Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

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stumpstalker
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by stumpstalker »

trying to delete a double post
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FRJ
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by FRJ »

Here's two Holleys I got at the NCCA knife show.
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by Duffer »

Joe beautiful Holley folders—nice going ::tu::
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by JohnR »

Thanks to Roger Cunningham picked up a beautiful old Holley single blade sheepsfoot jack. Large knife at 4 1/4", great curved frame with dense deep black ebony covers, nice bar shield. Still has great snap and a lot of blade left, really well done swedge on the blade.
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Dan In MI
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by Dan In MI »

That is an exceptionally beautiful old knife, John. Congratulations!
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FRJ
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by FRJ »

Big beautiful Holley, John.

Love that curved Ebony handle and of course the sheepsfoot. ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by doglegg »

Exceptional knife JohnR.
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Quick Steel
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by Quick Steel »

John, from beauty to history your knife has it all. ::tu::
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by JohnR »

Thank you all for the comments ::tu:: ::tu:: Joe, I love that curve to the handle also, really adds to the knife.
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by Ridgegrass »

I wonder if the simple beauty of the lines in that ebony even occurred to the cutlers who designed and made it? It was a utilitarian item back then and it's function dictated it's form. Can we imagine they ever thought such items would wind up in showcases, commanding prices hundreds of times their original costs?
In today's collector world it seems form is the first consideration, something to catch the "eye" of a buyer, a buyer who likely will rarely or never employ the knife for it's intended function. Sure we use our knives, but its a good guess most knives we use are "EDC's" that don't measure up to showcase standards.
Back to whether the old makers knew they were creating little works of art. By comparison, as a movie fan, I don't think "Gone With The Wind" or "Casablanca" or "The Wizard OF Oz" were filmed with posterity as their main intent. They were just the latest entertainment, to last only until the next sensation came along. Maybe the thousands of knife patterns like the "1123" or the "King of the Woods" or the "72" that we all crave were just accidental and incidental art treasures for later generations.
Just some rambling thoughts brought on by a beautiful, ebony, curved-handled, sheep's-foot "tool" from a bygone era. (Wish it were mine!) J.O'.
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stumpstalker
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by stumpstalker »

Very thoughtful post, Ridgegrass. inspired by that very nice curved jack.

I tend to agree that, as with most collected artifacts today, there was little expectation by the cutlers of the future avidity of collectors, that clubs would form, and big money would eventually be paid for rare or mint examples of vintage knives.

But I do believe that the cutlers did consider aesthetics regarding form, as well as function, even with the most utilitarian of patterns. They certainly were aware of aesthetic appeal in the higher-end, as they were of the market appeal of such embellishments as heraldic shields, grooved bolsters, etched blades, and handle covers made in a multiplicity of materials and colors.

The question would be: does precision, attention to detail, and concern with fit and finish in a workman translate to awareness by him that his product will be overall pleasing to the eye, as well as pass inspection and function properly? I tend to believe it does.
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FRJ
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by FRJ »

Great responses to a very valued and desirable brand.

They knew how to put a beautiful knife together.
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by Ridgegrass »

Stump: agree 100%. Back then everything had a "style". Maybe you know I'm a hawkbill guy. They are probably the most utilitarian of patterns but, as you say, their lines and shapes and extra workings still show attention to detail.
::tu:: J.O'.
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Ridgegrass
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by Ridgegrass »

Here's a "Plain-Jane" pruner. Nothing fancy but fits the hand well. J.O'.
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FRJ
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by FRJ »

That's a great knife that any knifer would live to own. ::tu::
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Re: Holley Mfg. Co., Lakeville, Conn.

Post by Ridgegrass »

thanks. O'.
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