The " Roosters " are crowing for the " Farmers"

[wlfryjr]

This is my first Rooster Knife - to say I am pleased would be an understatement. Having this classic old design in my hand fires my imagination up - it's like buying a knife in my Granddad Baker's small town hardware store in the late 1940's - really nice Lyle, really, really nice! OH

OH wonderful photos. They are still an enigma to me. Such a beautiful design for such a hard working budding and pruning knife.

Hi Lyle, yours sure is prettier than my old beater But still, It's one of my favourite knives. Very much looking forward to getting a package from Charlie with one of yours and one of his in the amber and yellow bone. I'm going to use both of them. I'm so glad you and Charlie got together on this project.

Best regards

Robin

Robin, thanks for your contributions here and I hope you enjoy using these knives. I've enjoyed this process immensely.I'm blessed.

 

[draggat]

There can never be too many pictures!

 

[Old Hunter]

Great pictures (and great knives) Steve! I tried using some rusty reinforcement wire as a background to bring out the yellow in the jigged bone - I think it worked. OH

 

[coolio]

Wow, just wow. It has taken all the restraint I can muster to keep from trying to obtain this knife (no funds:grumpy. One of the most beautiful I've ever laid eyes on! I need to stop looking at this thread, but I can't look away. Just amazing Lyle, and what photos Steve!:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[rma100]

Lyle, Congratulations on your Beautiful run of Knives! You're off to a great, running start! I would like to know if you consider this run of the 38 Farmer's Jack to be a true "Rooster Comb" knife? From what I've seen of your collection, the Rooster Comb has a much higher blade spine than the Farmer's Jack.

 

[Pipeman]

I suppose I should explain a couple things now.

The common name for farmers jacks( as per Levine) around here are rooster combs (not per Levine ) . I prefer to call this next one a rooster comb and the standard a farmers jack for these reasons.

First it kinda differentiates and I like to think these are where the term originates (?) .

This ivory Saynor,Cook & Ridal budding and grafting knife has what is called a spud in ivory (natural materials were used as to eliminate contamination during the grafting procedure or so I'm told) opposite the blade. These spuds were used to spread the bark incision in the root branch's bark,while inserting the graft.One end to cut,one end to open.
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Being dull,as not to harm the inner bark,while inserting the graft.

A modification to the back or spine of a farmers jack's spey blade (remember large end hawkbill,small end spey) in about the '30s resulted in a semi-spud. Also included in the modification was a jimped (notches down a blade created to provide grip on a knife ) thumb rest on the tang and a flat sided blade ( to be discussed later).

The result was a blade whose back or spine resembled a roosters comb.

Example:
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A prominent roosters comb to be viewed later.That's my story, this is an example.

Cutsure Kruse and Bahlmann Hdwe Cincinnati c 1865-1962 4"(standard size for all farmers and roosters) . I think Camillus contract.
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The rooster comb

The jimped thumb rest below the kick or on the tang front.

Here.. chick,chick,chick......

Yes please, the Cutsure next. This is the cockadoodle doo of Rooster combs imo.

Best regards

Robin

 

[draggat]

Thanks OH & Brad. The thanks should really be going to Lyle for these!

I am also curious if Lyle considers these 38's to be true rooster combs. I really like the shapes of those blades! Maybe a future run?

 

[wlfryjr]

I have edited this post ,as to clarify for those who didn't follow Robin's repost of my earlier thoughts. Thanks so much for your help Robin.

Bob,what I call rooster combs,were developed c20s ?(after the original post I found a 1928 Michigan Hdwe. catalog cut for a Sword Brand Camillus "rooster comb" ).

As you said, they were mostly a more robust pruning blade(excepting the IXL English version shown,which retained the slimmer pruning blade), different from the slimmer, sometimes called peach pruner types . More importantly was the development of the modified spey ,having the semi-spud on the spline.

This modified spey's spline resembles a rooster comb. Whether the large pruner on these or the "rooster comb" spey brought about the name,I really don't know,but it's how I differentiate within the pattern .

The modified spey was called a bark loosener by Schrade. All I have also had the new flat blades as described here again, by Schrade and also Wostenholm's(IXL) version.

These slimmer ,peach pruners(as called in Holley's catalog,if I remember right) ,were the norm for most early knives from Sheffield.I have thought that with such a comely shape, that they may started as pruning knives made for English gentlemen.(?)

Thanks Steve and OH for putting yours where they belong.:thumbup:

 

[Markesharp]

I just received this one Monday and I must say it has exceeded my expectations on all fronts Lyle. It is a sleek and pocket able knife that is perfectly made. I concur with Paul Hilborn on the
main blade being a great working blade. This will also be my dedicated Morell Mushroom knife. Fine job on the execution and your personal note on the label put a smile on my face.

Not my best photo but here is my Lick Creek in Ebony

 

[paulhilborn]

Nice Mark:thumbup: Same knife as well but just a lil different covers

Great work knife:thumbup:

 

[Markesharp]

Nice Mark:thumbup: Same knife as well but just a lil different covers

Great work knife:thumbup:

I agree Brother! Man, that bone color is AWESOME!! :thumbup: What is it called?!

 

[paulhilborn]

I agree Brother! Man, that bone color is AWESOME!! :thumbup: What is it called?!

Thanks Mark---Brown Camel Bone:thumbup:

 

[singin50]

Beautiful covers, Mark and Paul!:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[paulhilborn]

Beautiful covers, Mark and Paul!:thumbup::thumbup:

Thank you Perry, I should enlist you to take the pictures for the knife to receive its just reward:thumbup:

 

[draggat]

Mark & Paul, those are both beautiful knives! If I hadn't spread myself so thin this month, I would have owned both..... I think it's still possible with that brown camel bone..... This is where it all starts.

 

[Todd Isa 53]

This is my first Rooster Knife - to say I am pleased would be an understatement. Having this classic old design in my hand fires my imagination up - it's like buying a knife in my Granddad Baker's small town hardware store in the late 1940's - really nice Lyle, really, really nice! OH

Every once in a while... I am reminded of my Noobness. I have very little knowledge of old or modern traditional knives. I was ignorant of all the hype on this model... still hesitant of how I would like it, so I did not get one. But this one is crazy beautiful and makes me really regret not picking it up. Maybe I will get my hands on one and test it out.
Great Blade.

 

[Gevonovich]

Great looking knives, Paul and Mark!!!

 

[singin50]

Paul, I would certainly be thrilled to do that for you!

 

[wlfryjr]

Steve and Bob please reread my earlier ,now edited post.

Mark and Paul,thanks for posting your knives here.

Mark,as I've said elsewhere,I like the way the ebony brings out the bar shield and all the shiny steel. The labeling Mark is most special.

 

[Markesharp]

Mark & Paul, those are both beautiful knives! If I hadn't spread myself so thin this month, I would have owned both..... I think it's still possible with that brown camel bone..... This is where it all starts.

Thanks Steve and you are right about "how it starts"

Mark and Paul,thanks for posting your knives here.

Mark,as I've said elsewhere,I like the way the ebony brings out the bar shield and all the shiny steel. The labeling Mark is most special.

Thank you Lyle.