Waterville Cutlery Co.

[dhillbilly]

FRJ,
You got a nice knife. I saw this on Ebay and posted about it. I was really curious about the tang stamp. Your picture is alot clearer than the Ebay pic. Looks like a new variation. Does the small long pull blade have the same stamp? Do you mind if I steal the tang stamp pic for my Waterville Mfg history post? One of a kind find, Congrats!

[FRJ]

Thank you, dhillbilly.
Please feel free to use the picture of the stamp. I don't mind at all.
Where are you posting Waterville Mfg. history?
Here are pictures of the other tang stamps from that knife.
These stamps are confusing to me as the stamp from the blade with the nail nick has "BRITAIN" on it as in New Britain, Conn. Among other letters that I don't understand.
The tang stamp from the small blade with the long pull is unclear to me.
Use these pictures too if they will help.

[dhillbilly]

Thanks FRJ. My post is at Knife Lore "Waterville Manufacturing / Waterville Cutlery Info". I think the small long pull blade tang stamp looks like the main blade. Waterbury is mostly worn off. I don't know whose tang stamp is on the other small blade. Must have been a replacement with a little custom fitting. Thanks for posting more pics. I was really curious about the small blades. Maybe someone on here will recognize the partial stamp.

[dhillbilly]

The small blade stamp might be H & B for Humason & Beckley (1852-1916). Here's a pic of their stamp. See what you think.

[FRJ]

I think that that's exactly what it is.
Oddly enough, I don't think it's a replacement, especially with early manufacturing ways.
Lots of transient workers and contract work.
I could certainly be wrong.

[dhillbilly]

You may be on to something. When Waterville Mfg went bankrupt in 1855 (one of several times), B.H. Morse took over the knife factory and did contract work. Might explain the different font and the small blade. Makes for a very unique knife.

[FRJ]

I did get a better picture of the stamp on the small blade with the long pull.
I believe it's a Waterville stamp.

[dhillbilly]

I did get a better picture of the stamp on the small blade with the long pull.
I believe it's a Waterville stamp.

Yep, definitely

[LongBlade]

Finally found a Waterville Cutlery Co knife – I think one nice addition to the focus of my collection and real happy with it to say the least… I believe it is referred to as a Swell Center Half Whittler (maybe a hefty Pen knife or a Double-ended Jack given its size)… 3 5/8”, blades are near full, tight (pen is almost abit too tight and wonder if it was given the old vise tightening at one time… just not sure but nonetheless put some oil in the joint which is what it may need) and great snap to the blades like a bear trap (except for opening of pen blade which snaps but needs abit of a nudge – again hope the oil helps now). The master blade is a monster with a match strike long pull – with 2 sided swedge like a “stabber” pattern blade. One thing I learned quickly is that I need to be careful closing the pen blade and making sure master blade is nudged out of the way – I hit the master in the tip section when I grabbed the knife trying to close the pen blade when I received it but thank goodness did no damage!! No center liner between blades on pen side which would have been my only suggestion for this knife if I had input into its design – that would have prevented the scenario described above when closing pen with the master in the closed psoition . My research has indicated it is not uncommon for there not to be a short center liner between the tip of the master and pen blade tang on other knives of this style including some Case Half Whittlers. Tang stamp is one that has been identified on other Watervilles and is the same on both blades. Bolsters were previously cleaned as one can see from photos (I rather find “as found” knives but no sign whatsoever that it has ever been re-pinned – flush as can be). Brass liners and a nice heavy duty spring. Nice bar shield as well which mirrors swell center. Knife just feels good in the hand and I am posting photos of different aspects. Overall love the knife !!

[FRJ]

What a beautiful knife that is!
Another fine example of early Connecticut cutlery.
The brass spacer, or catch bit as Steve Pfeiffer calls it, at the pen blade should allow the blade to come down without interfering with the spear. The catch bit also gives all that extra room for that huge spear blade.
And that pattern at 3 5/8", what's not to like.
Very nice knife, Lee.

[daddynewton]

I really like the swedges on that knife LongBlade. You really did find a beautiful knife. Sounds like the pen blade needs a little crinking by a knife mechanic. I have tried crinking on some less valuable knives and would not attempt it with that knife. I would be sick if I broke the blade. Nice score.

[carrmillus]

.......that's a beauty!!!!!........... ............

[dirtyfonzie]

beautiful knife longblade. that is a big ol' hoss of a main blade!

[LongBlade]

Waterville Swell Center Pen - Ivory - 3 1/2" (stamp is Waterville arched over Co.) - Fancy groved balloon bolsters

Cheers
Lee

[danno50]

Beautiful knives posted recently by Joe and Lee, I especially like the ebony swell center posted by Lee!
Dan

[FRJ]

Me too!

Thank you, Dan.

[LongBlade]

Thanks fellas .....

[stockman]

Two really nice knives!!!!

Harold

[LongBlade]

Thank you Harold!!

[FRJ]

Here is a nice little Waterville folder I got at the flea market today. 3" closed.
It pairs nicely with a little Congress Whittler I have posted on page three in this sub forum. 2 3/4" closed.
Both skinned in the long tooth.
Thanks for looking.

[BWT]

Great find Joe

[FRJ]

Thank you, Bill.

[wlf]

Nice find Joe

[FRJ]

Thank you, Lyle.

[KAW]

Hey there, Joe... First time visiting the board since moving to Virginia a couple years back. Glad to see you are still posting cool looking knives. That quill knife certainly complements your Congress Whittler. Would display nicely together.

Unfortunately for me, even tho I've been looking... it's been a bit of a dry spell in finding any prizes since moving here, so haven't posted nor even jumped on the board in quite a while.