Corn Knives

[tjmurphy]

Can anyone give me a time-line as to when "Corn Knives" were made, especially last years? Thanx

[Froggyedge]

I think I read an article by Bernard Levine years ago about Corn knives, but due to lack of operative brain cells... Sorry...

[deanmm56]

TJ,

I " think " , and I am dangerous when I do that, ... Corn knives were made up thru the 1930, maybe 1940s' .... I've read some articles dating some knives in the early 1900s' but can't put my finger, or toes on them right now. My Granny had a little corn knife ... I remember her sitting on the front porch shaving off dead skin so she could get her Sunday shoes on without them hurting her feet.

[smiling-knife]

Corn knives were made in Sheffield at least as far back as the 1880s...perhaps earlier s-k

[rigwelder]

I think I read somewhere that they were made as early as the early 1800's, maybe late 1700's? Back then alot of people did alot of walking and needed them to groom there feet. Especially soldiers!
But as far as when they basically stopped makeing them,,I agree prob in the 30's or 40's.

And by the way,,those are some nice old corn knives you have there.

[tjmurphy]

Thanks fellers, appreciate the replies. I'll go with 1930's. I did contact S.C. Johnson and ask them what time frame these guys were handed out but am still waiting for reply. When I get an answer from them I will share the info. Thanks again.

[Knife Nut]

Tj, did you ever find a definate answer to the final era of production for the corn knives?
I have a few and was wondering the same thing.

Paul

[tjmurphy]

I'm going to have to go with 1930's as end of their life per postings to this thread and a reply by Bernard Levine. I've still not heard back from SCJ as to when they were passing these things out. If they ever get back to me I'll post.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Nobody at S. C. Johnson that will see your query was at the company when the little corn knives were being given away. They are not going to answer your question.

If you send them a photo of a local landfill, they might come and build a plant there, though.

(That's a joke. I actually applaud their use of methane to power some of their plants. )

Charlie Noyes

[tjmurphy]

Actually SCJ does have an historical library of their advertising items and they did say that they have some pocket knives in it, it's just a matter of time as to when they get back to me. In a company the size of SCJ, my request will probably go down the chain of command until it gets to the person who actually maintains this library. If I don't hear from them next week I will call back. I have the phone number and email for my initial contact. But we'll see.

[Knife Nut]

Good for you, Tj. I like a man that dosen't give up on their research to find answers!

Paul

[tjmurphy]

SC Johnson just called me and said that those are the same knives that they have in their historical archives and that they were handed out as salesman's incentives in 1916. So, there ya go. I would guess that the other knife pictured is from the same era.