btb01
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2008
- Messages
- 7,697
A few months ago, with our trip to England coming up, I reached out to
Jack Black
to let him know that we would be visiting the country. At the time, we didn't have concrete plans for our visit, and I was hopeful that we might end up somewhere near his neck of the woods, and that we could meet in person and maybe enjoy a pint together.
Unfortunately, that plan didn't work out, but Jack and I continued to talk about my trip; he made some suggestions for things to do and see, and gave me some advice on knife laws and what to carry while in England.
As our trip got closer, Jack asked if he could send me a some Sheffield cutlery while I was here. I told him that he certainly didn't have to, but any of you who know Jack know that, well… of course he sent me some a package containing some Sheffield cutlery, and plenty of other cool stuff as well.
So without further ado, here is the package that Jack sent down to Bath for me.
Featured prominently in the center of the photo is a box containing a beautiful set of Sheffield-made tables knives and forks. These are marked "Pinder Bros Ltd, Sheffield." Just yesterday, in an antique shop in Salisbury, I was admiring several sets of similar old table knives from Sheffield, one of which actually prompted me to take a photo; based on the maker's mark, I thought maybe Jack had opened his own Sheffield cutlery company and not told any of us about it!
To the right in the photo, you'll see that Jack sent me some Sheffield-related brochures and postcards, as well as a Sheffield keychain, a sticker featuring the White Rose of Yorkshire, and a great old bottle opener (something I enjoy collecting). Jack also thoughtfully included some great items for my daughter, Eleanor: a clip light, a leather bookmark with a interesting bead that looks like a pig, and (on the lefthand side of the photo) a set of magnets and a wind-up robot toy.
Just beneath the table cutlery set, you can see a few coins Jack included: two old pennies (1938 and 1916) and a one shilling coin from 1947. I found the latter particulary interesting; while I have handled a good amount of "new" British coinage over the last several days, I've never seen any of the "old" money.
Last but certainly not least are the knives Jack included in the package… five of them! On the left, there are two knives made by Richards of Sheffield. The orange-handled knife has a single spear point blade, and though it's clearly an old knife, it doesn't seem like it has seen much use and has just about all of the life left in the blade. The second Richards knife is a very nice all-metal pipe smoker's knife featuring a round-tipped blade for reaming, a poker, and a tamper built into one end of the knife. Next is a Pallès Navaja with wooden handles -- I love the shape of the handle and blade on these. After that we have an A. Wright Ettrick with rosewood handles; and finally, a beefy hawksbill folder with black handles (some sort of synthetic?) stamped "Bretton, Sheffield, England."
Jack, I can't thank you enough for this wonderful welcome package!
Jack Black
to let him know that we would be visiting the country. At the time, we didn't have concrete plans for our visit, and I was hopeful that we might end up somewhere near his neck of the woods, and that we could meet in person and maybe enjoy a pint together.Unfortunately, that plan didn't work out, but Jack and I continued to talk about my trip; he made some suggestions for things to do and see, and gave me some advice on knife laws and what to carry while in England.
As our trip got closer, Jack asked if he could send me a some Sheffield cutlery while I was here. I told him that he certainly didn't have to, but any of you who know Jack know that, well… of course he sent me some a package containing some Sheffield cutlery, and plenty of other cool stuff as well.
So without further ado, here is the package that Jack sent down to Bath for me.
Featured prominently in the center of the photo is a box containing a beautiful set of Sheffield-made tables knives and forks. These are marked "Pinder Bros Ltd, Sheffield." Just yesterday, in an antique shop in Salisbury, I was admiring several sets of similar old table knives from Sheffield, one of which actually prompted me to take a photo; based on the maker's mark, I thought maybe Jack had opened his own Sheffield cutlery company and not told any of us about it!
To the right in the photo, you'll see that Jack sent me some Sheffield-related brochures and postcards, as well as a Sheffield keychain, a sticker featuring the White Rose of Yorkshire, and a great old bottle opener (something I enjoy collecting). Jack also thoughtfully included some great items for my daughter, Eleanor: a clip light, a leather bookmark with a interesting bead that looks like a pig, and (on the lefthand side of the photo) a set of magnets and a wind-up robot toy.
Just beneath the table cutlery set, you can see a few coins Jack included: two old pennies (1938 and 1916) and a one shilling coin from 1947. I found the latter particulary interesting; while I have handled a good amount of "new" British coinage over the last several days, I've never seen any of the "old" money.
Last but certainly not least are the knives Jack included in the package… five of them! On the left, there are two knives made by Richards of Sheffield. The orange-handled knife has a single spear point blade, and though it's clearly an old knife, it doesn't seem like it has seen much use and has just about all of the life left in the blade. The second Richards knife is a very nice all-metal pipe smoker's knife featuring a round-tipped blade for reaming, a poker, and a tamper built into one end of the knife. Next is a Pallès Navaja with wooden handles -- I love the shape of the handle and blade on these. After that we have an A. Wright Ettrick with rosewood handles; and finally, a beefy hawksbill folder with black handles (some sort of synthetic?) stamped "Bretton, Sheffield, England."
Jack, I can't thank you enough for this wonderful welcome package!
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Sorry, I kind of threw it together 
I got three of those Richards knives from the same guy, and they're as old as I am, but unused. A shame he didn't have the old display card 
