Ettrick Knife

[BWT]

Thanks to AAPK now I know what this knife is called. Johnson Western Works Sheffield, picked up a month or so ago.

[FRJ]

Nice knife, Bill. Love the return on that spring.

I have a Johnson Western Works too.

[BWT]

That's very nice Joe. Love that old stag and a lambsfoot to boot Mine has England on the blade so I guess it's after 1890. Thanks for sharing that one. I found a lambsfoot Wade Wingfield Rowbothan the other day with the stag but couldn't get it that day but he is going to hold it for me!!!

[FRJ]

I would love to see pictures of that knife, Bill. And of course the stamp.

[kootenay joe]

BWT, the hafting on your Ettrick looks like how the German cutlers haft with the bone ends being higher than the bolster. I don't think i have seen a British made knife with proud handle slabs.
There was a time period in early 1900's when some Sheffield cutlery manufacturers contracted out to Solingen manufacturers. These knives are never marked with anything other than the Sheffield company's name.
I wonder if this Ettrick is one of the German made Sheffield knives ?
kj

[BWT]

I have no idea Roland, it's as I found it except a drop of oil on the tang and spring. Tang stamp reads Sheffield, England. Thanks for the info.

[BWT]

I would love to see pictures of that knife, Bill. And of course the stamp.

I will get it eventually Joe and post, probably will be next month due to budgetary concerns.

[FRJ]

[kootenay joe]

"I have no idea Roland"
Really i don't either. It would be helpful if an experienced Sheffield collector would comment on the knife:
- is the step-up from bolster surface to top of bone actually rare on British knives as i suggest ?
- what is the likely age of this knife ?
- what time period did the Sheffield contracting out to Germany happen ?
- is it known if Johnson Western Works was one of the companies that contracted out to German cutlery companies ?

if these could be answered then the exact origin of your knife could likely be figured out.
kj