Gerlach Knives of Poland

[Jack Black]

On a dull trip to a small North Yorkshire town too uninteresting to write about, I recently picked up a Polish Gerlach knife. It’s a very simple working knife, four inches overall, steel seems reasonable, not sure what the wood is. Back in the early 1990’s I knew a guy here who used to sell knives just the same as this to the trade for £1. Yet, this is the sort of knife that a man (or woman) could carry in their pocket for a lifetime, and I’m sure it’d serve them well. Indeed, we have one regular forum member, who I hope we’ll be hearing from very soon ( ), who has his grandfather’s Gerlach Pruner.

Gerlach were established in 1760 and have an interesting history, their knives have always enjoyed a good reputation, in Poland at least. Apart from Ted, I don’t know if anyone else here owns a Gerlach, but it’d be interesting to see any there are, and to hear your experiences of them.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I'll always take an opportunity to show Nagypapa's pocket knife, thanks for the heads up Jack.

Awhile back, (in 2006) I had just returned from a 4 week visit with family to Hungary and vacation in some surrounding countries, This was my Grandfathers knife, he used it 38 years ago the last time I saw him(I was 15 then) to cut Kielbasa and smoked/cured meats in the pantry for our afternoon meals along with cutting up bread and onions and peppers to go with the ham.

My cousin found it in the basement and gave it to me as a gift when I went home.

It's gotta be nearly 70 years old and other than the pitting/character it's as strong as the day he let me use it to cut myself a piece of kielbasa the last day I saw him.

Here's a pic of my Grandfather, Aunts and Uncles back in the day.

I hadn't even thought of that day or the knife in nearly 38 years, her giving me that knife brought a tear to this old Mad Hungarians eye.

It says Gerlach Poland on the tang I'm not even sure what kind of wood it has for handles, anyone ever seen or heard of this brand.

I had posted this story in the Traditional Forum a while back but the story and knife bring back very fond memories of a time that was long ago.

BTW the trip was great, great food, great booze. great family.

Also Jack I might be wrong but I think I either read our someone told me the handles were olive wood but don't hold me to that ,I also IIRC believe Gerlach is still in business and still producing a working man knife.

 

[Jack Black]

Many thanks for posting that Ted, I never tire of seeing your grandfather's knife, and of hearing the great story to go with it, what a fantastic family history :thumbup:

On the one I have, I don't think it's olive wood, maybe beech or something more ordinary. It looks like it might have had a layer of varnish perhaps. With all our talk of fancy handles and bolsters, and even various 'super steels', I think talking about these simple knives from time to take, knives that were good enough for a good man, might keep us grounded a little

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Your right Jack, I was mistaken it is Beech, it's a very durable wood, I've made changes and walking stick sticks from beech wood because it's so tough and once it cures it's very dense and hard.

 

[Jack Black]

Your right Jack.

Probably a total fluke Ted!

I hope it's not just going to be the two of us here my friend, and that a few other Gerlach knives turn up

A pal of mine has a Polish missus, so I might give this one to him for their lad Jack, for when he gets a bit older (he's not one yet!)

 

[T. Erdelyi]

The handles definitely fill the hand and comfortably too, my mom went to Hungary to visit her sister and she's brought back a knife my cousin have her for me but she hasn't sent it to me yet so I don't even know what it is, it could be an uncle's knife or one he found, I guess I'll just have to wait.

 

[Jack Black]

Hope you're not waiting too long Ted :thumbup:

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Very cool, thanks for sharing both Jack and Ted!

 

[kamagong]

A jacked up soddie! I like it.

I've always enjoyed that story Ted. Your story is one of the reasons I carry my #73 almost exclusively. I hope one day my daughter sees it and identifies it as Daddy's knife, and that it reminds her of the good times we had.

- Christian

 

[Jack Black]

A jacked up soddie! I like it.

I've always enjoyed that story Ted. Your story is one of the reasons I carry my #73 almost exclusively. I hope one day my daughter sees it and identifies it as Daddy's knife, and that it reminds her of the good times we had.

Good stuff Christian :thumbup:

 

[James wilcox]

Hello gentleman, I found your forum because my wife worked at s nationally known eyeware company & they were not allowed to except tips, but she had been helping this elderly gentleman four some years & had always tried to tip of which she politely refused. So one day he came in for new glasses & wouldn't let anyone help him except my wife, when she was finished he told her , here you better take this before I hurt myself.lol.now this was 20 years ago or better& i just found it put away & looked it up on my computer because I consider myself pretty knowledgeable on knifes but had never heard of this brand. The one she has almost looks like a small boyscout or swiss army knife. It has 1 small blade that says Syracuse knife co.& then theirs a file blade of the same length on the other side that has 353 Poland on it. It has red handles like a swiss army knife and has what almost looks like the polish eagle that they have on their medal of honor, & it fits into a nice little red leather snap case with a crown & the words GERLACH Poland imprinted in the leather, I have only been able to find the pocket knives like you are talking about but can't find any information on this kind, any help would be appreciated.