Ulster Factory Collection

[waynorth]

You have got a nice Ulster collection going there, Gev! I like them every one!

 

[Gevonovich]

You have got a nice Ulster collection going there, Gev! I like them every one!

It really is your collection that started me on this journey, Charlie! Thank you.

 

[pertinux]

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

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.

I really can't add to what you guys have just said, and an attempt at putting the same into my own words would seem derivative.

To the rest of you: please read the above again, don't just breeze by because they are 'quotes.'

(Well said, gentlemen!)

Charlie, for those of us less-informed: could you please tell me the date[ranges?] of the knives you are showing us? If I've missed where you've already specified this, I apologize.

Thanks!

~ P.

 

[waynorth]

~P, I am away from my reference books for 10 days or so. Maybe someone else can chime in.
They are certainly pre-WWII. The HJ may go back to the 1920s - 1930s.
The punch design is older, but the execution, especially since it was on display, makes after WWI more likely.
Thanks for the quotes!

 

[Jody744]

Wow, you always score the coolest old knives....
Thanks for showing!

 

[knowtracks]

It's already been said Charlie, I can't add anything new. All I can say is JACKPOT!
I'm very happy for you. They couldn't have gone any place better than into your care.

Dave

 

[Primble]

My only Ulster - pretty bone - model 3558:

The blades have a lot of scratches on them, but, not so deep and it has been cleaned with a buffer.

There is a faint TRADE Ulster etching visible on the main blade - I enhanced it - it is really faint to the naked eye.

What I need to decide is if I will leave it as found OR do what I do so often and try to take it back towards old.

I was thinking my normal light Primble rubbing to satin it all down or maybe more and try to rub out all the scratches.

Due to a very cloudy day today, the blades do not look so shiny, but, are shiny.

I would be interested in constructive comments and I thank you.

 

[Campbellclanman]

S a beautiful knife Primble Sir, the Bone is simply stunning!!!! Wow!!
The etch will be lost if you remove the scratches- and the way you do such a fine job on your knives, I would normally say leave the knife, but you do a splendid job on removing such nasties from knives that in this case I personally say go for it!

 

[thawk]

Charlie - Nice pick ups there. Great Ulster knives. Are all of the barlows marked with the same tang stamp? And are the secondary blades stamped? I would suppose they are not.

 

[Primble]

The restored Ulster - back to it's days of glory:

 

[Rsmith_77]

you know primble. Pretty aside (and lord knows she's a beauty)
that looks like a dang handy little blade set up!

Me likey!!

 

[waynorth]

Nice work on the cattle knife, Rob!

Nice bunch, Hal, esp. the OT!! I'll recheck the tang stamps . . . .

 

[waynorth]

All blades including pens, and the punch, are tang stamped:
ULSTER
KNIFE
CO
In many cases "all tangs stamped" indicates greater age.

 

[wlfryjr]

Duncan,I'm s l o w ,sorry I haven't responded to your query.I don't know,but I'm pretty sure just very early jigged bone .The Southington farmer I have has very similar bone color and jigging.I think they are both from the 19th century.

Speaking of the Ulster stamps,I love the serif? lettering.Here's another old one ,for those who haven't seen this unique farmer.Huge pruning blade too...

 

[waynorth]

That's an impressive Ulster HJ, Lyle! I always like seeing it, and the mis-spelled tang stamp!

It's raining Ulsters around here!!

Most of you have seen that nice Cattle knife that Primble sent to me after tending to its abused condition! It is sitting by my diamond hones, waiting to get a new edge! I am going to carry that one!

Proof that things happen in groups! In time for my birthday, the fellow purveying the Ulster Factory collection, found another HJ in the boxes, mis-filed, and called me right away! How could I refuse?

Another fine example of Ulster's pride in their workmanship!

Last, but definitely not least, Dan Parke noticed me oohing and ahhing over his swell center Jack, and sent it off to me!!!!
Sheeeesh, Dan, just because it was my Birthday, you didn't have to do that!!!
Actually, it is a trade, and I think I have found just what Dan needs!! I am sure he will fill you in when the time comes!

BTW, it is definitely Ivory! (We had some discussion when Dan first posted it!)

I never really set out to collect Ulsters, but have always recognized their superior quality. And there they are!

 

[Bigfattyt]

I love seeing the pristine examples, but I also love seeing the well sharpened used ones just as much!

Nothing like a piece of history you can drop in your pocket and carry!

 

[Primble]

That's an impressive Ulster HJ, Lyle! I always like seeing it, and the mis-spelled tang stamp!

It's raining Ulsters around here!!

I never really set out to collect Ulsters, but have always recognized their superior quality. And there they are!

WOW Charlie - just those three Ulsters would make a very nice collection, but, then you also have those wonderful examples seen prior to. I think your scanner captures the detail of these knives very nicely and it also reveals the exact colors of the bone which I remember on your cattle knife. :thumbup: I had a very hard time with poor light on the second go round of taking pics of the cattle knife.

I marveled at the quality of the cattle knife for the short time I had it. Quality one can see and feel. I thought about re-introducing a patina to the knife, but, decided that your patina process might be the better or maybe just let time do the job. Either way would be very nice I suppose.

I will be looking forward to seeing the old knife after it has been toted round a bit. :thumbup:

 

[Primble]

Charlie - Nice pick ups there. Great Ulster knives. Are all of the barlows marked with the same tang stamp? And are the secondary blades stamped? I would suppose they are not.

Like this one a lot hawk ! :thumbup:

 

[Parke1]

Charlie, I'm thrilled that the Ulster made it to you safely and that it's up to your standards!

Oh, and it is raining Ulsters, indeed. I managed to pick up this one over the weekend:

It even still sports the blade etch!

The gentleman who I purchased it from is 84 years old and just has an amazing collection. I'm supposed to meet up with him for lunch in a couple weeks and maybe swap a few knives. I'm stoked! Pmew, I'll be shopping for you while I'm there!