Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

This forum is dedicated to the discussion and display of old knives. The rich history of all the many companies that made them through the early years will be found here as well as many fine examples of the cutlers art. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here!
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LongBlade
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Nice knives Ken and Joe ::tu:: ::tu:: ...

OC - nice job on fixing that tipped master blade ::tu:: ... definitely keeps it as intended 8) ...
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Lee
woodwalker
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by woodwalker »

OLDE CUTLER wrote:
LongBlade wrote:Nice knife and score OC ::tu:: ::tu:: - no way to leave that behind for $2 -I know the feeling :D ... Nice bone - Good for the collection or a sweet EDC by reshaping the master blade into a sheeps foot, maybe a wharncliffe style blade - be a cool carry imho :wink:
I elected to keep it as a pen by bringing the top edge down and the bottom edge up to a new point. It is a neat little knife with an unusual tang stamp that you don't see every day.
IMG_2654.JPG
OC that looks GREAT!! Carry that one with pride!! :)
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FRJ
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by FRJ »

Nice blade repair on that nice little pen knife.
It is back to being a valuable knife again.
Joe
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KAW
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Location: was Ulster Co., NY; now Hanover Co., VA

Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by KAW »

Lotsa activity here!... wanted to follow Joe's lead with the embossed bolster pen knives... but just did have time... and now that was two pages ago! ::facepalm:: Havin' some fun tho glancing at all the fantastic knives being posted... and now I finally can get around to posting some:

a NY Knife Co. 2772...
10956

an old Ulster Knife Co...
10970

another Ulster with faux tortoise shell (so I think...):
10861
'til later....
Ken

10031 means.... never having a dull moment. 8)
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LongBlade
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Here's a very small Empire Sleeveboard pen - only 2 1/2" closed ... MOP with a few flaws but blades are excellent shape and hard snapping (probably the reason for center hairline cracks - What I really thought was cool about this knife was the etch on blade ::nod:: - check the Empire "crown" Brand etch on blade (worn more on Brand side of etch) - it looks to me like part of the "E" in Empire didn't make it onto the blade given the small size of the blade coupled to probably the smallest sized template available for etch - It doesn't seem to have been sharpened out given blade fit etc ::shrug:: ...
Mark Side DSCN8059.JPG
Pile Side DSCN8078.JPG
Blades Open DSCN8088.JPG
Etch and Stamp DSCN8100.JPG
Tang Stamp DSCN8111.JPG
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Lee
Duffer
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by Duffer »

Lee, cool sleeve board shadow pattern pen with wonderful etch!
Lloyd
BWT
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by BWT »

Very nice Lee,good looking knife. That’s a good older maker, I have never found an Empire yet but always looking.
Bill
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FRJ
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by FRJ »

That's a beauty there, Lee.
Those blades look untouched.
Joe
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LongBlade
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks Lloyd, Bill and Joe ::tu:: ::handshake:: ...
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Lee
woodwalker
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by woodwalker »

LongBlade wrote:Here's a very small Empire Sleeveboard pen - only 2 1/2" closed ... MOP with a few flaws but blades are excellent shape and hard snapping (probably the reason for center hairline cracks - What I really thought was cool about this knife was the etch on blade ::nod:: - check the Empire "crown" Brand etch on blade (worn more on Brand side of etch) - it looks to me like part of the "E" in Empire didn't make it onto the blade given the small size of the blade coupled to probably the smallest sized template available for etch - It doesn't seem to have been sharpened out given blade fit etc ::shrug:: ...

Mark Side DSCN8059.JPG

Pile Side DSCN8078.JPG

Blades Open DSCN8088.JPG

Etch and Stamp DSCN8100.JPG

Tang Stamp DSCN8111.JPG
Very nice Lee!! Congratts on a beauty!! :)
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LongBlade
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks WW ::tu:: ::tu:: ...
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Lee
kootenay joe
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by kootenay joe »

KAW, i think your small Ulster pen knife has tortoise shell handles. The celluloid 'stuff' looks brighter.
And BWT: "I have never found an Empire yet but always looking."
i am surprised by this. Empire Winstead knives are seen on ebay fairly regularly. I just mailed off a few yesterday to a friend in USA who will ebay them for me.
kj
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LongBlade
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by LongBlade »

KJ - yes they pop up on eBay on occasion (and in good to bad condition).... but not everybody plays the eBay game to buy knives - some have other options :) ...
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Lee
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KAW
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by KAW »

kootenay joe wrote:KAW, i think your small Ulster pen knife has tortoise shell handles. The celluloid 'stuff' looks brighter.
kj
kj... Wow... that would very cool if true as it would be my first and at present only knife with tortoise shell handles.

Lee... sweeeet lookin' Empire!
My only Empire is an single blade electrican's knife with wood handles... totally at the other end of the spectrum to such a eloquent MoP gentleman's pen.
'til later....
Ken

10031 means.... never having a dull moment. 8)
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FRJ
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by FRJ »

Here's a F Herder & Son(s). Shadow pen.
Apparently the "Keys" stamp was used after 1927.
It has the incredibly advantageous catch bit that allows for the long main blade. A half stop on the pen blade.
Unsharpened and unused at just a smidge under three inches.
One of the cleanest knives I own. I wonder where it's been.
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Joe
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espn77
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by espn77 »

Joe, once again great knife!!!!! And great photography. I have this W.H. MORLEY & SONS GERMANY. It measures 2 15/16. I'm going to call it a serpentine pen ::shrug::
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FRJ
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by FRJ »

Thank you Keith. ::tu::
I think your knife is a serpentine pen too. ::nod:: And a beauty at that.
I always like those Morley knives with the charming little clover stamp.
Yours looks to be in incredible condition. Good show.
Joe
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espn77
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by espn77 »

Thanks Joe.
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LongBlade
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Nice knives Joe and Keith ::tu:: ::tu:: ...

Joe - That is a long master for a pen - somebody must have bought it and forgot it in a drawer :) ...

Keith - I think serpentine pen as well .. pretty cool pattern for a pen knife 8) ...
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Lee
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Tsar Bomba
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by Tsar Bomba »

Just a little stag Case from the big hair era...
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Tony
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LongBlade
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Nice Case in stag Tony ::tu:: ::tu:: ..

Here's an Excelsior Knife Co Swell-Center pen handled in horn (3" closed)... cool little bar shield .. While Excelsior Knife Co (CT) is listed as 1880-1884 the stamp continued until 1904 at the Northfield factory... though I have read in David Anthony's book that Northfield perhaps used Excelsior Cutlery Company from 1884-1890 to make knives... This knife is stamped Excelsior /Knife Co - so I am not sure other than saying Excelsior no doubt was made somewhere in that range ::hmm:: ...
Mark Side DSCN9845.JPG
Pile Side DSCN9854.JPG
Blades Open DSCN9974.JPG
Tang Stamp DSCN9984.JPG
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Lee
Duffer
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by Duffer »

Lee, that is a gem of a Swell Center pen ::tu:: And it is in such outstanding condition especially given its age! What a nice clear tang stamp.
Lloyd
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FRJ
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by FRJ »

Another very fine old knife, Lee. In beautiful condition and as LLoyd says, a very nice stamp.
A very desirable pattern. ::tu::
Joe
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LongBlade
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks Lloyd and Joe ::tu:: ::handshake:: ... the condition was no doubt lightly used - still snaps great with half stops :) ...
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Lee
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smiling-knife
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Re: Homage to Traditional Pen Knives

Post by smiling-knife »

Hi Everyone, I've not been onboard awhile. I really enjoyed catching-up on this pen knife thread. There are loads of beautiful knives shown. This is one of my favourites. A Lockwood Bros Sheffield made circa 1900.
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