Photos Vintage P.Holmberg Eskilstuna hunting knife

[kwackster]

Vintage P.Holmberg hunting knife, made in the Swedish city of Eskilstuna.
Pontus Holmberg (1852 – 1893) started his factory in 1876 (Aktiebolaget Pontus Holmberg).
When Pontus died in 1893, the company was first operated by Pontus’ brother Fritiof Holmberg (1860 – 1911) and later by Fritiof’s sons Fritiof Ragnar (1889 – 1916) and Fritiof Ruben (1893 – 1952).
In 1951, the company was sold to Heljestrands industries, and the company produced barrel knives at least until 1954.
The company closed its doors in the early 1960's.

(You can click each pic 2 x for more detail)

Specs:

Overall length: 26,5 cm (10.43 inch)
Blade length: 15,4 cm (6.06 inch)
Blade thickness: 3,0 mm
Blade steel: carbon steel
Grind: scandi (+/- 30 degrees inclusive)
Handle material: brass guard, brass & leather washers, stag panels, aluminium pommel with brass nut
Sheath: leather with folded steel point protector and original red leather "button lip".

This YouTube clip by a German collector showcases the newer stainless steel version of this model:

 

[Rich S]

Really nice knife. My wife collects Swedish barrel knives and has several Holmbergs.

Rich

 

[afishhunter]

Very nice.

 

[John A. Larsen]

They made a "Walking Out" (dress) bayonet that looked a lot like this knife. John

 

[Bigfattyt]

Very nice!!!

 

[Mikael W]

Congrats!

Holmberg made decent knives with good heat-treatment and they are good users.
Examples like Yours makes a fine collectors piece and they are still availible at a reasonable investment.
I have a Holmberg in a North European Dadley pattern and they were mostly sold as a seamans knife.
It's made of stainless steel, probably 12c27. It takes and holds an edge very well for a knife from the 1950'ies.


Regards
Mikael

 

[kwackster]

As the original edge of the knife was rather blunt i gave it a new one, after grinding the old apex flat on the Tormek by using a combination of Rubber Wheels coated with diamond grit to create the new bevels & various Paper Wheels with fine diamond compounds for the finishing steps.
Now photographing shiny metal to resemble accurately what it looks like in real life will always remain difficult (especially with a cheap camera like mine), and this edge is no exception: what at first glance may look like a polished edge is in effect just a polished toothy edge, but one that is easily hairwhittling sharp yet has noticeably more bite than expected.
The new edge is ever so slightly convex and it's apex fits in the 30 degrees inclusive slot of my Tormek WM200 angle guide.

(You can click each pic 2 x for more detail)