Old knives with tipped bolsters

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: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by LongBlade »

KJ - Great group of tip bolstered knives - love the variety of makers from 2-4 blades ::tu:: ::tu:: ....
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JAMESC41001
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by JAMESC41001 »

Roland, all very nice knives. I like the nail nick in the Swedge on the Vom Cleff. I notice the plunges for the Swedge on the main are not symmetrical. Do you think this was on purpose or to accommodate the secondary? Thanks for all the background info this is a real education as I have little to no knowledge about German knives.
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by kootenay joe »

I think the slight difference in plunge line side to side was seen as acceptable for hand work. Manufacturers were making knives with the intention of them being used. Attention was paid to function as well as overall appearance. It is only we fussy collector types who even notice minor variations and think of them as imperfections. Likely if you had 5 examples of this knife some would have 'balanced' plunge lines but i think a purchaser in 1920 would look at that and not be concerned. If a blade had a nick hard to access or blades that rubbed, these i think are things that mattered to the buyers of the day.
Also, the picture is much bigger than the knife so any 'imperfections' are exaggerated a few fold.
A helpful way to examine a knife is to take good pictures and enlarge them.
kj
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by kootenay joe »

Quote "Trust me"
thanks for the help D.
kj
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by JAMESC41001 »

Actually Roland I like seeing the cutlers hands on the knife. Some people don’t. I’ve made a few knives. Mostly fixed blades. I like having things made by hand. To me that knife is better for it. Thanks for posting it and all the others.
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by kootenay joe »

Thank you James. Being able to show my knives here to other collectors who can appreciate them is a big part of what makes knife collecting such a rewarding hobby. I am having far more fun now than in the pre internet days when i only had myself to show my knives to.
kj
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by luckydog64 »

That was a nice show Roland. I would like to see what else the tip jar holds. Here are some of mine. A Winchester, a Remington, and a Robeson.
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DSCN5211.JPG
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by espn77 »

That Remington sure is nice ::tu::
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LongBlade
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by LongBlade »

All 3 of those are beauties LD64 ::tu:: ::tu:: ... the bone is awesome on all!!
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by 1fartsmella »

Great tip bolster show. This is a group of New York Knife Co. with tip bolsters. They all have the Hammer Brand stamp on the master blade.
There are 3 whittlers, a 4 blade congress, a 4 blade senator and a lobster.
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NYK TIPS MAST TGHT.jpg
Barry
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by kootenay joe »

Wow ! nice knives Barry. I bet they are also in top condition. NYK Co. makes these top end collectibles.
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by JAMESC41001 »

Impressive group of knives there Barry!
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by 1fartsmella »

Thanks guys. While trying to scan these knives, I discovered something unusual. When I tried to place them on the glass for these pictures, the 4 blade senator (3rd from the bottom) would not stay still. Every time it got close to another knife, it would move. It turns out the master blade is magnetized.
None of the others are, just the master blade of the one knife is. It is strong enough to pull in a paper clip from about 1/8" away.
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NYK TIPS OPN.jpg
Barry
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by Duffer »

Barry, wonderful NYK tip bolster folders ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by zp4ja »

More great examples being posted. too many to single out as I am far behind on this thread. Regardless, all beauties being shown in a wide variety of makers, handles, etc. Thanks for sharing.

As I stated previous in this thread, a knife with tipped bolsters is just a classy look in my opinion. More handle, less bolster but the tipped bolster provides an additional "classy look" over a barehead or full capped bolster knife. Just my opinion.

I have a couple to add to this thread...

CASE XX era 5260 in Red Stag. I grade this knife as uncleaned mint with true Red Stag handles. A few pics in different lighting.

CASE BRADFORD PA. Uncleaned near mint with some crazy smoked pearl. Never have observed this color of pearl on a CASE knife. That said, in hand I see no evidence that the knife has ever been apart. Regardless, a pretty knife in my opinion.

Jerry
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Red Stag 5260_mark side blades open.jpg
Red Stag 5260_pile side blades open.jpg
Red Stag 5260_mark side closed.jpg
Red Stag 5260_pile side closed.jpg
CASE Bradford PA_ 8261_mark side blades open.jpg
CASE Bradford PA_ 8261_pile side blades open.jpg
CASE Bradford PA_ 8261_comparison to USA models stamps.jpg
CASE Bradford PA_ 8261_comparison to USA models.jpg
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by JAMESC41001 »

Jerry, classy is the appropriate word for those knives. Very nice.
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by peanut740 »

Excellent additions Barry and Jerry! ::tu::
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by espn77 »

Very nice knives Jerry. Sure like that red stag. ::tu::
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zp4ja
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by zp4ja »

Thanks for the compliments Gents.

Thanks for allowing me to contribute and share with all the other fine knives in this thread.

Regards, Jerry
That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who leaves the world better than he found it; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in other's and gave the best he had.
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KAW
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by KAW »

Really cool knife show Roland, luckdog, Barry & Jerry... :D ::tu:: 8)
... altho Barry those NY Knife Co. are right up my alley... ::groove::

Here's one I just received in the mail yesterday with very pointed tips... :D
a Schrade Walden №865 Sunfish Lobster which I narrowed down to between 1948−58. I including the 1954 catalog cut.
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LongBlade
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by LongBlade »

Nice lobster pattern Ken ::tu:: ... you reminded me I may have a few others to post but have this one I came across today -

Another Griffon Bridgeport CT with the Griffon on pile side stamp -3" closed... 4 blade senator in very "crisp" condition other than a few age spots - if I'm not mistaken the blades look to still have a factory edge and tang stamps have very little wear... Long pulls on all 4 blades :) ..
Mark Side DSCN8125 - Version 2.JPG
Pile Side DSCN8246.JPG
Blades Open DSCN8159.JPG
Tang Stamp DSCN8171.JPG
Griffon Stamp DSCN8184.JPG
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peanut740
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by peanut740 »

Cool knife Lee,love the designs of the stamps. ::tu::
Roger
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by FRJ »

Sweet knife, Lee. It's got everything going for it. ::tu::
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LongBlade
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks Roger and Joe ::tu:: ::handshake:: ...
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Lee
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Re: Old knives with tipped bolsters

Post by Duffer »

Lee, gorgeous senator!

Here are four of mine. From top Robeson pen, NYKC split spring Whittler pattern, Winchester Serpentine lobster style two blade candle end and a Robeson split spring Perma Lube Whittler pattern.
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