Vintage Sheffield folder's (pic heavy !)

[bushmansedge]

Had my knuckles rapped yesterday Jim. Stan maintains they have always been called catch 'bits' not catch pieces.

I said earlier in the thread though that catch 'pieces' were more often referred to as catch bits, but I stand corrected nontheless.
Tom.

Hi Owdtom,
It emphasizes yet again just how important it really is that we keep these terms and all the jargon alive and accurately recorded.
Are you able to say what white metal, as used in catch bits, is? Would it be a white brass or more like babbit bearing metal ?

Thanks,
Jim

[OWDTOM]

Hi Owdtom,
Are you able to say what white metal, as used in catch bits, is? Would it be a white brass or more like babbit bearing metal ?

Thanks,
Jim

As I said Jim, you'll come across more made out of brass than anything else, but to answer your question as far as I can, the white metal, so long as it was softer than the blade tip could be nickel, white brass or whatever, but was usually 'pot metal' - called in this part of the world - 'monkey metal'.

To save time because I'm in a bit of a rush, I've borrowed the following from wikipedia:-


"Pot metal is a slang term that refers to alloys that consist of inexpensive, low-melting point metals used to make fast, inexpensive castings. There is no scientific metallurgical standard for pot metal; common metals in pot metal include zinc, lead, copper, tin, magnesium, aluminium, iron, and cadmium. The primary advantage of pot metal is that it is quick and easy to cast.

Due to its low melting temperature no sophisticated foundry equipment is needed and specialized molds are not necessary. It is sometimes used to experiment with molds and ideas before using metals of higher quality. It is sometime referred to as white metal, die-cast zinc, or monkey metal".

Hope this helps.

I'm signing off now and won't be back until 24th June - cruising in the Med!

Tom.

[Smiling-Knife]

I hope you have a great cruise Tom. Best wishes.

[dkonopinski]

Best regards. Tom. Have a great holiday.

David

[wellington03]

Just like to show this extremely unusual and rare old, 1780-90 ? folding knife. The pistol grip handle has horn scales, integral iron liners/bolsters and pins, the back spring has a nicely rounded top edge, the blade has a square tang and square kick, unknown maker and origin. I think the person who made the knife marked his initials "W D" on the pile side tang.

Does anyone know its correct intended use ??

I will post the answer later.

Mick

[Stuart Mitchell]

Does anyone know its correct intended use ??

It's to put over your head to pretend you have been 'run through'....

[wellington03]

It's to put over your head to pretend you have been 'run through'....

Well that didn't last long !! not head, but near enough, well done Stuart.

Its a "trick hand or wrist" knife

NOT for the faint hearted !

Mick

[Berkley]

Does anyone know its correct intended use ??

Any relation to this magician's stage knife from a 19th Century catalog?

Oops - took too long posting, stuart beat me to it!

[Stuart Mitchell]

Really!

I was actually joking....

[wellington03]

Hi Berkley, I guess the "magic knife" version was slightly more modern ?. I think many of these "trick" knives were of Continental, German maybe ? manufacture.


Mick .

[yaro5]

Here's a lovely little quill knife, marked "Field 53 Regents St" on both blades.
Pen and coping blade both with long pulls,ivory handles with brass liners. Looks to be Sheffield quality for sure.
Haven't much info on Field.

Joe

[yaro5]

This is another quill knife made during the reign of William IV. Spear blade marked W(crown) R Marsh Superior Cutlery.
Looks to be the mark of William and Thomas Marsh of Cricket Lane Sheffield.

Joe

[Berkley]

Hi again Joe,

I KNOW that you own some wonderful old Sheffield knives and I also know that the regulars here on this forum would love to see a few. So, why not post a few on the "Sheffield" thread?

Jim Taylor.

Jim was certainly right Thank you for sharing those - I hope there are more to come!

[yaro5]

This ones not so old but I think it is rare. How often do you see a JR pearl Barlow. Looks to be 1960s construction.

Joe

[wellington03]

Welcome to the thread Joe, thanks for posting pictures of two exquisite, very fine quill knives.

The William IV period W & T Marsh, with the beautifully carved pearl two piece scales looks in superb (mint !) condition , the Field also is a super item, top quality.

..Interesting later Rodgers pearl Barlow, no not seen one quite like that before ?

Mick.