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What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:15 pm
by Tinpanva
Picked this up from a trusted seller I’ve bought from several times. He wasn’t able to figure out anything on it, so I picked it up hoping to figure something out on it, I can’t find a stamp of any kind
The best AI came up with is: Appears to be an old English simple working folder with stag scales, iron/steel bolsters, pinned construction, and integral liners/backspring. Blade shows heavy age, patina, sharpening, and loss of original finish, but still retains the overall old profile and character. Handle appears to be genuine stag with attractive age coloration, though there is a visible crack at one end pin and shrinkage/gapping typical of a knife of this age.
I know it’s a shot in the dark and the best I’m likely to get is it’s neat, and old.
Paul
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:29 pm
by doglegg
A very knice old knife Paul.
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:40 pm
by Tinpanva
Right? and I’m happy with that. The folks in this forum never cease to amaze me though, there has to be a thousand years of combined experience here and I’ve seen dudes just look at a photo and go that’s a bla bla bla, just by seeing it.
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 1:45 am
by Mumbleypeg
Looks like the remains of a hawkbill or pruner. Master looks like it probably had years of sharpening. Such knives were used by agricultural workers for tasks like pruning grapes, etc, and were typically handled in wood or horn. The pivot pins are typically crude for the pattern and age of knife. It’s not common to see one with stag, which makes me think those are probably not original, but some were made with stag covers. The handles may have been original, or replaced years ago. For reference see this old thread with pages of Hawkbill pruners
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... t=Hawkbill
Ken
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 3:03 am
by orvet
Nice old knife with rat tail bolsters! The handles may have indeed been replaced and it has definitely had the pivot pin replaced.
Nice old piece!
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 4:28 am
by QTCut5
Tinpanva wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:15 pm
I know it’s a shot in the dark and the best I’m likely to get is it’s neat, and old.
My first impression is it looks like an Ettrick knife.
Check out this thread and see if you agree:
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=52801
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 12:00 pm
by mikeynj
Could you please post the handle and/or overall length of the piece? The blade is extremely worn, but the length of the spring at the bottom end of the folder makes me think of 18th century quill knives, they had blades short at manufacture and handles that are similar. Don't usually see pruner blades on a quill knife, but that might be wear. Also, quills are a upper class knife and this kinda feels more rustic in design, more farmer than schoolmaster. Hope this helps to confuse!
LATER After posting took a look at the link posted by Q and some of the attached photos show very similar style folders. And the supposition about carving and/or whittling knives feels a lot more promising than antique literal penknives. Check out quill knives anyway; they are pretty neat on their own measure!
Mikey
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 6:17 pm
by Gtrclktr-351
Tinpanva wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:15 pm
The best AI came up with is: Appears to be an old English simple working folder with stag scales, iron/steel bolsters, pinned construction, and integral liners/backspring. Blade shows heavy age, patina, sharpening, and loss of original finish, but still retains the overall old profile and character. Handle appears to be genuine stag with attractive age coloration, though there is a visible crack at one end pin and shrinkage/gapping typical of a knife of this age.
Paul
You are using a better version of AI than what eBay offers. That seems like a reliable AI description.
QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 28, 2026 4:28 am
My first impression is it looks like an Ettrick knife.
And I think QTCut5 hit the nail on the head.
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 8:41 pm
by Mumbleypeg
After seeing Q’s post and viewing the knives in the link he provided I agree it looks a lot like the Ettrick pattern. The biggest discrepancy looks like the pivot pins, which are crudely done compared with the relatively refined Ettrick examples. Probably replacements, as Dale said.
Which may indicate the blade and/or covers have also been replaced. Old survivor example in any case.
Ken
Re: What in the world is it? Pre-1860 Sheffield(ish) Stag Folder
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 9:24 pm
by Tinpanva
mikeynj wrote: ↑Sun Jun 28, 2026 12:00 pm
Could you please post the handle and/or overall length of the piece? The blade is extremely worn, but the length of the spring at the bottom end of the folder makes me think of 18th century quill knives, they had blades short at manufacture and handles that are similar. Don't usually see pruner blades on a quill knife, but that might be wear. Also, quills are a upper class knife and this kinda feels more rustic in design, more farmer than schoolmaster. Hope this helps to confuse!
LATER After posting took a look at the link posted by Q and some of the attached photos show very similar style folders. And the supposition about carving and/or whittling knives feels a lot more promising than antique literal penknives. Check out quill knives anyway; they are pretty neat on their own measure!
Mikey
Handles are just about 4.5” and overall 7.5” (phone makes it look like I don’t know how to place ruler at the end) and laying it flat certainly makes it look more Ettrick(ish)