unused pre-wwI congress mop (pic heavy)

[fatcorgi]

very happy with this acquisition, I asked Bernard Levine to appraise it, he suggested it was pre-WWI, maybe made by P Kull in Vienna, I couldn't find any further information on that cutler, but the main thing is it's a very pretty knife:
its own leather carry case, looks like a mini violin case

a congress, MOP covers

swedges are beautifully cut and the springs are flush in all positions:

this thing is very small:

This is the only knife I own that one could call an antique, so I am uncertain of how to take care if it, the blades have blotches on them, I don't know if that is developing rust that I need to get rid of, the MOP cover on the pile side is also cracked at the centre pin - how do I minimise the possibility of it coming apart completely? How do I preserve the leather? How do I store it
...can't wait to drop it in my pocket and put it to some had work around the farm

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Man, that is cool!!! Did not realize how tiny until I saw the pic of it in your hand, and the size comparison next to the sak... really cooool!!!

 

[jackknife]

What an exquisite, elegant little cuttie!!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

I don't know what to do about the cracked pearl, but I think I'd sit it out and have a sip of single barrel bourbon and contemplate the beauty of the thing. I'd definitely be very curious about the history of the knife. Who was it made for, who carried it and the age of it. I could see it slicing open an invitation to the opera.

Carl.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I know you really don't want that old haggered thing... Just send it to me and I will properly dispose of it for you, lol!!! ;-)

 

[fatcorgi]

@PocketKnifeJimmy - yeah, I deliberately left the scale ambiguous until the end to freak people out
@jackknife - good thinking, I'm guessing single malt will do as a substitute? I actually put it away from my desk just in case I am tempted to examine it after a few drinks, and damage it, the blades are so small and fiddly to open it would be too easy to break them.

 

[pipedreams308]

What an amazing little Congress!

 

[FLymon]

Beautiful knife!
Thanks for sharing.

Maybe you can contact a few museums near you and inquire about preserving the knife, and case? I imagine that little case could be more rare than the knife, and together they make for a much more interesting "piece".

 

[mike Berkovitch]

Great find, exquisite work.

Mike

 

[fatcorgi]

What an exquisite, elegant little cuttie!!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

I don't know what to do about the cracked pearl, but I think I'd sit it out and have a sip of single barrel bourbon and contemplate the beauty of the thing. I'd definitely be very curious about the history of the knife. Who was it made for, who carried it and the age of it. I could see it slicing open an invitation to the opera.

Carl.

it is interesting to ponder the history of this thing, I bought it from a seller in Vienna, the knife was hanging out in this town when Mahler was still conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, and Freud was still practicing psychoanalysis, perhaps if I drink enough bourbon it will start talking

 

[akadave2]

That is an amazing knife! Very nice find!

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

"What is this? A knife for ants?"

What an intricate little beauty! I didn't expect it to be that small from the first photos - wow! That tiny case just makes it even better!

 

[lambertiana]

What a nice knife! In my opinion, the hallmark of true cutler's skill is the ability to execute such good blade grinds and then assemble something this small. Grinding a small blade so well takes a lot of skill.

 

[Chris Montgomery]

That is very cool. I love the case. I am a sucker for MOP. You got a really cool find.

I recently got a I XL Wostenholm stag congress that is almost as small. Mine is 3" exact. I posted it recently as flea market Sheffield. Thanks for sharing.

Chris

 

[Campbellclanman]

That knife defines Master Cutlery, an beautiful example of yesteryears workmanship. That's a treasure I would hold onto and thank you or showing us.
Use renaissance wax on the complete knife, scales and all, it will not damage any part of the knife, use Mineral oil in the joints, keep it in the case.
The Leather I would use Bees Wax.

 

[fatcorgi]

@bwperdue - indeed a knife for ants made from 'blue steel'
@Campbellclanman - thanks for the tips, I'll find out what the german equivalent of the renaissance and bees wax are, good to know how to keep the leather conditioned, I have the feeling that pressing the little clasp on the case damages the leather a little each time