What "Traditional Knife" are ya totin' today?

It’s that time of year—garlic scapes!
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Just staggering into Stagurday. A W.H. Wragg (Sheffield) barehead jack. Goins says the mark was used from 1830-1850, but this knife's in pretty good shape to be that old. Jack Black Jack Black , do I have my dates correct?

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- Stuart

William Henry Wragg was born around 1831, but didn't set up shop until 1871. Between 1873 and 1894, he was based at Cambridge Street Horn Works in the centre of Sheffield, making sportsman's knives, folding hunting knives, and Bowies. Wragg was very highly regarded as a cutler. By 1881, he employed seven men and two boys. His sons Frederick and William Henry also worked as cutlers, and continued the business after their father died in 1886. William Henry Wragg Jnr was based at Congo Works, Trippet Lane (photo below). The third generation of Wragg cutlers continued the business into the interwar period, with Frederick's son, also William Henry heading up the firm. William Henry's son, Eric M. Wragg (1920-1994), also went into the trade, and after World War 2, he worked with his father in a workshop at 100 Rockingham Street, which they rented from William Morton & Sons. They operated as 'Little Mesters', jobbing cutlers making knives for local shops and companies such as Joseph Elliot, John Petty, TEW, and Morton's, as well as high-end London retailers, and American customers. When William Henry died in 1955, Eric took over the business, retiring in 1985.

Nice knife Stuart :thumbsup:

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Edit - Just adding a pic of Eric Wragg from 1975. At this time he was based on West Street , Sheffield, (above Morton's cutlery showroom, 100-104, which I have posted about before), and I remember looking into his workshop as a teenager. Stan Shaw used to do some work for him, working for a couple of hours after he clocked-off at Ibberson's :thumbsup:

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I never noticed the blade on the Tascosa in photos before. I like how the belly sits farther back from the point - combined with the swedge, and it's great looking. How does it compare size wise to the 43?

Does the flask still smell like vodka?:cool:

Tascosa is 3.25" OAL closed. Not a fixed blade, but confident it won't close on my hand if necessary to use aggressively. The flask is brand new and I don't drink, or at least haven't had even a beer in a few years.

Pin given to me by Master Sergeant Richard H, this pin absolutely glows. Am sure it's not gold leaf, but it looks like it could be. Only the United States STrategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) personnel got these, they were rare even to them and not traded. "Rick" was Assistant NCOIC of Missile Maintenance Team section when I was the branch NCOIC. He wasn't a pretty boy, wasn't interested in Professional Military Education, so he wasn't an obvious choice for a Washington DC assignment. But Rick was smart and SOLID. Haven't heard from him in years but if you are reading this, THANKS Rick for your dedicated service as a patriot to freedom!

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