Boys Knives Through the Years

[Corso]

Since Joe got the thread rolling again ...

Thomas Fenton - Originally when I got this boys knife the only connection I found was a Thomas Fenton who was part of Joseph Fenton & Sons Sheffield - It was written in Tweedale that Thomas rejuvenated the company after Joseph, the father, passed away in 1886. I believe it is Sheffield (or possibly a suburb of Sheffield) now based on a discussion that lead to the opportunity to pick up a cutlery box from that company... Thomas Fenton is still abit of a mystery to me as he is not noted in Goins, Tweedale or the London knife book and note Sheffield was not on the tang stamp - possibly he was from outside Sheffield, perhaps a suburb - I had read many cutlers also existed outside Sheffield and perhaps not related to Joseph Fenton & Sons at all... In truth this is the only Thomas Fenton knife I have seen... interestingly Dimitri posted a box from Thomas Fenton long ago with a slightly different label - so I've seen 2 boxes but only 1 knife .. I would date the company late 1800s and perhaps early 1900s... The knife has cocobolo handles, single blade - classic size at 2 3/4"... The box is the perfect size for this knife at 3" and I can imagine a dozen fitting nicely in it ... I showed this knife along with an IXL in the Boys Knife article but never showed it here after I checked - and no better time to share it now with the box .... Cheers!

Mark Side DSCN1191.JPG

Blade Open w Box DSCN1176.JPG

Tang Stamp DSCN1147.JPG

Realy liking this thread thanks for the intro to it

This one in particular stands out - not a name I had heard of before but one i'll keep an eye out for in my searches

[FRJ]

Here's one like yours Corso. Yours is a beauty.
Mine is 2 3/4" closed.

[espn77]

I like your knife Joe

[FRJ]

Thank you, Keith.

I forgot to mention it is smooth bone.

[Corso]

great handle shape and scales on that one

[Waukonda]

Corso and Joe, those Rodgers are beauties!

[LongBlade]

Nice knife with smooth bone and cool bolsters Joe ...

[LongBlade]

Nice Rodgers addition Lee .. looks to be in great shape and rat tail bolsters are really cool .. are the handles French ivory celluloid or natural?

I believe it is ivorine possibly casein

I have a second in the same scale but its not a barehead I'll show it if allowed

I never replied here but was away and wasn't able to get on for 4 or 5 days now with the system update here ..

Most boys knives are bareheaded jacks but there are no doubt examples of boys knives that also had a rear bolster but mostly tip bolsters... There are catalog cuts advertising boys knives in the late 1800s and early 1900s where there are examples with bolsters - so bottom line you can post any knife here if it fits the size - no doubt bareheads are pretty clear and than it becomes fuzzy sometimes on small regular jacks with a rear bolster. Interestingly most boys knives are metal, wood or bone but there were a few rare and also fancy examples sporting ivory ...

[danno50]

Great knife, Joe, I really like that one!

[FRJ]

Thanks so much for the comments on my knife, guys.
It sure is - Joseph Rodgers - well made.

[Corso]

With Lee's most recent explination - and it now seems the one I didn't read on the first page

I find that although I don't have many folders (I can hold them all in one hand) almost all the ones I do have fit the bill perfectly

my other Rodgers and sons - 3.25" closed black synthetic scales

I*XL again 3.25" closed wood scales

my little EDC a 3" closed C Johnson Western Works 2 blade double bolsters wood scales easy open jack knife

and again with the old Rodgers and my only other folder a Camillus peanut for size comparison

[LongBlade]

Nice group of knives and additions Corso ...

[FRJ]

That's a great group of very desirable pocket knives, Corso.
Might not be very many but they are dandys.

[Corso]

Thanks

I'm currently on the hunt for an I*XL example thats fits with the 3" group and I'd love a USA made one in either size but they are like hens teeth over here

If I were into sleeveboards or pens I'd be swamped but for somn reason jack knives arn't about

[FRJ]

Here's a nice little Russell I got last Nov. 3. NCCA show. 3 inches.

[Corso]

Hopefully this one will hit the doormat some time next week

[LongBlade]

Here's a nice little Russell I got last Nov. 3. NCCA show. 3 inches.

Sweet Boys Knife Joe ...

Hopefully this one will hit the doormat some time next week

icm_fullxfull.224090148_m0qhmv9fyhw4w4skg4wc.jpg

That Rodgers is in excellent condition Corso - quite nice ...

[FRJ]

Thanks Lee.

[Corso]

I hope so - I should get it in a couple of days

[JohnR]

Schrade Cut Co with a bail and one without.

[Corso]

Nice pair what size are they?

[JohnR]

Nice pair what size are they?

Thanks, just under 3 3/8".

[Corso]

pretty close to perfect size then

[peanut740]

John

[FRJ]

John,I don't know how you can hit two home runs at once but I think you've done it.
Great show. Beautiful knives.