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- Aug 4, 2013
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We all know that America's (USA) early history was peppered with goods from the old world (Europe). The USA started off as colonies, so it's not like they had factories or even basic shops making certain things all over the place. So, that's just one reason for the imports to have been much needed. Crafty folks could, and did make, certain "things" at home, but many goods simply needed to be had from other sources, beit domestic or abroad. Anyhow, there was also the fact that certain areas of the world were really great at making certain goods, and their reputations caused folks to want to acquire products from them, a practice that lives on today with brand recognition and all.
So, when it came to knives, it was a no brainer that Solingen of Germany, and Sheffield of England were not only commonly found, but also commonly desired and sought after.
Now to my discussion that this post title hints to...
I have found new and old examples of German made traditional pocket knives and fixed blade knives. Same goes for finding new and older knives from new world knife centers that developed and became famous in their own right in the USA.
As for old Sheffield pocket and fixed blade knives... Nope, just have not been as lucky in finding any (new or old).
I did want to start adding some Sheffield examples to my collection, since I don't own a single specimen. So, a few years back, after having ordered and received a new German Anchor Knife and new Mercator k55k Cat Knife from a stateside online vendor, I ordered an English made knife from them. It was of a hawkbill pruner pattern with buffalo horn handle scales. I forget the name brand, but it was at the time I looked it up, an established brand. It was a modern day made traditional, and although I would have preferred a nice condition vintage or antique specimen of English make, I was willing to settle on an affordable, (I think it was in the 55 to 60 dollar range), new English made specimen. I was hoping it would at least be as good as a run of the mill Case knife. Nope, it was not. The knife blade, when in open position, was at a slanted to one side angle from the knife handle. I still can't comprehend what was going on with it, because when the knife was closed, it was decently centered. It had beautiful handle scales, but that weird look of the blade being off to one side the way it was, bugged me enough to send it back (it was really noticeable).
I really do prefer inspecting a knife before purchasing, it simply eliminates disappointments like that.
For many months now I've been regularly hitting the local flea markets, the local thrift stores, the very occasional gun shows that come to town, and the even more rare local knife shows. I simply don't do as much online shopping for my "gadgets" as I used to do.
My in person buying has helped me in being able to cheaply acquire vintage to antique specimens from Germany and the USA, and some nice vintage Japanese knives, but have yet to even encounter some English made specimens.
I mean, if I went online and money were no object... German, English, American, French, Spanish, or whatever location, the items can be found. But just searching as I have these past few months, it's mostly German, Japanese, and American vintage pieces that I find (and of course a plethora of mostly Chinese modern day made knives).
I guess eventually a few Sheffield specimens will make their way into my collection.
My daughter and her husband are living in London England now, (for maybe two years before they head back to the USA), so I imagine I will likely try visiting them before they return. My plan was for an early 2020 visit there, and I will almost certainly try bringing back some souvenirs. One of those large sized Egginton/Wolstenholm Bowie repros are on my desire list, but they are quite pricey, so nothing but buying it in person will work for me.
Yup, my casual excursions have turned up some cool and inexpensively had German knife specimens, but those English are playing hard to get!
Btw, I was very surprised at how decently made and good looking my modern day specimens of the German Anchor Knife and German Mercator k55k Cat Knife are. They are both still made in Germany by Otter Messer... Good stuff!
And although Solingen Germany has few facilities making German knives today, their wares, (like Otter Messer'), can be found here and there in the USA.
I know Sheffield is likely in the same boat, few facilities making knives there, but finding those remaining wares is not common at all in the USA. Just my observations, of course.
So, when it came to knives, it was a no brainer that Solingen of Germany, and Sheffield of England were not only commonly found, but also commonly desired and sought after.
Now to my discussion that this post title hints to...
I have found new and old examples of German made traditional pocket knives and fixed blade knives. Same goes for finding new and older knives from new world knife centers that developed and became famous in their own right in the USA.
As for old Sheffield pocket and fixed blade knives... Nope, just have not been as lucky in finding any (new or old).
I did want to start adding some Sheffield examples to my collection, since I don't own a single specimen. So, a few years back, after having ordered and received a new German Anchor Knife and new Mercator k55k Cat Knife from a stateside online vendor, I ordered an English made knife from them. It was of a hawkbill pruner pattern with buffalo horn handle scales. I forget the name brand, but it was at the time I looked it up, an established brand. It was a modern day made traditional, and although I would have preferred a nice condition vintage or antique specimen of English make, I was willing to settle on an affordable, (I think it was in the 55 to 60 dollar range), new English made specimen. I was hoping it would at least be as good as a run of the mill Case knife. Nope, it was not. The knife blade, when in open position, was at a slanted to one side angle from the knife handle. I still can't comprehend what was going on with it, because when the knife was closed, it was decently centered. It had beautiful handle scales, but that weird look of the blade being off to one side the way it was, bugged me enough to send it back (it was really noticeable).
I really do prefer inspecting a knife before purchasing, it simply eliminates disappointments like that.
For many months now I've been regularly hitting the local flea markets, the local thrift stores, the very occasional gun shows that come to town, and the even more rare local knife shows. I simply don't do as much online shopping for my "gadgets" as I used to do.
My in person buying has helped me in being able to cheaply acquire vintage to antique specimens from Germany and the USA, and some nice vintage Japanese knives, but have yet to even encounter some English made specimens.
I mean, if I went online and money were no object... German, English, American, French, Spanish, or whatever location, the items can be found. But just searching as I have these past few months, it's mostly German, Japanese, and American vintage pieces that I find (and of course a plethora of mostly Chinese modern day made knives).
I guess eventually a few Sheffield specimens will make their way into my collection.
My daughter and her husband are living in London England now, (for maybe two years before they head back to the USA), so I imagine I will likely try visiting them before they return. My plan was for an early 2020 visit there, and I will almost certainly try bringing back some souvenirs. One of those large sized Egginton/Wolstenholm Bowie repros are on my desire list, but they are quite pricey, so nothing but buying it in person will work for me.
Yup, my casual excursions have turned up some cool and inexpensively had German knife specimens, but those English are playing hard to get!
Btw, I was very surprised at how decently made and good looking my modern day specimens of the German Anchor Knife and German Mercator k55k Cat Knife are. They are both still made in Germany by Otter Messer... Good stuff!
And although Solingen Germany has few facilities making German knives today, their wares, (like Otter Messer'), can be found here and there in the USA.
I know Sheffield is likely in the same boat, few facilities making knives there, but finding those remaining wares is not common at all in the USA. Just my observations, of course.
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