Boys Knives Through the Years

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: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks Joe and Roger ::tu:: ::tu:: ....
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Here's an old and rare one for a Boys Knife (maybe I should stick it in the old and rare thread too just based on tang stamp ::hmm:: ).. - The HOME tang stamp was for Holley & Merwin (1st 2 initials of last names) early in the company history before Holley Mfg Co. Though the company started in 1844 the HOME stamp was used either from 1846-1850 according to Goins or 1850-1854 according to Levines - either way early and old... I've only seen 2 others of this Boys Knife in years now and all matches including tang stamp (though one had ebony as handles).. I got lucky with this one and especially the condition of the knife :) ... Knife is 2 3/4" closed and the handles may be cocobolo though I considered a type of walnut as well - not sure ::hmm:: ...
Mark Side SCN7435.JPG
Pile Side DSCN7454.JPG
Blade Open DSCN7502.JPG
Tang Stamp DSCN7537.JPG
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Miller Bro's
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Miller Bro's »

Great find Lee ::tu::
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FRJ
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by FRJ »

WOW!!
Way back in the weeds of Holley knives. It doesn't get much better than that. ::nod::
Congratulations on that very cool knife, Lee. ::tu::
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LongBlade
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks Dimitri and Joe ::tu:: ::handshake:: ...
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by espn77 »

I came across this knife today at our local gun show. I didn't buy it but I thought of Lee.
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LongBlade
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Cool Keith ::tu:: ... actually I posted the same knife on page 2 of this thread :D ... like mine it’s cool that it still has the “ink” on the wooden handle 8) ... I believe these were made by Schrade for Shapleigh...
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

I may have posted this before but I don't remember. My favorite boys knife. Marked on the blade in worn ink is likely the original price of 35 cents.
IMG_3747.JPG
IMG_3744.JPG
-Paul T.

WANTED: Shapleigh Diamond Edge branded Schrades in good condition.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by FRJ »

That is very nice, Paul.
The chain is a real plus. ::tu::
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Tsar Bomba »

Putting aside the Barlow, I seem to have a rather weak collection of what are termed "boy's knives." I'm not even sure that a couple of the ones I have even qualify as such. Here's the (very) short list...
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GEC #14 2018 AAPK forum knife
GEC #14 2018 AAPK forum knife
GEC #25 EO jack (do sheepsfoot/EO qualify for "boy's knife?)
GEC #25 EO jack (do sheepsfoot/EO qualify for "boy's knife?)
Case USA-era 62024 1/2, Voos barehead jack (3 3/8" too long?)
Case USA-era 62024 1/2, Voos barehead jack (3 3/8" too long?)
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LongBlade
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Love that old Schrade Paul ::tu:: ::tu:: ...

Tony - All NICE Boys Knives IMO ::tu:: ::tu:: ..,
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by peanut740 »

That's a dandy Paul! ::tu::
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

Thanks guys, that schrade is one of the gems of my collection.
-Paul T.

WANTED: Shapleigh Diamond Edge branded Schrades in good condition.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by KAW »

Haven't kept up with this thread for a while... but just got an addition that by reading about discovered belongs here...
altho there appears to be plenty of Holleys shown here in better shape (really like the Holley & Merwin Lee)...
I thought I'd post this on for prosperity's sake...
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Definitely belongs here Ken ::tu:: ::tu:: ... and thanks regarding the Holley & Merwin ::handshake:: ...
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Finally took some photos of this one for this thread to share…

An unusual and rare to find Boys Knife were those designed as blunt safety knives .. This knife along with Joe's (FRJ) blunt safety knife from Northfield were together in one photo in the boys knife article a few years ago.. I am also posting a catalog cut at the end of the photos that Neal (Mason) kindly shared for a similar boys knife safety blade printed in 1900 though I am not sure of the company….

T Smith & Co / Cast Steel was a Sheffield firm and though Goins lists T Smith & Co from 1797-1800 but I think that may be incorrect. I’m guessing this knife was mid to later 1800s. Tweedale had a T Smith but he was only noted as a razor maker in the mid 19th century.

Knife is 2 & 7/8” with cocobolo handles, iron liners and threaded bolster. Though the end was blunted the knife was no doubt sharpened… Joe has a Northfield of the same exact safety design - size, blade shape, cocobolo wood etc ::nod:: I believe both of these knives were in the collection of Tom Heitzman at one time.
Mark Side DSCN0289.JPG
Pile Side DSCN0313.JPG
Blade Open DSCN0373.JPG
Tang Stamp DSCN0407.JPG
1900 Boys Knife catalog cut with rounded blade option
Blunt Safety Blade Cat Cut  1900.jpg
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by JohnR »

Very nice Lee, I don't think I've ever seen the blunt ones.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks John ::tu:: ::handshake:: ... Other than my knife and Joe's example I have never seen others ... I have seen boys knives where the tips were sharpened purposely to round them or they had been tipped :lol: ...
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by danno50 »

Nice knife, Lee, very interesting boy's knife! ::tu:: Interesting description on the catalog cut: MADE OF GOOD MATERIAL, BUT NOT HAND FORGED".
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by FRJ »

Great pictures of a very nice knife in great condition, Lee. ::tu::
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks Dan and Joe ::tu:: ::handshake:: ... Joe - you have pictures of your Northfield?? I could post the photo of both together as well :)

Dan - The description is quite amusing - guess given the year 1900 perhaps not hand forged meant drop forging ::shrug:: (which was developed long before) - interestingly I learned when researching the PKBG&F Union that starting around 1900 companies began using drop forging for many reasons but one was to threaten the cutlers from striking - the management thought as more automated tools were available they should institute them in-house to show the cutlers (forgers) they were replaceable.... There was indeed alot of push and shove between management and employees in that time period of the cutlery industry ..
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by FRJ »

Check your e-mail, Lee.
I sent you some pictures of my Northfield if you want to use them.

There is a picture on page one.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks Joe ::tu:: ...

Here’s the Northfield Boys Knife with blunt safety blade from Joe - a really nice knife and indeed rare :D ..
08892A9D-E654-41B0-96B6-4B56326C871A.jpeg
F6571A4A-C33D-44B1-AA84-19ACC7D93582.jpeg
B03E28C4-14F8-492F-A889-BEBDDB20EEB6.jpeg
878BAC05-1579-44CE-A8FC-6AB35D3984F5.jpeg
39382750-38F7-46D8-8F3C-1B5D964D3652.jpeg
And here’s the photo of both our knives from the article:
571ADDB3-1535-4879-9B6C-78020183D7DD.jpeg
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

My first knife as a boy was not nearly as good as these, but the tips were rounded...by my dad with a grinder.
-Paul T.

WANTED: Shapleigh Diamond Edge branded Schrades in good condition.
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LongBlade
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

KnifeSlinger#81 wrote:My first knife as a boy was not nearly as good as these, but the tips were rounded...by my dad with a grinder.
Thanks Paul ::tu:: ::handshake:: ..

Too funny ::tu:: ... I see those knives pretty often with the grinder fixing that pointed end :lol: ...
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