Circa WW11 Military Folders

[Time Bandit]

You can't beat a good fry up.

Right mate, quoting from Ron Flook's British and Commonwealth Military Knives, All metal (clasp) knives underwent a period of brief manufacture in 1939/40, but then dropped out of favour untill 1944.

Then the all stainless steel pattern appeared, it was known as the Burma knife, and was apparently designed to replace the common black handled knife under corrosive conditions, i.e. the far east jungles.

The design was changed arround 1952 to the slightly rounded handle and different tin opener that is still in use today.

I have 2 of these dated 1953, both made by J H Thompson, Sheffield.

I'm not sure when the black handled bexoid pattern was phased out, but the latest one I have is dated 1950, and was made by C Johnson & Co. Sheffield.

Burma knife...well I never knew that. I'd just figured it was like an interim design between the bexoid ones and the later stainless type. I never gave it a thought that they would of run alongside the older ones. I didn't realised the black grips had gone on as late as they did either.

Ta very much Zorro you've filled a few gaps in for me, I've collected these for a few years now but I must admit it's only recently that I've really started to learn about them, in the past I just bought 'cos I liked 'em, now I'm enjoying finding out about them, all the different makers, the history and all that.

I guess I really need to get a copy of Ron Flook's book but I gather it's are a bit like Rockin' 'Oss wotsit to get hold of?

[zorro]

I guess I really need to get a copy of Ron Flook's book but I gather it's are a bit like Rockin' 'Oss wotsit to get hold of?

It's out of print, the copy I have actually belongs to fellow BB member Chevin. I've sort of got it on a permanent loan basis untill I can find a copy of my own. I ordered a second hand one from the U.S. through Alibris and they sent me a book about early USAF jet fighters, put me right off trying again.

[Time Bandit]

Hmmm...sounds like it's gonna be a reet swine to get hold of?

Wonder if the local library can get hold of it?

[zorro]

Wonder if the local library can get hold of it?

Got to be worth a try.

[Time Bandit]

I thought I'd post pictures of this 6353 pattern knife I have. When you look at the pictures you can see it's not quite as it should be...

The knife itself is a 1936 dated Wade & Butcher made version and has the broad arrow and a 6 on the spike.















The can opener is on the wrong side! The spring for the main blade is broken and I'm guessing whoever had the knife must have been quite attached to it because it looks like they must of taken the knife apart and put the blade onto the undamaged spring so that they could continue using the knife, the can opener has the stud removed and been placed where the main blade was originally installed, the can opener is now unusable (though it still opens okay if you get hold of it with some pliers). I've no idea when this happened but going by the looks of the knife it was a good few years ago, maybe during the war even? I guess we'll never know for sure. It's not something I would of bought in this condition usually but something about it just cried out to me, not sure why, just felt it had a great history to it, even if it's one I'll never know?

[zorro]

something about it just cried out to me, not sure why, just felt it had a great history to it, even if it's one I'll never know?

That's what appeals to me with old working knives, can't resist them.

[Dutchy357]

Ain't it the truth!!

I have on my Web Site:

Knives that tell a story!

I only wish they could speak to me"

[Time Bandit]

Ain't it the truth!!

I have on my Web Site:

Knives that tell a story!

I only wish they could speak to me"

Your not wrong there, I look at my stuff sometimes, not just my knives but the bayonets, helmets, guns etc and I wonder "where have you been, what have you seen and I'll bet you've some tales to tell..." alas, they are all keeping their stories to themselves...but a little bit of imagination always helps!

[Time Bandit]

I guess I really need to get a copy of Ron Flook's book but I gather it's are a bit like Rockin' 'Oss wotsit to get hold of?

It's out of print, the copy I have actually belongs to fellow BB member Chevin. I've sort of got it on a permanent loan basis untill I can find a copy of my own. I ordered a second hand one from the U.S. through Alibris and they sent me a book about early USAF jet fighters, put me right off trying again.

Just out of curiosity...if one happened to find a copy of this, what would be a okay price to end up paying if it was in as new condition?

[Time Bandit]

British & Commonwealth Military Knives...

Bloody hell...!!!

[sebago]

Is there a real good, understandable, solid reason why you guys don't buy these books when they are first published?

Jim Taylor.

[zorro]

Is there a real good, understandable, solid reason why you guys don't buy these books when they are first published?

Jim Taylor.

Yes

[Dutchy357]

British & Commonwealth Military Knives...

Bloody hell...!!!

AND then some!!.

I pointed a fellow collector to one last August that I found on one of the Book search engines. It was less than USD50.00 inc postage. Damn!! I should have bought it myself.

Dont worry, its not there now! I looked.


Dutchy

[Time Bandit]

Is there a real good, understandable, solid reason why you guys don't buy these books when they are first published?

Jim Taylor.

Erm...I refer the honorable gentleman to Zorro's answer...I'm in the same club I think!

[gew8805]

Try John Gebhardt at Virginia Books:

vabooks@yahoo.com

Tell him what you are looking for. Not sure of the price but John had several brand new copies for sale. He is in the US but shipping should not be too expensive. Hope this helps.