcan before, and here's a whole crowd!!

knowtracks · Mar 9, 2008

This is the last knife I have that came from Dr. Wilkison's collection.
She's a 3 5/8 Johnson knife with fancy flat bolsters.
The pile side tang stamp reads, OIL THE JOINTS

Dave