Ulster Factory Collection

waynorth said:
I often wonder what people think when I show off these great knives.
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I think "thank you." I'm no collector. I don't have the gene and feel you can't fully enjoy a knife unless you use it. However, I have the utmost respect for those that spend the time, money, and effort learning about these historical pieces. It takes dedication to do so, and a generous spirit to share what is so hard-earned. Without folks like you Charlie I would never have learned the little I do know (I'm a poor student...lol).

It's strange really. Being a user of a knife I don't pay too much attention to the minutae of tang stamps, factory ownership, or the like. But I enjoy looking at old knives in their full, minty glory. And I realize that collectors are the custodians of knowledge in our hobby, our historians. They're the ones that know the little details, the ones with the passion for the craft. Without them companies would never be pushed out of their easy chairs to try old patterns like harness jacks or build a basic pattern like the barlow to "best" levels. The guy who just wants a user wouldn't bother, he's satisfied with a sodbuster from Lowe's.

Thanks Charlie.

- Christian
 
Gevonovich said:
Sublime! What treasure and such a treat for you to share them with us, Charlie!!

The pristine condition gives us a window into time. I surmise,and correct me if I am wrong, that he harness jack is older than the barlows? The harness jack seems to have hammered pins and the barlows spun.
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Thanks for the nice words! And I agree with your assessment, Gev! That's what they look like to me too!

kamagong said:
I think "thank you." I'm no collector. I don't have the gene and feel you can't fully enjoy a knife unless you use it. However, I have the utmost respect for those that spend the time, money, and effort learning about these historical pieces. It takes dedication to do so, and a generous spirit to share what is so hard-earned. Without folks like you Charlie I would never have learned the little I do know (I'm a poor student...lol).

It's strange really. Being a user of a knife I don't pay too much attention to the minutae of tang stamps, factory ownership, or the like. But I enjoy looking at old knives in their full, minty glory. And I realize that collectors are the custodians of knowledge in our hobby, our historians. They're the ones that know the little details, the ones with the passion for the craft. Without them companies would never be pushed out of their easy chairs to try old patterns like harness jacks or build a basic pattern like the barlow to "best" levels. The guy who just wants a user wouldn't bother, he's satisfied with a sodbuster from Lowe's.

Thanks Charlie.

- Christian
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You are welcome, Christian! And well put!!
 
Wow, what a score! The Ulster knives that I have are well made, and to find pristine specimens like that....
 
Beautiful knives. Just simple reliable pocket pals. They look so eager and at attention it's almost sad that no one ever got to use them, but good to see they'll live out their lives on the Campagna pastures.
 
From what I have and seen,the early Ulsters were exceptional knives.

Those are beautiful specimens Charlie,lovely knives.You are correct,if you want it bad enough,you will find a way. I am living proof.Creative financing,good friends,credit,?,I've used it all.

That etch on the HJ is quite extraordinary,congrats.

Here's one that came from the same gentleman's collection,although not an Ulster,a Camillus.Ulsters forthcoming.

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And an Ulster.

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another Ulster

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another
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last Ulster

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It's a one in life time chance (or maybe twice...) to own super knives like these when a great collection is being taken apart. This is the chance for many lucky collector to put their hands on some jewels, it also a bit sad to realize that a piece of knives history ends. Anyway these 5 are magnificent as they should, I wish they made a catalog of this collection.

Mike
 
As always, thanks for sharing your great knives with us.

I don't think I will ever be in a position to see old knives like these in person.
 
Nice to see your Ulsters, Lyle!
I've had this one for a while. It's one of the knives that convinced me that Ulsters were great knives!.A bit bigger than the usual Balloon whittlers and pens.
UlsterBalloonJack_zps27c6bad6.jpg

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Gents, these are beautiful. I'm so jealous. Some have noted from my sig line that I've been trying to find a nice two blade Ulster for some time. My wife is from Ulster, and I met her there while I lived there for six years. I know that the knives have nothing to do with the Province but I'd love to see the look on her face Lol!

Charlie, I can't imagine that you have as many Ulsters as you do in your Barlow collection but if you have more, please post pics of them. Same goes to you Lyle, those farmers are stunning!

Paul
 
Lordy!! I need a Bib!!!!

Lyle - its tragic that you own those STUNNING Ulsters and that I dont! :D I just LOVE thso massive cut Swedges - just look at the work in the Sheeps-foot blade of the first Ulster Farmers Jack - the Swedges going on, the recess for the nail nick for the Main, the Thumb notches - thats a very busy Blade!!!
The second scan shows a knife to die for! - man that is a sweetheart of a knife, so is the last - now is that second cut Stag? I guess it would be hard to tell once it has been jigged ( so nicely - and whew is it jigged so nicely!!!)

Charlie - you had to be convinced that Ulsters were good knives? :) my friend its me who was awoken to Ulsters great quality by you- I am sure I am not alone with that one! That Ulster Ebony Jack, what size is that one - that really is a beautiful example of pre-birth Duncan Quality, post Duncan things kinda went down hill - I can only apologise about that!!!:o
 
Wow, fantastic haul Charlie, congratulations :thumbup:
 
Man, those are beauties Charlie! Well done, and a more deserving owner I can't imagine.

My Ulster contribution:
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I'm not sure if it's covered with smooth bone or ivory (it was sold to me as ivory), but it sure is a looker!
 
That is the fraternal twin of mine, Dan!
Nice knife!!
 
Just a few examples of Ulster I have acquired alone the way, as you requested, Charlie. Again, thanks for sharing your Factory beauties with us!! And that swell center....wow!!


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Charlie--thanks for sharing your great fortune with us. It looks like you got the pick of the litter, and it couldn't have happened to a better man! It's awe inspiring to think that those stunning examples of the cutler's best art have come down to our generation in such great condition. The barlows and ballon jack are breathtaking enough, but that harness jack--WOW! That etch, the rolled punch, the grinds and bone--everything is exactly as it should be.

Lyle--I could look at your farmer jacks all day long. Nice, nice curved lines on those handles and hawkbills. Look at how much detail was given even to those secondary blades with the full swedges. Jaw-dropping.

Park1--Smooth bone or ivory, that is a stunning knife. That long-pull & cut swedge combination looks just right on that knife.

Gevonovich--each one of those knives looks exceptional--and such a variety of outstanding handle materials.
 
Charlie, it is a great pleasure to view these lovely old knives. Same goes out to wlfryjr and Gevonovich, Thank You all for sharing!
 
waynorth said:
I often wonder what people think when I show off these great knives.
Click to expand...

I can only speak for myself, personally. I am happy that you take such joy in your knives and that you choose to share them. I personally have a hard time owning something and keeping it pristine. My mother is a collector, and my older sister as well. So, I grew up in a house full of toys, teapots, baskets and various other treasures that sat unopened and unused. It always struck me as being a shame that the best examples of any particular category should go unused while the people that use and enjoy these items regularly are stuck with lesser specimen.

On the flip side, my childhood ingrained in me a respect for honoring the history of an item. I love going to museums and seeing ancient artifacts, and I know that if they had been used to their fullest they would no longer exist for me to appreciate. The one knife that came into my possession that I thought had historical significance was almost immediately mailed off to somebody that will cherish and preserve that history. I knew that in my possession it would be squandered.

I fully believe that knives are tools, made to be used. However, I also believe that the owner of that tool has bought the privilege of deciding how it's to be used. I use my knives for cutting, you use yours to learn, educate and entertain. I don't covet your knives, as I know that they would be wasted on me, but I do enjoy looking at them and reading about them. I respect the time and effort you put into showing us and teaching us about the history of your knives, even going so far as to recreate them in your GEC SFOs for everybody to enjoy. There aren't many out there that are so generous with their time, and I suspect that most who happen into the pocket knife realm are right here in this forum. It saddens me to know that many of the most beautiful items in the world are locked away where they never see the light of day. You, and others like you, are the antithesis of that conundrum. You achieve the impossible in putting a tool to use while also preserving it. For that, you have my thanks and admiration.
 
Beauties Charlie, congrats on owning some fine pieces of cutlery history!!!

Just a thought but have you ever entertained the idea of starting the Waynorth Museum of Cutlery??? ;)
 
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