Old Miniature Knives

[Miller Bro's]

Is the scabbard all brass?

Yes it is.

I think it had some type of leather frog at one time

[Miller Bro's]

Here are a couple little silver fruit knives!

[toolboy]

2" closed
more novelty than miniature

[knife7knut]

Here's a few more;not exactly miniature but small.
The nail files are all marked USA with sterling covers;the mini spatula is a Miller Brothers.
The 4 blade is a Krusius Brothers Germany.
The group is various makers.

[knife7knut]

Thought I'd throw these in as they are really small versions of larger knives.The only two I have ever come across.I guess you would call them backup diver's knives.

[knife-nut]

I saw this link on another site, and thought you guys would enjoy this. Several miniatures inside handles. http://www.neatorama.com/spotlight/2013 ... ht/#!rKZ62

[knifetime]

KK Coolest knife I have ever saw and it is a beast.

I love em also.Hear are the ones i have pics of.
I would consider the camp set a miniature set.

[treefarmer]

Just now "really" looked at the thing knife-nut posted. I wonder what are the physical dimensions of the knife? And as for the history, etc.. how long did it take to build and is it the work of one person? Can the miniatures actually be removed from the compartments under the handles? One thing is sure, somebody had a lot of time on their hands.
Treefarmer

[knife7knut]

Just now "really" looked at the thing knife-nut posted. I wonder what are the physical dimensions of the knife? And as for the history, etc.. how long did it take to build and is it the work of one person? Can the miniatures actually be removed from the compartments under the handles? One thing is sure, somebody had a lot of time on their hands.
Treefarmer

I wonder as well just how big that knife really is.I count at least twenty backsprings(judging from the fact that there are 21 liners;all file worked)and even assuming that the miniatures are about an inch to two inches long the knife must be huge.

I have seen stories of similar knives being made by other manufacturers and they employed many of their master craftsmen to collaborate on these pieces;doing them when business was slow. The Joseph Rodgers Year Knife if I recall correctly took over two years to make and quite a few workers.I believe the last blade they added to it was in 1922 and it was said that they employed one person just to maintain it.He would open the blades;one at a time and wipe them down and then close them. This procedure took nearly two weeks!
I believe that all of the miniature knives are capable of being removed and function fully.I would love to see this knife in person;does anyone know where it is? Probably a museum somewhere.

[Miller Bro's]

I would love to see this knife in person;does anyone know where it is? Probably a museum somewhere.

Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center.

[RobesonsRme.com]

As to its size:

I took this off another site displaying the same photos. Apparently, the knife is currently on display at The Buffalo Bill Museum in Wyoming.

"According the Smithsonian website the knife - which is 3.5 ins wide and 9 ins long - wasn’t really meant to be carried. It reads: ‘Knives like this were made exclusively for exhibition to highlight the cutlers’ art. They were so difficult to make they were only attempted by the most notable firms with the most talented artisans. They could be seen at various fairs and industrial expositions during the 19th century."

Charlie Noyes

[Shearer]

Received these two in the mail today.
Knife has USA on tang . 3 7/8" long
The hatcket has Imperial prov.USA. 3 1/2" long

[garddogg56]

I have the same Sheerer do you have the sheath?

[Shearer]

I have the same Sheerer do you have the sheath?

No sheaths.
These are the first one's I purchased.I didn't know they made many minitures to I seen them on AAPK.The other members have some very good examples.
Grant

[Mason]

I saw this link on another site, and thought you guys would enjoy this. Several miniatures inside handles. http://www.neatorama.com/spotlight/2013 ... ht/#!rKZ62

Incredible knife!!!
It would be interesting to know who actually made this knife for "John S. Holler" and if they originally commissioned it for the company or a customer?

[RobesonsRme.com]

If you do a Google Image search for "John S. Holler", you'll get multiple site matches with these photos posted. Most of the are similar or identical in their written description, however, I* did read one that stated the knife was built to display in their New York offices.

I suppose that might explain how it ended up at the American History portion of The Smithsonian.

Charlie Noyes

[Miller Bro's]

Another miniature knife..............

[dcgm4]

Nice one, MB! The design has a lot of detail for such a small knife.

[knife7knut]

Another miniature knife..............

Dimitri: Does that knife have any celluloid in it? Looks like the tops of the blades were subjected to cel deterioration. Is it from the 1920's or 30's when Egyptian stuff was so popular?

[Beechtree]

Great collection Dimitri, that IXL is simply amazing! A real gem.
Boy you do have a slew of these don't you K7K, fantastic collection
This Voos U.S.A. measures 1 3/8" and was made in New Haven Connecticut, probably in the 1920-1930s. It has half stops and very nice fit and finish.

[Shearer]

I have these two miniture knives .One belonged to my father the other my father inlaw
They measure 1 7/8" long closed.Made in England.

[Mason]

If you do a Google Image search for "John S. Holler", you'll get multiple site matches with these photos posted. Most of the are similar or identical in their written description, however, I* did read one that stated the knife was built to display in their New York offices.

I suppose that might explain how it ended up at the American History portion of The Smithsonian.

Charlie Noyes

Good information, thanks.

[Mason]

Another miniature knife..............

Very unique.

[Miller Bro's]

Nice one, MB! The design has a lot of detail for such a small knife.

Thanks, it sure does

Does that knife have any celluloid in it? Looks like the tops of the blades were subjected to cel deterioration. Is it from the 1920's or 30's when Egyptian stuff was so popular?

No celluloid in it, the handles are both metal with Vitreous enamel applied to them for the color you see, that is not paint.

Yes, I do believe it is from that time period.

[knife7knut]

Here is one I just got in the mail this afternoon:made by Pro Co. a tiny letter opener sharp on both sides with a small blade in the handle.I have a miniature bowie similarly marked that looks to be identical to the Colonial ones so they may have made it.Eiither them or Providence Cutlery Co.
EDIT: I just looked at the little bowie and it says PRO CUT ;not PRO CO so it is Providence Cutlery.