William Scagel corkscrew

[HTMD]

First one of these I've ever seen.*

In preparation for photographing this unique item made by William Scagel, 'Grandfather of modern custom knife-making' I researched a bit about corkscrews, their history and such.

This simple-appearing style is called the "direct pull" for obvious reasons. What's not so obvious is that Scagel took the high road and forged a proper worm designed to pull the cork without breaking it apart.

Though the stag has shrunk a bit through the decades and brass is no longer considered high end for fittings, this would have been a very classy accessory in its time. As such it may have been part of a set or group of commissioned items that might have included kitchen knives or tableware, or possibly one of Scagel's excellent tin-lined copper pots for an ice bucket (to chill the uncorked wine).

*James R. Lucie collection

 

[Jos]

Nice piece. I like corkscrews. It's a bad evolution that wine bottles nowadays have screw-caps (or how you call them thingies in English?). A nicely made corkscrew is just as interesting as a nicely made knife.

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[MadBug]

"this would have been a very classy accessory in its time."

I think it is a very classy accessory in our time.

 

[rprocter]

"screw cap" is correct name.
roland

 

[muddy672]

That is a great pick up. I agree the higher end corkscrews are comparable to custom made knives. Some makers put out very high end waiter slipjoints with forged pulls. I used to own numerous real laguiole corkscrews and they are a pleasure to hold and use and great conversation points.

 

[Hmathews]

What a great looking old piece! He really had a good eye. It would be a pleasure to un cork one with that.