Stranger Things (Traditionals only. No modern knives or demogorgons.)

[supratentorial]

The GEC "Calf Pen" sparked some discussion about unusual knives. There are some odd patterns from present day manufacturers. There are also a lot of old knives that don't quite match up with standard patterns. We would not have so many patterns if the old companies hadn't experimented.

I thought it would be fun to show some of those odd knives that don't quite match standard patterns. Please post photos of knives or scans from catalogs of those stranger things. Antique or New.

There were some very cool examples in BRL's forum here: http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/another-non-traditional-pattern.676912/

To start, I'll show this Wester Bros. Unusual construction. It's a split spring... with the split spring reversed from the normal orientation (the main blade doesn't straddle both springs). The blades have a configuration similar to a stockman... but the third blade is a canopener/caplifter and it straddles part of both springs... and it also has a catch bit.

 

[supratentorial]

A can opener is common on a scout pattern. But I've never seen this type of can opener on a scout knife.

c1924

 

[LastRodeo]

A can opener is common on a scout pattern. But I've never seen this type of can opener on a scout knife.

c1924

I'm thinking that is an artist's rendering of the knife, based solely on the manufacturers description.

 

[supratentorial]

I'm thinking that is an artist's rendering of the knife, based solely on the manufacturers description.

Haha!

Here's a somewhat uncommon variation of a radio knife. Electrician blade main on an otherwise typical scout pattern.

Easy open lockback barlow with fish scaler on the spine

More photos of the lockback barlow in the quote below. Click "expand" to open the quote.

It is 5" long, N/S bolsters, brass liners, amazing thick stag.

KnifeHead Images

Barlow with a shield-- looks so strange

This was actually a fairly common variation of a premium stock knife but it's uncommon today. Old catalogs called it a premium stock knife but it has a split backspring. Queen made a stock knife with the same construction for Winchester.

 

[LastRodeo]

Stockman with a caplifter....

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

I love this idea for a thread! Take me to the upside down.

 

[supratentorial]

Nice one! RR also makes a stockman with a long spey main blade. There were oldies but the RR is the only present day example that I've seen. It breaks the rule in Levine's Guide that a stockman always has a clip main blade.

 

[MerryMadMonk]

Nice thread, Jake

 

[Planterz]

Nice thread, Jake

That's only the second barlow/TL-29 I've seen. The other was generously gifted to me by @Old Hunter, as my mom's family is from that part of Kansas (Larned).

 

[Hickory n steel]

How about a cross between a scout and a SAK ?

This one may not be super unique, but I only know of colonial making such a knife.

Or this schrade middleman jack which is a stockman frame with only 2 blades.

 

[NJBillK]

The GEC "Calf Pen" sparked some discussion about unusual knives. There are some odd patterns from present day manufacturers. There are also a lot of old knives that don't quite match up with standard patterns. We would not have so many patterns if the old companies hadn't experimented.

I thought it would be fun to show some of those odd knives that don't quite match standard patterns. Please post photos of knives or scans from catalogs of those stranger things. Antique or New.

There were some very cool examples in BRL's forum here: http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/another-non-traditional-pattern.676912/

To start, I'll show this Wester Bros. Unusual construction. It's a split spring... with the split spring reversed from the normal orientation (the main blade doesn't straddle both springs). The blades have a configuration similar to a stockman... but the third blade is a canopener/caplifter and it straddles part of both springs... and it also has a catch bit.

Fantastic idea for a thread and what a way to start it out. A split back with a catch bit on a serrated can opener, quite a piece!

I am going to be watching this thread closely! Subscribed!

 

[Mike Robuck]

Cool thread and knives. I don't own either of these knives.
Carriage knife, stamped Beaver Cutlery, probably made by Robeson with a Robeson punch:

Another radio knife, by Robeson:

I think I have some pictures of stockman knives with punches.

 

[supratentorial]

Thank you, guys. Nice additions.

The Schrade middleman is a pretty standard serpentine jack pattern but the knife does have the Swinden Key construction that was unique in the industry.

 

[Jack Black]

Nice thread idea Jake, I reckon I will have one or two that will fit in here

 

[supratentorial]

Somewhat unusual, at least for the USA, is this 1920s Ka-Bar fishing knife. The design is more common in other countries. The ruler markings on the handle are something that was reimagined by Tim Leatherman.

Maher & Grosh didn't manufacture knives but they sold some very uncommon patterns. According to the description, this knife was their own design --an early example of an SFO?! The knife was made for them by Ulster and was a catalog item at least 30 years later. The ruler markings on the knife blade are uncommon.

c1890 Maher & Grosh

c1922 Ulster

This one was called "Maher's Latest Thought". I'm not sure who manufactured the knife for them. The saw and screwdriver are very uncommon for this handle.

c1890

 

[Rich S]

How about Rough Rider Electrian or Pet Groomer knives. A bit out of the ordinary.

Rich

 

[supratentorial]

How about Rough Rider Electrian or Pet Groomer knives. A bit out of the ordinary.

Rich

RR has remade some of the unusual old knives.

The electrician knife with the wrench is uncommon. I've seen some marked Klein and Utica. Here are three examples from Klein. The fourth one has a folding crate opener instead of a wrench.

Here's a post from the old knives topic showing the Spratts groomer. Click "expand" to show the full quote with the photos of the knife.

" Spratts was started in London by an American from Ohio in about 1860 and brought to the U.S. in about 1870. Their first business was dog biscuits, then eventually dog food and items for the care of dogs as well. They were the largest dog food company for many years and sold thousands of these dog grooming " knives " which were English made. The fit and finish was mediocre at best, but they were solidly built, strong snaps, well ground and cut blades, and entirely serviceable . Most still exist today and many are still in use. They are perfect for combing or cutting out burrs and knots from a dog's coat. The Remington dog groomer I showed you previously is a much nicer knife and slightly larger, but these are still just as effective today as when they were built in the 1920's and 1930's. The Spratts company was sold to General Mills in the 1950's. The knife is 3 1/2" closed, has some pits and stains, but functions like new. Shown along with the Remington Groomer for scale. "

 

[supratentorial]

Cam-lok

Antique Stanley screwdriver with slipjoint knife blade.

 

[Mike Robuck]

That Cam-lok is wild, and it's a "Sword" model as well.

Ear spoon, toothpick, dull blade, what's not to love? Made in Czech.

 

[black mamba]

This Frank Buster Fight'n Rooster is not only one of my nicer knives, but the most unusual as well.

The frame could be called a gunstock, but is has round bolsters. It could be called a swell center, dogleg or Eureka jack, but it doesn't quite fit those patterns either. With nothing concrete to go on, I've decided to call it a dogleg gunstock pattern, but by any name it is a VERY beautiful, well made and useful pocket knife.