- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Messages
- 69,965
Table Mountain
I cant quite compare the clearing of my kitchen table to the trials of Sisyphus or the labours of Hercules, but I do seem to get more behind with my knife-cleaning chores than I used to! With a few hours on my hands this afternoon, I decided to try and catch up, but the first items at the top of the mountain certainly didnt require any cleaning.
Shortly after writing up my last table-top clean-up, I received a PM from one of our friends here, complimenting me on the post, and offering to put something on my table. Despite the miserable efforts of UK Customs and the British Post Office, a package arrived with me yesterday, and along with a nice letter were three exquisite pieces, which quite took my breath away. Yet again, I can only apologise for the fact that my poor photographs do not do them justice
I hope that youll agree that this old Boker is simply stunning, just a beautifully-made knife from a time when cutlers were true craftsmen.
Likewise, this Keen Kutter small Serpentine Jack (or Peanut
), with MOP covers, is a lovely old knife. The background is some British first day covers I picked up in the market today, I dont collect stamps, but thought them quite nice. Hope the Red Coat doesnt cause offence folks, I didnt notice that one until I was cropping the pics! 
I also received this weighty old Wade & Butcher straight razor with a baleen handle, a real piece of history.
Im not sure if my generous benefactor wishes to be named or not, so for now, having thanked him privately, Ill say no more. Other than that I think he has great taste, and I am very grateful for these really special pieces. Thank you for putting something on my table sir
Now, what about this other stuff, nothing of the same stunning quality Im afraid, but a few nice bits and pieces. My arthritis has been painful this week, and I had to pack in my labours after a couple of hours, but I did reduce the pile a little
I picked up this John Ryalls & Sons ivory Sleeveboard just the other day. Its an old knife, but in nice shape I think, and so well put together that it formed a little oil bath when I was cleaning it! Thats an old ivory page-turner in the background, I picked that up the other day too
This William Rodgers Sleeveboard is quite large, and appears never to have been used. It doesnt have the build quality of the earlier Ryalls though, with a gap you could drive a Centurion Tank through!
The big English Jack is another old knife. It must have been a beauty at one time, but it seems to have spent decades stirring paint and digging gardens, judging from the state it was in when I got it. Also, as you see, the back-lock is broken. Bearing in mind the wear to the blade, I doubt its worth fixing, but it was inexpensive, and I didnt want to leave it behind
The tang-stamp is hard to read I think, looks like it says 'Markham' to me, but I really dont know. Informed guesses would be very welcome :thumbup:
This is a good solid working knife, and the blades are in good shape (if completely blunt). Almost impossible to read the tang stamp, but possibly a Taylors (TEW) knife. Cobblers hammer head by George Barnsley & Sons.
I picked up a similar Max Weyde Penknife the other week, and then came across another just a few days later. Nicely-made wee knives :thumbup:
Also in my haul are these two map-measurers, one of which also has a compass, a stag-handled G.B.Wilson (Pitlochry) cheese knife, and a Sheffield-made MOP-handled fruit knife.
One day I may yet clear my kitchen table! :thumbup:
Jack
A few more at Post 30
I cant quite compare the clearing of my kitchen table to the trials of Sisyphus or the labours of Hercules, but I do seem to get more behind with my knife-cleaning chores than I used to! With a few hours on my hands this afternoon, I decided to try and catch up, but the first items at the top of the mountain certainly didnt require any cleaning.
Shortly after writing up my last table-top clean-up, I received a PM from one of our friends here, complimenting me on the post, and offering to put something on my table. Despite the miserable efforts of UK Customs and the British Post Office, a package arrived with me yesterday, and along with a nice letter were three exquisite pieces, which quite took my breath away. Yet again, I can only apologise for the fact that my poor photographs do not do them justice
I hope that youll agree that this old Boker is simply stunning, just a beautifully-made knife from a time when cutlers were true craftsmen.
Likewise, this Keen Kutter small Serpentine Jack (or Peanut
), with MOP covers, is a lovely old knife. The background is some British first day covers I picked up in the market today, I dont collect stamps, but thought them quite nice. Hope the Red Coat doesnt cause offence folks, I didnt notice that one until I was cropping the pics! 
I also received this weighty old Wade & Butcher straight razor with a baleen handle, a real piece of history.
Im not sure if my generous benefactor wishes to be named or not, so for now, having thanked him privately, Ill say no more. Other than that I think he has great taste, and I am very grateful for these really special pieces. Thank you for putting something on my table sir
Now, what about this other stuff, nothing of the same stunning quality Im afraid, but a few nice bits and pieces. My arthritis has been painful this week, and I had to pack in my labours after a couple of hours, but I did reduce the pile a little
I picked up this John Ryalls & Sons ivory Sleeveboard just the other day. Its an old knife, but in nice shape I think, and so well put together that it formed a little oil bath when I was cleaning it!
Thats an old ivory page-turner in the background, I picked that up the other day too 
This William Rodgers Sleeveboard is quite large, and appears never to have been used. It doesnt have the build quality of the earlier Ryalls though, with a gap you could drive a Centurion Tank through!
The big English Jack is another old knife. It must have been a beauty at one time, but it seems to have spent decades stirring paint and digging gardens, judging from the state it was in when I got it. Also, as you see, the back-lock is broken. Bearing in mind the wear to the blade, I doubt its worth fixing, but it was inexpensive, and I didnt want to leave it behind
The tang-stamp is hard to read I think, looks like it says 'Markham' to me, but I really dont know. Informed guesses would be very welcome :thumbup:
This is a good solid working knife, and the blades are in good shape (if completely blunt). Almost impossible to read the tang stamp, but possibly a Taylors (TEW) knife. Cobblers hammer head by George Barnsley & Sons.
I picked up a similar Max Weyde Penknife the other week, and then came across another just a few days later. Nicely-made wee knives :thumbup:
Also in my haul are these two map-measurers, one of which also has a compass, a stag-handled G.B.Wilson (Pitlochry) cheese knife, and a Sheffield-made MOP-handled fruit knife.
One day I may yet clear my kitchen table!
:thumbup:Jack
A few more at Post 30
Last edited:
or even Counterfeit Lamb Foot Blades.
