Your Oldest Traditional Knife

[WhittlinAway]

I was reflecting on how—like the porch members themselves—the knives posted here represent a wide range of ages. From 100+ year old relics to freshly minted new models still sporting their factory oil, they are all found and appreciated here.

I'm curious: how old is the oldest traditional knife in your collection? I invite you to join in the poll. If you don't know the exact age, don't worry, use your best guess.

Photos and descriptions of your oldest knife are also encouraged, of course.

 

[kamagong]

I don't have an exact age, but this Miller Bros. harness jack is probably more than a century old.

 

[major_works]

This Dwight, Devine and Sons camp knife is about 90 years old or so.

 

[oldtymer]

Don't know the exact year but the company shut down in the mid 60's so it is at least that old.
Marshall-Wells equal end pen with polished stag covers. German made not sure of the steel
but it takes a great edge.

 

[r8shell]

Nice idea for a thread.
I'm always looking for a 100+ year old knife that's not in perfect mint condition, so it's affordable, and I can actually carry it without stress. (not that I'd pass up a deal on a perfect specimen, but I'd be hesitant to use it)

Terrier (1910-1916)

Empire (1856-1930)

Lenox (c1909-1920)

 

[Rich S]

Does a bronze dagger from Luristan, ca 1200-100- BC qualify? How about ca. 1850 Wostenholms, Graves, Rodgers?
Sorry no pics, no digicam.

Rich

 

[Buzzbait]

To my best approximation, this old guy was made some time after the end of WW1, and before WW2. Probably the late 1920's

 

[glennbad]

Probably my oldest....Wade & Butcher, no later than 1890

 

[Hickory n steel]

This Imperial H6 fixed blade I believe to be from the 50's.
It has what is basically the the '58-'88 tang stamp but without the crown which isn't a documented tang stamp.
The solid black delrin scales easily broke one me, and the sheath was petrified. These things tell me that it gas to just be old, because if neglect was the cause the blades condition would've been similar.

That Imperial peanut has the proper documented'58-'88 tang stamp, but since it was nos when I got it I'm thinking that it's probably on the newer side of that date range.

 

[PirateSeulb]

No photo at the moment but I have a Case Folding Hunter not certain the year Case experts have told me it is prior to 1970 its a little worn have had some amateur engraving done on it and currently dull as a butter knife. It isn't in the best of shape but it was given to me by my grandfather so its a sentimental piece if nothing more. I will probably start carrying it once I get an edge put back on it I just can't hand sharpen and don't own any good sharpening systems.

 

[Old Engineer]

I believe that this is my oldest traditional . The tang stamp does not have the word ENGLAND on it . Have to use some old pics.



Harry

 

[black mamba]

I have three Robeson ShurEdge Rochester stamped knives from 1922-'39, so at least 80 years old.
They're all in great condition; I was blessed to find them reasonably priced.

#722167½ Equal End Pen

#822105 Equal End Jack

#622359 Swell Center Pen

 

[Dirty_Dan]

Probably my oldest....Wade & Butcher, no later than 1890

Wow, what's an awesome piece of history!

 

[Dirty_Dan]

I don't have a picture right now of my oldest, I will try to get one up soon. But it was my great grandfather's, given to me by my grandfather. Not sure of the exact age, but my grandfather is in his eighties, so it might be around that age. I might ask him if I get the chance, for I will see him today!

 

[TinyDog]

This would be my oldest. I happened to find this in a antique store withing 3 miles of my home. Several years later I purchased a Cutlery book, " New Jersey Cutlery" by Phillip Pankiewicz and low and behold the exact knife is published on several pages. TD

 

[WhittlinAway]

The old knives being shown here are fantastic and a real treat to look at and wonder about their history. Thanks for sharing, everyone! I wish now that I'd added a few more buckets instead of stopping at 100+.

I've posted this one in a couple of other places recently, but it belongs here, too, as it is, by far, my oldest:

I believe its age is in the range of 71-76 years.

 

[Augie]

I've got several 100 plus year old knives, probably the oldest American made knife is an unfinished Gardner Barlow from 1880's or so.
Oldest English made is a Wostenholm horseman's knife, thinking 1860's or so on this one due to the fleam blade and Wostenholm Celebrated tang stamp.

 

[JITDC]

I've got this old Remington Barlow to add to the list. I believe it's from the 30's.

 

[r8shell]

Wadsworth (c1905-1922)


Walden (c1870-1923)

After a little work to make it usable.

 

[Bartleby]

To my best approximation, this old guy was made some time after the end of WW1, and before WW2. Probably the late 1920's

Is this one a Camillus? This looks very similar to the Camillus version of the 2 blade Navy jack knife made for issue during WWII.