Waterville Manufacturing / Waterville Cutlery Info

[galvanic1882]

That is one cool knife, love how thick it is and the little pouch tops it off.

I really miss the shows back east!

[LongBlade]

That is one cool knife, love how thick it is and the little pouch tops it off.

I really miss the shows back east!

Thanks Mike ...

You should come back and visit with us for the Mystic Show ...

[JAMESC41001]

Lee, how did you know that was the knife I most wanted to see. Is it possible the aluminum bolsters were stamped or pressed with a die?? This was around the time the old world Sheffield cutlers we’re paired up with new world production techniques. Interesting time I think. Great little knife. Took some skill to make those scissors as well. Very cool

[LongBlade]

Thanks Jay ... That small one did have eye-catching appeal .. I think you are right that that the aluminum engraving was done with a press and die - and though they had separate dies for whole handles and bolsters the engraving pattern matches in the great majority I have seen - question remains whether they did them in-house or contracted them - or maybe both .. Given that aluminum was more precious than gold or silver is the background for why jewelers may have done the work - as in sterling handles...

[FRJ]

Great knives Bill and Lee.

Lee, that little manicure pearl has every thing going for it. Great find.

[BWT]

Thanks Joe

[LongBlade]

Thanks Joe ...

[LongBlade]

This Waterville is a 3 blade Senator - 3 & 3/8" closed. A double spring with the master blade on one side and the pen and manicure blade on opposing ends of the other backspring. I have an aluminum 3 blade Senator made by Waterville as well but this one in MOP rivals the size of a jack knife in terms of overall girth and length of the knife - no doubt this master blade would be the same size as that in a similar sized jack knife. This knife is in very lightly used condition, blades do not appear to have ever been sharpened and MOP in great shape. Knife was no doubt handled and some tarnish/age spots are apparent on the blades - still some polish seen in handle well too. The etch is in good shape but the part of the blade which was handled more often over the last 100 years or so lightened the first few letters abit. The etch from the lighting was not apparent with all blades open so added a closeup of master blade etch. The blade etch (F. J Buchanan) is not a company. I searched "FJ Buchanan and Waterbury" which is where Waterville was located. Interestingly there was a dentist by the name of FJ Buchanan in 1903 who lived in Waterbury according to archived records. Perhaps this was the original owner of the knife and being from Waterbury had Waterville Cut Co produce a personalized etch on the master blade for him - there was no shield on this knife.. anyway just a guess but a definite possibility. Thanks for looking - more to come as I get time...

[FRJ]

a beautiful pearl Waterville, Lee, with a very obvious etch. Nice catch!

[Waukonda]

That is an impressive knife Lee, as was the Cattleman's posted earlier. Impressive also, was the piecing together of the possible history of the knife.

[LongBlade]

Thanks very much Joe and Ike ...

[danno50]

Great knives, Barry, Joe, Bill and Lee! The NCCA show was very good for you Lee! The pearl with the engraved aluminum bolsters and curved scissors is especially nice. I like the wiggle shields on some of the Watervilles.
About 10 years ago, at a gun show here at home, there was a fellow with a box of $5 old knives. I passed on a Waterville whittler because I thought the two line hyphenated stamp looked wonky. I then paid $10 for a plastic handled Klein electrician's knife. STOOPID, eh!

[LongBlade]

Thanks Dan ... It was the selection st this show which was way above the normal show offerings... one could only wish it would happen more often... one of those “Am I dreaming? shows”

Dan - I think we all have had those “regret” moments at one time or another ... but as somebody once told me another taxi will come along ...

[BWT]

Beautiful knife Lee thanks for sharing.

[LongBlade]

Thanks Bill ...

[LongBlade]

Another Waterville...

This is a 3 & 1/4" sleeveboard with jigged bone. Cracking snap on both blades - the master has no half stop but the pen blade does have one.. Interesting to me that among my Watervilles there are no doubt some differences in the jigging and bone.. I have one other serpentine or reverse peanut jack with similar dark jigged bone but others are no doubt different - such as my wharncliffes I will post soon. I'm guessing it depended upon the time period and source for the bone. To my eye this jigging pattern reminds me of some Challenge Cut Co bone knives in the symmetry of the jigging... Thanks for looking!

[Waukonda]

That is one great looking knife!

[woodwalker]

Very nice Lee!!

[LongBlade]

Thanks Ike and WW ...

[danno50]

Another beauty, Lee!

[FRJ]

What a great looking handsome knife that is, Lee.

[LongBlade]

Thanks Dan and Joe ...

[FRJ]

Here's a nice little pen. 3" closed.
I see these long squared bolsters on a few of these knives from Waterville and Southington.

Thanks for looking.

[garddogg56]

Now thats a sunday go to meeting knife Joe

[FRJ]

Yes Sir, it is.

They quit making these Watervilles in 1913.