All About Pocket Knives

Greetings all, I was trying to track down some information or insight into this great old knife. This old stag handled, seal cap pruner was found amongst a friends things. It was passed down in his family, although how many generations is unclear. It has integral liners-bolsters, which along with the cap, are steel. The spring has great snap, although the blade has been repined the pin looks to be 100+ years old. The tang is tamped in an old style, small script
CROWNSHAW
BIRKENHEAD
It measures 4 7/8" closed. I was unable to find any information on this company and was hoping that someone might have a reference. I did find online two old razors, one horn, one bone that look to be stamped W J Crownshaw Birkenhead and G. Crownshaw Birkenhead, respectively. I find a reference to W. J. Crownshaw in Birkenhead as a saw maker and cutler, at 27 market street, in The Commercial Directory and Shippers Guide 1872. From a saw collecting website I was able to retrieve the following information.
"
CROWNSHAW, CHAPMAN & Co SHEFFIELD
Don Saw Works, Penistone Road 1876-1898
Amalgamated with Wright, Bindley & Co at same address 1900-1931
Mowbray Street (Burton Road [possibly same buildings] in 1957) 1941-1961
1879: William Joseph Crownshaw and Thomas Chapman, manufacturers of saws, files and steel. The only form of documentation of this firm’s excellence comes from the medals awarded at the trade exhibitions shown on a hand saw etch. Crownshaw may well have been connected with the Birkenhead man, but there is no confirmatory documentation.

CROWNSHAW, George BIRKENHEAD
27 Market Street 1894-1933
Toolmaker and saw manufacturer. Became proprietor of Alexander T.Murray at some point in the 1930’s."


If you have anything to contribute regarding the history of this firm or information pertaining to this knife please do so.

I love how the old masters fitted and used their stag.
Especially on some of the pruners.
Thats a great one!
Mark

Thanks Mark,
When it was pulled from the box, it struck me immediately. The stag, the age, it was a real treat.

I know nothing about it, but it's a beautiful old knife. It'd be a great treasure to own, especially with the family history.

Thanks Colonel26, you are sure right. Although it was not really valued before, my friend now has a healthy appreciation for this knife!

Fine looking old knife and nothing is listed in "Tweedale's" books, but I did track down a little information.
No listing is shown for "Crownshaw" in Sheffield in 1852, but in 1859, "George Crownshaw" is listed as a "spring knife maker and provision dealer" in Sheffield.
I wonder if the company or at least business address moved to "Birkenhead" sometime after?

Fantastic Mason, thanks so much. This is an interesting lead. I would imagine there would be a connection, but I will have to delve deeper. I will hopefully learn a little more tomorrow (keeping fingers crossed), as my friends mother might know a little more about where this came from.

Beechtree wrote:Fantastic Mason, thanks so much. This is an interesting lead. I would imagine there would be a connection, but I will have to delve deeper. I will hopefully learn a little more tomorrow (keeping fingers crossed), as my friends mother might know a little more about where this came from.

Would like to hear more on what you might find, and hopefully some family history.

We like the curves Bt,don't we. You have a fine eye. Nice old pieces.I would like to get a copy of Tweedale's book ,myself.