Swayback history?

[jackknife]

With all this talk of swaybacks, and me being a new member of the cult, I was wondering just what is the history of this pattern?

I know I have seen examples of this in some of the old re-prints of Sheffield catalogues, but is it a English pattern in origin, or this side of the pond?

Carl.

 

[Tony Bose]

It's an early Sheffield pattern, goes way back. I don't know where it originated.

 

[kamagong]

Does anyone have a swayback from way back?



- Christian

 

[Rick]

I've posted this little "Ulster Knife Co., N.Y." swayback before, but since the older ones are relatively scarce...

 

[jivedaddy]

Here's an old Cattaragus swayback:

 

[VCM3]

It's an early Sheffield pattern, goes way back. I don't know where it originated.

Pretty sure the English took off a Roman pattern
-Vince

 

[pipedreams308]

Isn't it a loom worker's pattern?

 

[Tony Bose]

It was called a loom fixer waaaay after its origins. This pattern was around before old man Case was a trinkle in his daddys eye.

 

[waynorth]

For further illustration, here's a Case Loomfixer from the late 1960s.

 

[texasflyfisher]

Rick, every time I see that old Ulster, it brings a big smile to my face. It is a gorgeous old knife!

 

[comoha]

Does anyone have a swayback from way back?



- Christian

I've posted this one before. It's stamped "Pavian Cutlery, St. Paul Minn" and Levine's dates the brand from 1906-1920.

 

[wintermute]

I don't know anything about the pattern's history, but I'm definitely enjoying the photos. Thanks guys!

 

[black mamba]

Rick, the jigging on that Ulster, particularly the pile side, is just mesmerizing. Some of the finest I've ever seen.

 

[waynorth]

The Pavian looks like it was made by Ulster. Both nice looking knives!

 

[Will Power]

Here's an old Cattaragus swayback:

That bone is the REAL thing:thumbup:

A Hot Catt there alright.

 

[Rick]

The Pavian looks like it was made by Ulster. Both nice looking knives!

I was thinking the same thing. Aside from the pronounced rattail bolster on mine, they're practically identical.



Jivedaddy: that Cattaragus is eff'ing fabulous. :thumbup:

 

[waynorth]

I was thinking the same thing. Aside from the pronounced rattail bolster on mine, they're practically identical.



Jivedaddy: that Cattaragus is eff'ing fabulous. :thumbup:

What Rick said! And same for your knife, Rick!

 

[jackknife]

Why is it that the bone on those really old ones blow away the new stuff?

I love my SB, but that Ulster is just the stuff dreams are made of.

Carl.

 

[Dr Bill]

That is some awesome bone right there!!
I think part of the reason is the random pattern of the jigging. Some of the modern bone is too uniform. There is perfection in the imperfection.

Or, as we used to say in plastic surgery - the enemy of good is better!