Cutlery Catalog Images

[danno50]

Some more

[danno50]

Some more

[danno50]

The last page of them

[RobesonsRme.com]

SMITH'S KEY

In 1816, a Sheffield engraver named Joseph Smith published, "Explanation or Key To The Various Manufactories Of Sheffield; With Engravings Of Each Article Designed For The Utility Of Merchants, Wholesale Ironmongers And Travellers".

That's quite a title, so it kind of got shortened to "Smith's Key".

It contained engraved plates of all kinds of tools and also contained several pages of pocketknives.

The whole thing can be downloaded from the internet at a website called, Lost Art Press".

Here are some nice plates of circa 1816 Sheffield folders or "spring knives", as opposed to knives without springs.

Charlie Noyes

[RobesonsRme.com]

More:

[RobesonsRme.com]

Two more:

[wlf]

You're having trouble finding me another farmers jack,huh Charlie. I grin

Thanks for taking the time to post those irregardless. Serious now

[RobesonsRme.com]

Oh, was I looking for farmer's jacks?

At least, now you know that English farmer's jacks probably did not exist in 1816.

Charlie, I wink.

[danno50]

I really like the wide, almost leaf shaped, blades on some of the pocket knives in the first batch posted by Charlie.
Dan

[carrmillus]

...wish someone could come up with some Camillus catalogs from the early 1900's!!!............ ............................

[wlf]

Oh, was I looking for farmer's jacks?

At least, now you know that English farmer's jacks probably did not exist in 1816.

Charlie, I wink.

Exactly what I was thinking. No emoticon.

[Beechtree]

Nice Dan, that is a good line up!
Charlie, the Smiths Key is really great, thanks for adding it.
Here is a Novelty Cutlery Co. from 1914
These picture handle knives make for really pretty advertising. There are a quite a few interesting handles including the scout knife, a whittle with RE Lee and what appears to be Nicholas II of Russia, and the Tulip Model featuring an Opossum and Raccoon.

[Beechtree]

Continued

[kootenay joe]

Charlie, i have heard of Smith's Key but your posts are the first i have seen of it. I am amazed at the quality of printing in 1816, far more advanced than i had thought. The same goes for the pocket knives shown. They look exquisite. I'd like an 1816, 12 blade Lobster knife please.
kj

[wlf]

Bt ,pretty always sells,and celluloid afforded much beauty. Beauty is also very dangerous,if not understood.

[bighomer]

Charlie and Beechtree those are outstanding thanks

[Beechtree]

Thanks Lyle and bighomer. Glad you enjoy them.

[danno50]

Great additions, Beechtree, those are good quality scans.
Dan

[wlf]

Dan ,thanks for finding that site("www.blackburntools.com") , it has the W Rose catalog,from which I bought and used the New England pattern trowels or sewer patterns for my usage in firebrick installation. The old sewers are not unlike the circular pipes in blast furnaces. Just notice in some of the old vampire movies at the intricate brickwork in those sewers..

[Beechtree]

Carmillus, this is for you.
Dating to 1904, only 2 years after the incorporation of the name Camillus Cutlery Co., this single cut shows the range of mostly hard working knives that were being advertised.

Side by side to the other, mostly German knives sold in the catalog, you can see that being competitive meant keeping prices down. This seems to be the case at least in the area where this was being marketed in New York state. You could get the really uniquely Bull bolstered, Wadsworth & Son etched Cattle Knife with a spear, pen and pruning blade! In either bone or Buffalo handles, at 3 7/8” it rang up at 13.00 per dozen. Comparably, a much plainer and 3/8” shorter cattle knife by Camillus was the same price. That is some fierce competition.

My favorite is the fine jumbo jack etched, Onondaga Chief, which is located just below the Hercules Jack.

[Beechtree]

Here are a few more catalog cuts, Belknap from 1935. Hope you enjoy

[bighomer]

Beechtree you got what you hoped for cause I for one shore enjoyed them.

[Beechtree]

Goodie BH!

[wlf]

Thanks again for the effort B. I appreciate dating the cuts,as I have gotten some that I never was able to date.

[kootenay joe]

Beechtree, the Wadsworth Cattle knife, 3401 in the 2nd catalog page: WOW ! it's a Swell Center and has deeply engraved bolsters, imagine finding a never used one today ! i collect Vintage German knives but i've never seen a Cattle knife fancy like the Wadsworth. Oh, the Pruning blade they call a "Hoof blade"; likely the very tip is blunt rather than a sharp point in a Pruner (aka "Hawkbill").
kj