Farmer's Jacks

[upnorth]

Nice "Honk" Mike! Great way to bring this thread back to life. Some great examples on here.
I especially like Steve's Saynor!
Here's a Schrade Cut Co to add to the list.

[dragon25]

After looking at Mike's Honk Falls knife I'm glad to found this thread as I have a very unusual and very rare "Press Button Knife Co". of Walden NY 3 11/16" "Mechanic Jack" . Supposedly these knives were only known to be offered in seven blade combos . What makes this one so odd is the blade combination and this not being one the 7 offered.. This ones has a very odd primary blade and has the correct half-polished blades . So the blade finishes are correct to each side with one side only having a "crocus" finish. The grind lines are perfect and I can see no signs of the blade never being reground or changed . I think this one might be safe to also be called a "Farmers Jack" and perhaps the only known fully automatic opening one at that . Enjoy

P.S what grind would one call the Primary blade(left side) ? would it be a Sheepfoot or Tobacco blade or a wharncliffe blade as this one kinda looks like a cross between the two . I think part its Belly shape is due to it needing room to help clear the spring when closing

[Miller Bro's]

Let`s see a picture with the blades closed looking straight down

[dragon25]

Like this ? I had a snap a quick picture so there is some Renaissance wax present

[Miller Bro's]

To me it looks like the master blade is short, now that I can see straight down.

The master blade is typically longer than the secondary blade on most knives, there are a few exceptions.

Measure the two blade lengths .

[ozzie marie]

dragon,

The book I have says that your 3 11/16" model #115 Mechanic's Jack should be 7 7/8" with both blades open. This should tell you if one of the blades is short. Also it says that the blades are a clip and spey.

That is one Outstanding knife you have there

Keith

[dragon25]

dragon,

The book I have says that your 3 11/16" model #115 Mechanic's Jack should be 7 7/8" with both blades open. This should tell you if one of the blades is short. Also it says that the blades are a clip and spey.

That is one Outstanding knife you have there

Keith

If you read it also says that there are 7 blade combinations (see pics below) So they are not all 7 7/8" open .I hope to perhaps have a example of each blade combo but that could take a lifetime of collecting and never bee completed .I do however think I have a example of each of the different style of "pick bone " scales used. Many people do not relize that PBKC used several style's of pick bone and finally onto "jigged bone towards the end. I'm very lucky to have found they 4 with each being different. The pictures are from a PBKC factory catalog that most have never seen .I put some pictures of another example that shows a correct spey blade on it. It also has a Spear blade as its primary blade. The Example with safeties has a punch blade and clip blade .Look at Richard Langston's book he also has a Clip -Punch example in it . If you notice that the Honks Falls blade is very short for its frame also. I figure this to be a specialty blade and does not need to be a long blade but perhaps thick.. I was told that the Press Button Knife Co. would make special order knives in very low numbers and that George Schrade was also known to make special order knives if someone ordered and that he would even make a small custom order of even one knife . Its very possible that they used a standard clip blade and modified from the factory . In fact the Pat punch blade that was offered on the M.Jacks is not standard it is actually modified to be able to work on the M Jacks .It was also made by "Empire".
I also own the only known example of M.Jack(so far) with safeties and you will not find that example in Mark's book. I talk to Mark often and have sold him several examples of knives that will be used in his next book.

If the blade has been made from a clip I give a big Kudos to who ever was able to keep perfect grind lines and keep both finishes exactly correct to each side of the blades as I had mentioned that these knives have "Half polished " finishes and only one side is a Crocus finish. (see picture that list "half-polished ) . I am open minded and have compared it to many examples so there's always a chance that it could even been a factory second. Regardless its a extremely rare knife to find in this condition and I feel very lucky to ad it to my others.

From my understanding these were a very favorite knife with farmers and from the advertisements I have seen and own they were marketed to people of that profession. I could see a demand for this model having a tobacco blade.

[wlf]

Some I have

[wlf]

Some more

[1967redrider]

Cool pattern and sweet knives.

[thegreedygulo]

NICE ones Lyle! I particularly like the Lockwood Bros.

[wlf]

Here's one for you.

Maybe it's a Farmers Moose It's 4 1/4",big fellow. Not a good picture,it was almost dark.

Another couple. Now ,if only I had a decent Boker

[singin46]

Man, I dig that D&E Jack! She's a beauty!!

[wlf]

The last two courtesy of Mr. Rigwelder. He has some nice knives. AAA Vintage Knives

Thank you sir

[singin46]

Very cool Lyle! Thanks

Perry

[wlf]

Is this knife pre 1890 or was it made for sale in England,not to export???? No country of origin.

Any experts?? or guesses

[wlf]

My latest.I was told this may be pre WWI,any experts??

If you look closely you can see that the rat tails are done by hand,as maybe a lot of the other parts.

[singin46]

I think this whole knife was done by hand, what a beauty!

[wlf]

Thanks ,Perry I have a couple more coming next week,I hope.

Stay tuned

[wlf]

NICE ones Lyle! I particularly like the Lockwood Bros.

I would give it and $100 for any of yours,or just cash.

I need a Boker

[wlf]

The infamous ULSTER NKIFE

[Beechtree]

Neat one wlf, thanks for sharing it. That's one pretty knife.

[wlf]

My Christmas present to myself from a fine gentleman that raises cattle and builds barns.

The IXL does not have the star between the I and X.I know some of the very old knives had this stamp,But I don't think this knife is that old.I can't tell the Wostenholm dating,but this is a very nice knife.

It looks as if the whole knife was hand made,blades also,but I really don't know.It would be mint except for a few fly specs here and there.The bone jigging still has a bite when you run your finger over it.

[Miller Bro's]

Lyle, you have a nice collection of these

One of my favorite old knife patterns, they are hard to find too

I use to collect these but have not found a good one in many years

[wlf]

Thank you MB. I like nice ones(like the IXL) ,but as you see, I am not afraid of a NKIFE with a little "character"