The Clasp Knife

[qncygnnr]

Picked up a "big honk'n" folder at a local pawn shop today... $10! A used RR Clasp knife. ... F&F is very good, bone color and jigging are very pleasing. Took a decent edge. This is an exceptionally large folder. What's the history on this pattern?




Scott D

 

[LEOGREG]

[/IMG]. "The earliest known pocket knives date to at least the early Iron Age. A pocket knife with bone handle was found at Hallstatt, dating to around 600-500 BC.[5] Iberian folding-blade knives made by indigenous artisans and craftsmen and dating to the pre-Roman era have been found in Spain.[6] Wikipedia."

Modern incarnations like the RR appear to be based on the Spanish Navaja. Others may wish to add to this tiny fragment of information.

[/IMG]. RR does indeed make a nice one at a ridiculously low price.

 

[puukkoman]

I know Jack has a different view on the term Clasp Knife, but these are what I see in my mind's eye when I hear the term. The big, single blade folding knife, usually with a skinner-type blade and the curved, pointed handle.
I don't have any, but I frequently moon over the older Case Clasps with stag handles.

 

[LEOGREG]

That vintage Case is beautiful, but they don't make them anymore and on the secondary market $400? Instead of "mooning" you might be pleasantly surprised by this one for $20. Since I'm not partial to acres of shiny stainless I wiped the blade with Ferrric Chloride for a gunmetal sheen but, if you like shiny they come with a mirror polish. ;-)

[/IMG]

 

[puukkoman]

That one does look decent, especially considering RR's reputation and price. The "fancy" bolsters & caps are not so much my cup 'o tea, but overall it's not bad. I wish Queen would produce one in D2 and ACSB. THAT, I would buy.

 

[whetrock]

Very impressive knife. RR puts out nice stuff. I'll keep my eye on that model. The bolsters are a little ornate, but that's okay. I'd too enjoy owning that pattern in a USA made knife as well.

 

[Jenner 515]

I wish Queen would produce one in D2 and ACSB. THAT, I would buy.

Every year I float the idea of a Clasp Knife as a Forum Knife...too early?

 

[puukkoman]

That'd be cool, but as an SFO it would likely be prohibitively expensive for many people.

 

[Jenner 515]

That'd be cool, but as an SFO it would likely be prohibitively expensive for many people.

Yeah you're probably right. That would be a big chunk of change. Nice to dream about till I can make a pawn shop find...

 

[festerfromnzed]

This must be a clasp knife???............FES

 

[SAK Guy]

Looks like a Velociraptor talon!!!!!!!

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Hahaha... Even Crocodile Dundee would consider that "a knife"...

 

[FarmKid]

A clasp was one of the first ever knives produced by case way back when they was selling them out of the back of wagons.