These are all stunning wee knives, still the swayback handle on that quill pen is the vision that gets me most. So elegant, the way the butt end of the handle tapers to a semioval rather than the habitual semicircle. That is an old school every day carry that I suppose really would have gotten regular and purposeful use. I don't know how often one has to sharpen a quill and I suppose that depended on a fair few factors. It has occurred to me that the word penknife initially could have held precisely the same meaning as "quill knife", however the former has come to refer to any small slipjoint folder. It also occurs to me that "penknife" may be ,more common usage in the UK and less habitual in the USA, in much the manner of "torch" versus "flashlight". What can you tell me?
I think you’re spot on with the Pen’ assessment. Thanks for sharing. I learned something that never clicked before. I too love the sway pattern. Seems to link back to the earliest of design. The old Sailors knives and Early artisans from centuries past.
@@CuttingEdgetools I've heard it said a swayback handled knife is for pull cuts. In use I have found the shape to be comfortable in any grip or direction and perhaps this is the strength of the form. Especially when they penknife small, one holds them not clenched so much in the palm but more in the fingertips. Then even if cutting forwards the shape rests naturally into one's grip. It may not be the most comfortable shape to grip in the hand at the sales counter, but it may be the most comfortable once it's actually in use. These are thoughts that led me to try putting a swayback handle on my bush knife, which unorthodox combination works fine and as intended for me. I recently saw images of a custom bushcraft knife
I’m always skeptical of the salesman sample tag on a lot of things. It’s a known gimmick in selling to try to up the value of objects as being rare. Fleabay comes to mind for it, notoriously. I’m sure there were salesman samples on many wares, but I think it’s mostly used deceptively to gain profit. Are there any known examples of the knives in normal sizes? If a regular sized duplicate is known, then they very well may be a tiny example of what was offered.
@@serpent6710 Thanks for sharing. I didn’t pay much for the fancy tiny folders. I don’t think there’s enough examples of salesman samples to influence the market. Sheffield and Germany were quite prolific producers of small Pen Blades. In the USA. The only knives of that sort that would bring big money would be Prototype’s from the likes of Buck, or other notable. As far as the Western Pearl knife goes. A handful of the Very first Early Western States knives were not made in Boulder CO. If you’re not familiar with the Harvey Platts’ Book -Knife maker’s who went west. Check it out. Great resource. The Platts’ cutlery family was associated through marriage and a couple generations of working for & with the Cutlery Empires of CASE’ , Cattaraugus’, Union Cut’ and other early Cutlery companies. Harvey Platts’ notes in the Book that before the Boulder Factory was up and producing. They had a few of those Cutlery’s produce knives for them. Likely CASE bros,Challenge,Valley Forge, NY knife and few others. This small Coke bottle Pearl Jack is a familiar old pearl pattern from turn of century that a few of those companies produced. Sargent’s Knife and Razor book has photos of Early patterns like this. My guess is once Western States factory was up and producing -They focused on producing unique patterns of their own.
Congratulations on 1000 subscribers. Gorgeous little knives. My grandfather always said that they were gentleman's knives.
Thanks Jason. You helped make it happen. Best!
@@CuttingEdgetools it's an honor and privilege to help make somany channels grow. Thank you very much for being able to have a Chanel
I need a good pocket knife. Great channel, great content.
So cool! The western states would be my favorite! I’m in the lookout for those books now!! Thank you for sharing them!!
Thanks for sharing. Yeah Western States stuff is top on my list. The real early Western knives are kinda scarce. Have great Memorial weekend!
Cutlery history of NOTE Sir thank u 4 the lesson your time, knowledge and wisdom Sir
Regards Richard 🇿🇦
Nice oldies 😊
Some truly amazing pieces of history!
Those are some very cool little knives. Kinda looks like you raided Papa Smurf’s armory. 😅. Have a great day!
These are all stunning wee knives, still the swayback handle on that quill pen is the vision that gets me most. So elegant, the way the butt end of the handle tapers to a semioval rather than the habitual semicircle.
That is an old school every day carry that I suppose really would have gotten regular and purposeful use. I don't know how often one has to sharpen a quill and I suppose that depended on a fair few factors.
It has occurred to me that the word penknife initially could have held precisely the same meaning as "quill knife", however the former has come to refer to any small slipjoint folder.
It also occurs to me that "penknife" may be ,more common usage in the UK and less habitual in the USA, in much the manner of "torch" versus "flashlight". What can you tell me?
I think you’re spot on with the Pen’ assessment. Thanks for sharing. I learned something that never clicked before. I too love the sway pattern. Seems to link back to the earliest of design. The old Sailors knives and Early artisans from centuries past.
@@CuttingEdgetools I've heard it said a swayback handled knife is for pull cuts. In use I have found the shape to be comfortable in any grip or direction and perhaps this is the strength of the form.
Especially when they penknife small, one holds them not clenched so much in the palm but more in the fingertips. Then even if cutting forwards the shape rests naturally into one's grip.
It may not be the most comfortable shape to grip in the hand at the sales counter, but it may be the most comfortable once it's actually in use.
These are thoughts that led me to try putting a swayback handle on my bush knife, which unorthodox combination works fine and as intended for me.
I recently saw images of a custom bushcraft knife
I’m always skeptical of the salesman sample tag on a lot of things. It’s a known gimmick in selling to try to up the value of objects as being rare. Fleabay comes to mind for it, notoriously. I’m sure there were salesman samples on many wares, but I think it’s mostly used deceptively to gain profit. Are there any known examples of the knives in normal sizes? If a regular sized duplicate is known, then they very well may be a tiny example of what was offered.
@@serpent6710 Thanks for sharing. I didn’t pay much for the fancy tiny folders. I don’t think there’s enough examples of salesman samples to influence the market. Sheffield and Germany were quite prolific producers of small Pen Blades. In the USA. The only knives of that sort that would bring big money would be Prototype’s from the likes of Buck, or other notable. As far as the Western Pearl knife goes. A handful of the Very first Early Western States knives were not made in Boulder CO. If you’re not familiar with the Harvey Platts’ Book -Knife maker’s who went west. Check it out. Great resource. The Platts’ cutlery family was associated through marriage and a couple generations of working for & with the Cutlery Empires of CASE’ , Cattaraugus’, Union Cut’ and other early Cutlery companies. Harvey Platts’ notes in the Book that before the Boulder Factory was up and producing. They had a few of those Cutlery’s produce knives for them. Likely CASE bros,Challenge,Valley Forge, NY knife and few others. This small Coke bottle Pearl Jack is a familiar old pearl pattern from turn of century that a few of those companies produced. Sargent’s Knife and Razor book has photos of Early patterns like this. My guess is once Western States factory was up and producing -They focused on producing unique patterns of their own.