The Unassuming Penknife

This knife might be 100 years old, one of my most favorite Pen knives. The master blade is from thick stock so even though it looks all dressed up, it is also a strong knife.





kj
 
Great example! Tip bolsters, sunk-joints and sabre grind, most unusual.

Inletting that shield in MOP must've taken nerve and skill, nightmare:eek:

Thanks, Will
 
Thank you Will. Yes the German, British & American cutlers of past times were masters of their trade. It would today take a top custom knifemaker to reproduce this knife.
The shadows in the pearl create amazing images too.
kj
 
This has really been a great post, Pete!:thumb up:

You hit the nail square on the head by not going out of your way to find test stuff, but just living life and letting the little cutting jobs come up. That's what makes it so real wordlist. Something my dad once told me comes to mind; that a pocket knife is carried a lot, but used a little.

The "old guys with a pen knife" syndrome is so typical of the men back then who were n to knife nuts, but knew that they needed a cutting tool in their day to day life, for those little jobs that just pop up. They wanted something small that they could actually forget about during those times that it was not needed, but it was there for opening that package or cutting a piece of twine, or whatever.

I don't have a lie style where I'm skinning buffalo everyday, or doing lumber operations, but in my 21st century suburban lifestyle I find I really don't need much more blade than the old guys with the pen knives carried. Although I will admit I approach those dangerous FEDEX boxes with caution. :D

And thanks for the info on the real Eisenhower 'pen knife.' I'm still fascinated that he preferred a small stockman. But then, a small light pocket knife with three blades has a heck of lot going of fit. I carried a stockman too many years to deny that it's a very useful pattern, and when I did finally downsize from my Buck 301, it was to a Buck 3303 smaller cadet. I may have to try one of those small Case stockmen yet!
 
Here is a lousy picture of my humble bunch of Pen knives. Please overlook my very basic photography skills.
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Because of this very enjoyable thread I will be carrying one of these in the morning when I head out for work. It and the Classic on my keyring will be it. No larger slippie or modern folder. I know, I am a wild and reckless fellow. ;)

Jim
 
My favorite is the old Robeson from around WWI: the tip bolsters are just so elegant, and it cuts like a demon.

Robeson ShurEdge Rochester
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This old Boker was a gift from Will Power, and is another beautiful old pen with its domed pins and long pull.

Boker USA
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I'm the heretic. The only pocket knife I own was a present from my sons. A new Buck Solo. That's all I have. Or need.
 
I've wanted a GEC 66 slim for a while. The idea of a single spring 3.5"ish penknife style equal ends serpentine frame was appealing to me. but I'm not a big fan of the Cali/Turkish clip.

I know they did it for slimming reasons. But I think the standard clip or even spear would be fine. And if they replaced the pen secondary with a sheeps foot....I think they would have a winner.

Thrugh the 2015 tradition knife process. I'm really interested in finding the same knife on a smaller frame.

Jim
 
Jacknife you might take a look at the small Case Pen 6233 same frame as the small Stockman but in pen configuration
 
I'm curious do the current 08263 Eisenhower patterns have a single back spring? Yea; I cut those stupid child safeties off all my cans we're all stuck with now!
 
I love pen knives the best! The two Queen-made knives on the left are favorites and I carry them a lot, on the right are two great old Kutmasters.

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Here's some contemporary examples. But, are they unassuming? :eek::D

Queen No.3 in Buffalo Horn and GEC Conductor in faux Tortoise. If Queen could re-tweak this Sleeveboard to have a much bigger and credible master blade they would unleash a killer:D Note the size difference from the Conductor.

Thanks, Will.

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Rick here's another picture for you, I put a few rounds through it today, with a great Boker USA 1428 1945-50 sent to me by Markesharp





Peter Parker, yes the Eisenhowers are single spring



Pete
 
CASE do a nice Wharncliffe Mini Copperhead. This one in Root Beer Bone, the handle slabs are satisfyingly thick.

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Missed a few, but I do have quite a lot of penknives. Apologies (as usual) for the poor quality pics. With only a couple of exceptions, I'd say they've all been users, and some of them have been used pretty hard :thumbup:

























 
Wow Jack Black, I've never seen rule handled knives before! These would come in handy at my job so I just purchased one online (vintage American-made and not as aesthetically pleasing as your examples). Thanks!

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lucydog said:
Wow Jack Black, I've never seen rule handled knives before! These would come in handy at my job so I just purchased one online (vintage American-made and not as aesthetically pleasing as your examples). Thanks!
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Thanks lucydog, they were all made in Sheffield, each by a different cutler, but 3 of the 4 rulers bear the name of Chesterman, where both my grandmother and great grandmother worked during the early part of the 20th century (and an uncle in the 1960's). I'd love to see yours. I recently picked up a new Marbles example, and I have to say, it was quite nicely made :thumbup:
 
Jack Black said:
Thanks lucydog, they were all made in Sheffield, each by a different cutler, but 3 of the 4 rulers bear the name of Chesterman, where both my grandmother and great grandmother worked during the early part of the 20th century (and an uncle in the 1960's). I'd love to see yours. I recently picked up a new Marbles example, and I have to say, it was quite nicely made :thumbup:
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How special to have that connection to your family through the knives, I will certainly post a pic when mine arrives. I looked at the Marble's as well and may purchase one down the line as the one I bought doesn't have the expandable ruler.
 
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