W Wright - Sheffield

[FRJ]

Here is a W Wright - Sheffield. 2 11/16" closed. Tortoise shell with gold backing.
This is, I suppose, the finest knife I own now.
The craftsmanship is impeccable. It is so fine and beautifully made that it is a pleasure to hold.
I know nothing about the Wright stamp. Whoever made this knife was a master cutler, that's for sure.
Two posts.

Thanks for looking.

[cudgee]

Sensational. And great to see how much you appreciate it.

[FRJ]

Post two.

[Doc B]

Joe, that's a neat looking knife! I bet the tortoise shell is stunning, in hand!

[FRJ]

Thank you, cudgee, I sure do appreciate it.

Thank you, Doc. The tortoise shell is very nice.
Looking at the knife when it's all closed up and seeing how everything fits so well together and neatly placed is remarkable.
Every blade opens so smoothly and quite responsively.

[dlr110]

That is nothing less than PERFECTION!! If you don't mind me asking, how did you come by it, online, antique store etc.?

[FRJ]

Thank you, David.
I don't mind you asking. I bought it online.

[Sheffieldguy]

That is one beautiful knife!!! And great Sheffield craftsmanship!!! Thanks for the great pics!

[FRJ]

Thank you Sheffieldguy. I'm glad you appreciate the knife.

Actually, I have to retract the Tortoise shell covers.
They are celluloid.

Thanks again for looking.

[Sheffieldguy]

Sure looks like genuine tortoise shell to me!!! Regardless...fantastic knife!!

[LongBlade]

Guess I don’t check here enough...

Beauty Joe ... love those small exquisite knives!! Are you sure celluloid? You know better with knife in hand but I thought I was seeing gold foil under handle covers which was typically used with high end tortoise shell handles... honestly tortoise shell vs well done faux tortoise celluloid can “sometimes” be so hard to differentiate... I’m not one to stick a hot pin in an old knife handle nor do I ever smell camphor if I rub known celluloid so sometimes hard to identify at least for me in a few cases.. I had an IXL small pen with stainless steel blades and though I leaned to real tortoise it was impossible for me to tell .. anyway best advice I read was to use a strong loupe and look for layering and not defined edges to dark vs clear areas... real tortoise should be “fuzzy” between dark and translucent shell..

[Priscilla]

Very helpful comment regarding discriminating between tortoise and celluloid!

[FRJ]

Thank you for the comment Priscilla. It's nice to have you participate. There is so much to be learned on the forum.

Well, now I'm on the fence as to the covers on this knife. Maybe I do see a bit of "natural rippiling" on the surface excluding all the scratches over the years.
However, there are three cracks in the covers at the pins on each end. Two at the large and small ends on the mark side and one at the small end on the pile side. I show that one in the picture. So,---- does tortoise shell crack like that?

Thanks for your comments Sheffieldguy and Lee. I know you guys can solve this ---- 'cause I can't.

[LongBlade]

Thank you for the comment Priscilla. It's nice to have you participate. There is so much to be learned on the forum.

Well, now I'm on the fence as to the covers on this knife. Maybe I do see a bit of "natural rippiling" on the surface excluding all the scratches over the years.
However, there are three cracks in the covers at the pins on each end. Two at the large and small ends on the mark side and one at the small end on the pile side. I show that one in the picture. So,---- does tortoise shell crack like that?

Thanks for your comments Sheffieldguy and Lee. I know you guys can solve this ---- 'cause I can't.

I have seen a tortoise shell crack at the pin just as in your photo Joe ... Right or wrong I always think about celluloid shrinking but not cracking but I no doubt do not look at celluloid knives very often, and only have 5 different ones myself, so really not sure...

I think you need to send me the knife Joe so I can examine closely - may only take me a few years to make sure !!!

[FRJ]

You know, it's the strangest thing, I can't find your address around here anywhere.
I'll keep looking.