All About Pocket Knives

Thanks Bill ... always a pleasure to share!

LongBlade: That's the prettiest old quill knife I have ever seen.

Thanks GreedyG ....

The "carving" of Mother of Pearl completely amazes me. This knife is so beautifully done as are others I have seen.
Actually, just getting a shield in a handle is a wonder to me. Who gets to peen the pins?

Here’s another quill for the thread – actually a double end quill from my understanding which according to what I read was more of a mid to late 19th century style though I haven’t seen many…. I think this is the first for this thread too...

IXL George Wostenholm Celebrated Cutlery (1850-1890 according to Goins) – 3” closed with ivory covers in a very slim congress style type frame…

Another very special knife, Lee. Good show.

Thanks Joe ..

I have posted this knife before but I think it would qualify as a double ended quill knife. Carved pearl handles and recessed back spring. 3" closed with Wharncliffe and quill blades both marked Baxter & Co.

Awesome carved MOP double-end quill Wayne ... and with a wharncliffe that puts it way over the top ...

That's quite the knife Wayne. I would think the mop is fragile from being carved and thin. Great condition.

Beautiful knife Wayne.

Thanks for the compliments. This old pearl is one of my favorites.

Beautiful carved pearl knives, Lee and Wayne!
Dan

Thanks Dan ...

Wayne, that is one beautiful knife!!

I see it has been a while since anybody posted a Quill knife. I thought you all might like this J. Bryant carved pearl with fancy rivets in minty condition.

That's a really good looking knife, thanks for sharing!!

Spectacular knife!

Well, it can't get too much better than that.

Beautiful quill!

Beautiful old quill ... fancy Mop, pins and even file work on the springs which is not seen often - love it

J Bryant - Sheffield maker?? I can't access my Tweedale Sheffield reference at the moment nor Goins (not seeing it online in BRLs book or Blades Guide) so am curious if you know combolox?? My guess is Sheffield but I can be wrong - old Sheffield makers notably made fancy quill knivess compared to those made here in the old U.S. cutleries.....

Longblade,
I am assuming J. Bryant was a Sheffield Maker, but I don't know for sure.

On the previous page Wayne posted a beautiful knife by Baxter & Co. This one is made by Plum of Bristol England, the handles are carved ivory and very similar to Wayne's knife.

The back spring is covered with a decorative sterling silver strip just like some silver fruit knives! It even has an oval shield!
Also the brass liners are cut out exactly like the handles are, made for the wealthy in it's day.

Nice Dimitri ... Elaborate & fancy to say the least - I guess the ivory was dyed green?? Not sure I have ever seen dyed ivory ... Other than the current conservation measures to dye or paint living elephant tusks pink to protect them from ^#{% poachers .... Anyway Baxter & Co based on those 2 examples from you and Wayne no doubt made some really nice high end quills with that classic Sheffield exhibition quality!!

Thank you Lee
Yes, during the period this knife was made it was fashionable to dye the ivory green.

Like your observations Lee keep them coming!

Nice Dimitri, unusual, I like it!!! I have a couple I'll get them out tomorrow and take a couple photos, but they are plain ones.