Knife Identification

[LarryThomas]

Hiya, clearing out my grandparents house and I wondered if anyone can help me identify this knife.

[edgy46]

to all about pocket knives. Someone who has more knowledge than me will be along to possibly answer your question.

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK.

You have what is called a barehead two-blade Jack knife. “Barehead” means these is no metal bolster on one end of the knife.

The key to the information you are wanting is stamped on the knife, on its tang. The tang is the base area on the blade where it connects to the knife frame. Unfortunately your pictures are a little out of focus, which along with some tarnish and spots make it difficult to read. I can see “Sheffield” which is a city in England known for having been home to many knife manufacturers. I also see “Oil the Joints” on the backside, which the cutlery maker George Wostenholm is known for. However several other companies also stamped it on their knives so that itself is inconclusive.

Having the knife in hand, you may be able to read the stamp. An old knife collector trick is to use a pencil lead to clean tarnish and loose rust off the blade, which will help make the stamp more legible. Pencil “lead” (graphite) is harder than rust but softer than steel, so it will not harm your knife. Just rub the lead over the lettering on the tang area, especially the rust/tarnish spots, then wipe it off with a soft cloth.

Ken

[danno50]

To add a little to Ken's comments, and good advice on cleaning up the tang area. The blade shape is called a lambs foot, which has a large following over on another knife forum.
If I use my imagination I think I see a crown at top (far left) side of the pen blade tang stamp, which would be further evidence of it being a George Wostenholm. I believe that the square kick and long pull through the tang on the master blade are indications that the knife is fairly old

[Miller Bro's]

Lockwood Brothers

[Miller Bro's]

Another "one and done"