Elephant Ivory Handles

[Doc B]

Wow...that's a great, old knife, KJ !!!

[doglegg]

What a sweet and lovely old knife Roland.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks for your appreciation. It feels just right in hand, blades open smoothly, no sense of friction and the snaps are crisp with no play or looseness. As is correct for a whittler there is no half stop for the master blade but there is for the secondaries. It works just as precisely as it did when new 140 years ago even though it has had quite a bit of use as is shown by the blades having been re-sharpened many times. The ivory has become orange in color from spending time in people's hands.
I wonder what kind of life it has had ? What kind of work did the owner do that required the use of this knife ? Secondary blades probably cut quills for writing and string for wrapping/unwrapping packages. But what would a long slim master blade be best suited for ? Something indoors rather than outdoor farm type use ?
Both secondaries are tipped so they were used to pry or poke but otherwise the knife has been 'respected' and well cared for.
I get a lot of satisfaction and a good feeling from owning an old knife that was made with care and skill and then used respectfully by it's owner. I think most of us here get similar good feelings when we handle and think about the life experiences of a good old knife.
kj

[Quick Steel]

. As is correct for a whittler there is no half stop for the master blade but there is for the secondaries.

KJ, Would you kindly explain why this is the case?

[doglegg]

Well said Roland. More than one way to read a knife. Thanks for sharing.

[kootenay joe]

. As is correct for a whittler there is no half stop for the master blade but there is for the secondaries.

KJ, Would you kindly explain why this is the case?

I don't know why they are made this way but old Sheffield whittlers 'always' have half stops on the secondaries and 'never' on the master blade. Also true for most vintage German whittlers. I don't think there is a 'structural' reason for it, more like convention.
I'm sure there are exceptions but the majority were made this way. Every Wostenholm or Jos. Rodgers whittler i have had, the secondaries have half stops and master does not.
Do you have any vintage Sheffield whittlers that don't fit this 'rule' ?
kj

[Quick Steel]

No I don't, but thank you for the interesting information.

[jghellum]

What a joy to see this! We just traveled to Sheffield from NY to explore my grandfather's roots, and we had hoped to make it to the antique knife market in search of such a piece. Albert Pilley was my grandfather's grandfather, but they never met--although, now that I think of it, my grandpa was a whittler with many artisanal interests.

By the way, should you make it to Sheffield, Hepworth and Pilley family members are memorialized in the floor tiles of St. Marie's, the R.C. cathedral in the city center. Albert was a renowned illuminator and devotee of John Ruskin, as was his daughter Constance Genevieve.

[FRJ]

What an interesting post.
Welcome here, jghellum and thank you for that contribution.
It is a lovely knife.

[bocaj]

What a great education as I read through the posts. I have been entrusted to care for this nice caramel aged ivory Burkinshaw.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Great post with beautiful knives!!

[tvic]

Very nice, bocaj!

[Ivoryman]

[galvanic1882]

What is the maker of the bottom knife??

[BWT]

What a great education as I read through the posts. I have been entrusted to care for this nice caramel aged ivory Burkinshaw.

Nice bocaj

[BWT]

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Very nice iman I really like the Cattaragus

[Ivoryman]

Thanks BWT and Galvanic. Galvanic it's Cattaraugus Cutlery. Thanks again.

[galvanic1882]

Thanks BWT and Galvanic. Galvanic it's Cattaraugus Cutlery. Thanks again.

Man that is nice!!! Never seen that pattern with those bottom bolsters. If you ever what to let it go give me a shout!!

Mike

[Ivoryman]

Thanks BWT and Galvanic. Galvanic it's Cattaraugus Cutlery. Thanks again.

Man that is nice!!! Never seen that pattern with those bottom bolsters. If you ever what to let it go give me a shout!!

Mike

Thanks for the compliment. I knew when I saw it those bolsters were unique. I wish I could give it to you but I really wanted to give an ivory scaled knife to Q because he got my daughter a Lone Wolf with jade scales and Jade is here name. So it went to a good home on the big Island with Q. Thanks though, I knew it was a sweetie. And it needed to be after that jade Lone Wolf. Maybe he will surprise us with a shot of that knife again in a different pose with his other ivory beauties.

[GSPTOPDOG]

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Sweet Sassy Malassy!! I like 'em all, but the Kane Cut. and the Cattaraugus Cutlery really stand out for me ... Beautiful pieces!!!

[Ivoryman]

Thanks a bunch GSPTD, appreciate it. So glad you like it and it's great when others share your interest in the same stuff. Thanks again.

[Quick Steel]

Each of your posted knives is a beauty Iman. The Cataraugus is quite special.

[Ivoryman]

Appreciate that Quick, thanks for the comments and great day to ya.

[Colonel26]

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Those are outstanding! WOW!

[Ivoryman]

Thanks Colonel, appreciate the comments.