Jos Rodgers Equal End Whittler 1860

[kootenay joe]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-1850s-6 ... 1438.l2649

The above link is to a 3 1/4" Jos Rodgers Her Majesty slim Equal End Whittler that looks to be in mint condition.
Likely this is an authentic all original knife but i am interested in the opinions of our members here.
For example, does the font in the markings look modern to you ? ( i have very little font knowledge)
Do you see anything that arouses suspicions ?
thanks, looking forward to some interesting discussion,
kj

[KnifeSlinger#81]

I know very little about j rodgers, though it does have the asterisk and cross which I believe is one of the ways to tell its real? One of those smaller pen blades looks really funky though.

[gsmith7158]

Kj I know very little about the English makers but that is a spectacular knife whether new or old. The tortoise she'll looks legit but it's always hard to tell about that. I will be interested to hear what an expert has to say.

[msteele6]

Not an expert on English cutlery but a couple of points. First, the quality looks first rate. Of course, without the knife in hand, it's a little difficult to accurately gauge, however, the fit and finish look to be first rate. Secondly, the "Cutlers to Her" indicates that the knife was made during the Victorian era, 1837-1901, which would make it nineteenth century. Thirdly, the font doesn't look particularly modern to me, it's a serif font, which to me makes it appropriate for the time period.

Like I said, certainly not an expert, but hopefully someone with expertise will chime in.

JMO

[knife7knut]

Looks legitimate to me. The stamp is consistent with the Joseph Rodgers knives I own. Not sure if it is genuine tortoise shell or clear horn that has been discolored to look like tortoise;would have to see a good closeup pf the handles. The extra long master blade seemed to be a popular one for the Victorian era;I believe it was designed to clean out pipe stems after the tip was removed. I have a couple of pipe smoker's knives that feature similar blades.
Whatever the case it is one beautiful little knife and worthy of any collection!

[gsmith7158]

Well, with that endorsement from Ray,you gonna plunk down $995 and get it Kj?

[kootenay joe]

No, but i would go $500.
kj

[gsmith7158]

No, but i would go $500.
kj

I agree $995 is too much.

[kootenay joe]

There really is no single value that can be applied to this knife. Likely it is the only one of this pattern, of this age and in this immaculate condition.
I say worth $500 to me not because of anything to do with the knife, but to do with my limited financial means. $1000 for someone of greater wealth is also a reasonable price.
I bought a Jos. Rodgers ivory Sportsman's knife that is shown in "Sheffield Exhibition Knives" by W. Claussen, et al. for $3000.
I think this is a reasonable price because at the time i could afford to spend that much on a knife.
What i am trying to express is that value for rare vintage knives is quite subjective.
kj

[LongBlade]

I agree with you KJ - hard to price this right as price can be collector dependent as to "wants" - but $995 is way overboard... but more so for me I am abit suspicious about this knife though it all looks original... given the age related marks on bolsters and springs the blades were no doubt buffed clean (though the edges of the blades do not look rounded so it was done with care - by a professional if you will - ... also if one looks at the pen blade in the last photo at the half stop you can see a concave belly from sharpening... a few others spots on the blades also indicate it was cleaned - so not exactly mint and probably all original - just cleaned very well and though "shiny" sells on eBay it doesn't do alot for me

[kootenay joe]

LongBlade, thank you. I very much appreciate your experienced input, esp. the finer points of buffing evidence.
kj

[Dinadan]

If you look at the close up of the tang on the secondary blades it appears that the cleaner just about had to buff off the stamp to get the rust off one of them.

This is a very interesting knife. I had not read of the use of long thin pocketknife blades to clean pipes, thanks for that tidbit, K7K. The bolsters on this knife are quite unusual if not unique - nice to look at.