Yet anothers smoker's knife - this time from Harrison Brothers & Howson

Jack Black

Jack Black

Seize the Lambsfoot! Seize the Day!
Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
69,173




I picked up this interesting little (about the same size as my little finger) knife today. It’s made by the old Sheffield firm of Harrison Brothers & Howson. It features a cheroot- cutter, which is stamped with the name of the firm, with ‘Sheffield England’ on the reverse of the tang. It does not feature the company’s crown trademark.





The second tool is a small two-pronged fork. The trader I bought it from told me the fork was a ‘cheroot-pricker’, but I’ve not seen any cigar piercers of this design.



The remains of a third tool sit discreetly below, hugging the diagonal single spring. Based on the shape of the ‘nub’ and the cut-out, as well as the minimal depth beneath the cut-out, I’d guess this was a spike, but that’s only a guess.





Harrison Brothers & Howson were in business from 1853 or 1854 to 1919 or as late as 1942 (sources disagree). This is an old and well (though inexpensively) made knife. Be interesting to hear your thoughts on it, and as always, additional info is very much appreciated.

Jack
 
LeatherMan64 said:
This is a safer, less expensive route in the long run, I believe. Collecting the best kind of paraphernalia :)
Click to expand...

With all these knives, I can't affoord to smoke! :D

Woodrow F Call said:
Are you a cigar smoker?
Click to expand...

I used to smoke them regularly as a teenager. I think the last time I had one was Christmas Day about six years ago, a good one I'd been gifted and had put aside - not since I was a teenager I hasten to add! :D I quit smoking 35 years ago, and I still can't resist having a look round a good tobacconist! :D
 
Jack Black said:
With all these knives, I can't affoord to smoke! :D



I used to smoke them regularly as a teenager. I think the last time I had one was Christmas Day about six years ago, a good one I'd been gifted and had put aside - not since I was a teenager I hasten to add! :D I quit smoking 35 years ago, and I still can't resist having a look round a good tobacconist! :D
Click to expand...

I love the smell of a good tobacco shop. I don't smoke though. I don't really have a problem if someone does.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
I love the smell of a good tobacco shop. I don't smoke though. I don't really have a problem if someone does.
Click to expand...

I always seem to be able to manage an excuse to go in, some snuff for Andi, or some shaving cream for me, etc, etc. Interesting places! :D
 
I have heard, from more than one source, that the "fork" is used to hold and smoke the butt, so you can savor that last tasty bit!! (I don't smoke, so what do I know!)
Anecdotal information of course.
You are starting a nice interesting collection, Jack!
I especially like the ones for smoking AND drinking!
 
waynorth said:
I have heard, from more than one source, that the "fork" is used to hold and smoke the butt, so you can savor that last tasty bit!! (I don't smoke, so what do I know!)
Anecdotal information of course.
You are starting a nice interesting collection, Jack!
I especially like the ones for smoking AND drinking!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help Charlie. I did wonder about that, but I don't smoke either! It's a very small fork, not exactly something you could eat your supper with! :D

puukkoman said:
Those are kinda neat! Making me think I should keep my eyes peeled for something like that to accompany my pipe. Thanks for posting, as always, Jack!
Click to expand...

Thanks Alex. Do you not have a pipe tool?! :eek: :D
 
Interessting pattern, Jack. Thanks for sharing. I really like the look of these old Sheffield made knives.

I´m still a smoker and hopefully not more longer. I smoke cigarettes for almost 13 years ... but I limited it down to about six cigarettes per day.

Pipes and cigars are not really smoking for me... they are more to relax and of really enjoying the time (in general). ;)
 
Thanks Andi, I'd like to find out more about it.

I have to remember I have some more old pipe pictures to post in Carl's Lounge! :)
 
Nice old smoker's knives Jack. This Victorian era smoker's knife has a cigar pincer, fold-out pipe tamper, pricker etc.
Smoker1.jpg

Smoker5.jpg

Smoker4-1.jpg
 
Ah, I was hoping you'd call in S-K! :) That's a beauty :)
 
And a nail file and a button hook for Sir's shoes!
Jack, I think you're right about the spike on yours, for getting a draft through an overly tight-packed cigar. I don't like the roach tool explanation for the fork, but I don't have a better one.

Smiling knife, what's a cigar pincer, and where is it on your knife?
 
scrteened porch said:
Jack, I think you're right about the spike on yours, for getting a draft through an overly tight-packed cigar. I don't like the roach tool explanation for the fork, but I don't have a better one.
Click to expand...

Could it be for 'pricking up' tobacco at the tip of the cigar prior to lighting, or wouldn't that make any sense? Clearly, I'm speculating! :D
 
Thanks guys.

scrteened porch said:
Smiling knife, what's a cigar pincer, and where is it on your knife?
Click to expand...

There is a spring-loaded two-prong pincer that is pushed through the butt of the cigar to open air holes. See the top of the knife in photo two. The nub in middle, 1/3 of the way in from the right side, is moved to the left. This springs opens the pincer mechanism. It is shown open in photo 3. The cigar (albeit a small one) is inserted into the end of the knife. Pushing down on the spiral button pierces two holes in the cigar. I hope this made sense.
 
The fork on this multi-blade gentleman's knife by Thomas Turner & Company Ltd. is plainly marked "CIGAR", so that the owner can avoid the terrible faux pas of using it to spear the onion out of his Gibson cocktail.
2ntuzqq.jpg

Forgetting the 1960s term "roach", at the time when these knives were being made, smoking a good cigar past the point where it could comfortably be held in the fingers was considered essential to enjoyment of all that concentrated "flavor". (A cigar contains 10-40 times the amount of nicotine that a cigarette has).
carrycasket.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top