Search Eisenhower and see what you get.
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Tell Me About The Senator Pattern?
- Thread starter jamesbeat
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All results for "Eisenhower" are from Case, the elongated skinny pattern they sell, like the orange one I posted above.
Search for "equal" and you'll find a nice-looking equal-end whittler from Col Coon. Some people might consider it disqualified from being a Senator due to the three blades and two springs, but the overall profile very is senator-like.
dalee100 just posted a beautiful example.
Here are some un-senator variations:
Make one end larger than the other, and you get a sleaveboard:
Shrink them and add a bail and you get a watch fob knife:
Add a corkscrew and you get a waiters knife (just try and find a new one of these!
):
Here's a group shot of Bruckmann knives. I see only one "senator" in this bunch:
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ShadleySenator by sc-sld, on Flickr
This is a Shadley Senator I picked up at Plaza Cutlery a couple years ago. Flawless with two blades on the same spring. My Dad had a yellow Case Senator. Then he graduated to a Buck, something like a companion. I always loved his, and when I picked up this one I could not put it down. This is my first custom slipjoint.
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WOW.. I never knew of a specific Senator pattern. I would have (mistakenly) called any equal ended small pen an Eisenhower. Hey, it's written on the blade right? I don't know where I read it (promotional print from Case?) but this pattern may have gotten it's name from the notion that Eisenhower would give these little pen knives as gifts to dignitaries. Either way, there is quite a bit of history behind a truly great pattern. My only example:
Yes, that seems to be true -- Eisenhower was a bit of a knife guy apparently and really liked this pattern - especially with the blood red bone of the Case XX era. The pattern itself was made by one or the other Case companies well before 1920. However this pattern naturally goes way, way back in Sheffield. Here's one of mine - an ivory Eye Witness Sheffield pen - 3 3/16" long closed. The scales are relatively thick and well hafted, such that it's basically round. Feels great in the hand. Circa 1860-1870.
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It's true that Eisenhower did give away Case pocketknives on occasion, and it's fitting that Case has named one of their knife models in his honor. However, the known examples of Eisenhower-gifted knives are not the same pattern as the current "Eisenhower" knife.
The Eisenhower Case knife is pattern 6263, as shown here:
The knives that Eisenhower purchased and engraved for gifts were model 6333, shown here:
Pattern 6263 is an equal-end pen knife, but more elongated than a typical "senator" knife. Is this sometimes referred to as a "senator" knife? I don't know, nowadays it's mostly known as the "Eisenhower Knife."
Model 6333, the actual model used and given by Eisenhower, is obviously not a senator either; it's a mini-stockman.
The Eisenhower Case knife is pattern 6263, as shown here:
The knives that Eisenhower purchased and engraved for gifts were model 6333, shown here:
Pattern 6263 is an equal-end pen knife, but more elongated than a typical "senator" knife. Is this sometimes referred to as a "senator" knife? I don't know, nowadays it's mostly known as the "Eisenhower Knife."
Model 6333, the actual model used and given by Eisenhower, is obviously not a senator either; it's a mini-stockman.
A nice article about the Eisenhower pattern and its relationship to Ike: Ike's Knives by Gary Moore
Some lovely knives guys, I'm pleased that this thread has been so popular, I'm learning a lot.
One of the main things that I have learned is that 'senator' is too narrow a description of the type of knife I'm talking about.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have said 'small equal ended pen' instead of 'senator'.
That being said, I still think that the senator is my favorite small equal ended pen knife
I actually prefer the slimmer Case type, whether or not it actually counts as a true senator pattern, although I haven't seen a knife I don't like amongst the ones pictured in this thread.
I'm still astonished that nobody is making these things nowadays. The number of vintage examples I've seen (now I know what I'm googling) suggest that this type of pattern was ubiquitous in the 'olden days'.
One of the main things that I have learned is that 'senator' is too narrow a description of the type of knife I'm talking about.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have said 'small equal ended pen' instead of 'senator'.
That being said, I still think that the senator is my favorite small equal ended pen knife
I actually prefer the slimmer Case type, whether or not it actually counts as a true senator pattern, although I haven't seen a knife I don't like amongst the ones pictured in this thread.
I'm still astonished that nobody is making these things nowadays. The number of vintage examples I've seen (now I know what I'm googling) suggest that this type of pattern was ubiquitous in the 'olden days'.
I have been collecting vintage Senators (2, 3, and 4 blade). It's a excellent pattern and was made as a high-end knife app. 100 yrs ago. I've got some truly superb Senators. I'll post pics when i get back home in 3 days time. (I've been wanting to show them off, eh).
roland
roland
I posted a 4 blade carved pearl Huser Senator in the BRL forum. 2nd knife shown. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/807944-Grooved-Pearl-Scales-amp-Grooved-Bolsters
App. 100 years old. Marvellous, isn't it.
roland
App. 100 years old. Marvellous, isn't it.
roland
I was playing with the light tent this evening for another topic, and thought I'd try to capture a couple of senator knifes for the Traditional section.
This is by Needham of Sheffield:
And here's a Bruckmann, about the only one in my collection without a corkscrew.
Wish I had more to share.
This is by Needham of Sheffield:
And here's a Bruckmann, about the only one in my collection without a corkscrew.
Wish I had more to share.
I found this Queen in stock at a reputable knife dealer.
Very similar to this one, Queen also makes or made a #6 and #5 pen knives. They're equal end knives similar to a Case Senator pattern, but smaller. I'll try to update with pics soon.
And how!