The shield

[JAB]

Great thread!:thumbup: While I agree that some knives/handle materials work better without a shield, I'm of the opinion that the right shield absolutely makes the knife.

 

[waynorth]

I think it is fair to call the first one here a propeller shield. The last three are custom made - one of a kind.

I like the decoration of a shield. They give a dramatic contrast, and also, they tell you which is the mark side in a hurry, so you can orient the knife quickly to find the main pull.
Not having a shield is like wearing pants without a belt - they may stay up, but they don't look finished.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

I agree with Waynotth, something is missing in slipjoint without a shield. Some of them are unique to a maker or line of knives such as in Canal Street round shield or the Premier knives of S/M.

S/M

C/S

Round-Chicago Cutlery

Federal(?) - Cutt. Cutlery

Two Customs

The triangle was made by me, the second by a friend knife maker.

Mike

 

[thawk]

Not having a shield is like wearing pants without a belt - they may stay up, but they don't look finished.

I agree 100%. I love the shield on most knives. I have passed up a lot of Ulster, Wards, Imperial and Kutmaster knives with nice Rogers bone, simply because they are missing a shield. An equal end pattern, like the utility or cattle knife, looks especially naked minus a shield. Same for a 4" stockman. For me an exception to this is a nice gnarly stag slab, particularly on a lock back knife.

A few examples

One particular shield I don't care for at all is the brass coin shield Canal Street uses on every knife, clashing with nickel silver bolsters. Here is a similar one, a nice black handled 8OT with a brass oval shield. Would look a lot better if it matched.

 

[ndeezl]

Here's one with an inlayed shield of micarta which is what drew my attention to it; I've seen a few like this that Rick has made. I'm not sure of the shield "type" on this one, looks almost like a modified gimp...

Nathan

 

[Gevonovich]

This shield distinctly identifies the brand

 

[quattromori]

The shield on the S&M slim trapper is a keystone shield. Pennsylvania is known as the keystone state, the home state of the Queen factory.

This shield distinctly identifies the brand

This remains, to me, the most interesting side of shields...still, I'm glad that this thread unleashed some "show-off" game here...

Fausto

 

[waynorth]

Hal, you've really gone over to the "antique" side! What a sweet collection of older knives - all the better for their distinctive shields!
I can tell what they are and appreciate them from 3000 miles away!

 

[John L]

Ndeezl: Ricks' shield is called a crown.

John Lloyd

 

[Stelth]

I love shields. I think a knife is lacking when one isn't present.
I like this one:

thawk: I agree about the Canal Street shield; it's very generic and bland.

 

[thawk]

This is one of the only unusual ones I have and was amazed when I found it. Duncan...you have some beautiful knives!!

Man, that is some pretty bone there too. Is that Keen Kutter a slim stockman? Their Keen Kutter shield is a nice touch.

 

[waynorth]

Empire used this flared banner shield for a number of years before and after 1900 as far as I can tell. Schrade used it many years later, and paid tribute by calling it an "Empire" shield!



This is an old Empire shield also. I've never seen it on another brand. My name for it is a "double bump" shield.

 

[2Dead]

Not sure if of the name of this one... Just Un-X-Ld

Cloud shield

Hotdog, Gimp and Beaver

The name of this one escapes me for the moment.

Variations on the Federal shield

A long oval

Some more bullets.

 

[Humppa]

Here I have my Ankermesser. It seems to be that this is the only pattern which carries the anchor as a shield

Here is my Böker 25th Anniversary Trapper, which has " Böker Solingen" shield at the handle

Kind regards
Andi

 

[waynorth]

Nice ones Andi!
I have an Ankermesser also. I bought it because of that great shield!

 

[Gevonovich]

Man, that is some pretty bone there too. Is that Keen Kutter a slim stockman? Their Keen Kutter shield is a nice touch.

Thanks you Hal !! I believe it is a slim stockman. It has the number 784 stamped on the back of the main blade. The front scale is broken so it was in a box of 3 for $12 but its a treasure to me. I covet so many of your knives and really appreciate you sharing them.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Wow, some neat knives coming out of the woodwork now!, Hals and Charlies never fail to take my breath away with those lovely knives, and then Trand comes in...always eye candy Galore!
Cool Shield Andi....agreed that that is a sweet looking knife first glance! - because of that shield

 

[Gevonovich]

Early Case Shield on Slimline Trapper

 

[lambertiana]

A few oldies with different shields

Variations on the propeller l to r: Ulster, Maher & Grosh, Empire, Southington, Maher & Grosh

 

[Campbellclanman]

Damn, lambertiana.... stunning, just stunning knives...just look at that ebony+shield combo, Shields certainly do it for me on these lovely old knives.