Which pattern for 1880s?

[Brian.Evans]

If I were carrying a knife in the late 1880s through about the turn of the century, what would I have in my pocket? I have an idea for a really cool slipjoint, but I need to know an appropriate pattern for the year range.

 

[Vanguard41xx]

I'd say some sort of jack knife, be it one or two blades with possibly ebony, rosewood, or jigged bone covers.

 

[Brian.Evans]

If you want to answer, or give your favorite pattern from that era, feel free. I just found the old catalog pages thread, and the first ten or fifteen pictures are from 1886 & 1887. Haha.

 

[lambertiana]

From the 1880s:

Does that give you enough to work with?

 

[akadave2]

Amazing! What an array of models to choose from! I would love to go back and knife shop!

 

[knowtracks]

I don't know about the OP'er BUT I'm pretty good!!

Dave

 

[mr_badexample]

Those prices are "per dozen!"

 

[Thalestin]

Oh boy, would I ever love to spend some money on knives back then. What a beautiful array of patterns. I would just love to see what they all would look like in real

 

[Bigfattyt]

Amazing! What an array of models to choose from! I would love to go back and knife shop!

This! I war just wishing for a time machine!

Some great knives! Great start for the thread!

 

[akadave2]

I was reading that it was not uncommon for knife manufacturers to have 500 patterns!!!!! Whatever happened to all those old knives!?

 

[hawaiianhawk]

Thanks for sharing! Look at all those models... Going through old catalog pages like that is always interesting. If only we had a time machine...

 

[argel55]

Google Steamboat Arabia Knives. Steamboa that sank in Missouri River and was discovered 40 feet down in a field. Had barrels of knives which surprisingly were in very good shape. As the catalog pics were a lot like we have today.

 

[jackknife]

I love lookingat all those old patterns. Thank you so much for posting that catalogue again, Lambertiana.:thumbup:

It would seem that no matter the pattern, the two blade jack of some sort was king. One single lock blade listed, One keychain looking size SAK type, a few single blades of differing patterns, but the vast majority seems to be two blade jacks, with a few three blades here and there.

Carl.

 

[pistonsandgears]

Some real nice looking knives in that old catalog, wish I could find some of those.

 

[ptradeco]

Since no one has mentioned them these links are to Stickies at the beginning of this forum:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/755317-Vintage-Knife-Catalogs-amp-Ads-(Images-Only)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/527126-quot-Old-Knives-quot

And a thread that is not a Sticky:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-1930-A-golden-age?highlight=shades+sheffield

 

[mike Berkovitch]

It is always a pleasure to look at your old advertisements.
Mike

 

[Hammer67]

Spear and pen shapes were clearly the predominant style. Interesting....

 

[screened porch]

Spear and pen shapes were clearly the predominant style. Interesting....

I wish I could remember what turn-of-the-century authority I was reading, on choosing a jackknife, who said not to worry if your knife doesn't have a clip-point blade; it's better if it doesn't. As if he thought it a silly fad to want your jackknife to look like a Bowie.

 

[bear1889]

I'll take one of each out of the catalog.

 

[mnblade]

If I were carrying a knife in the late 1880s through about the turn of the century, what would I have in my pocket? I have an idea for a really cool slipjoint, but I need to know an appropriate pattern for the year range.

To answer that, we need to know something about your 1880s guy. Is he a ranch boss? Cowboy? Dock worker? Clerk? Minister?

-- Mark