Some clasp knife examples & supporting info

['Monterrey' Jack Brass]

All,

Pictured below are three clasp knives by makers active in the Victorian era, and one reproduction. These are useful to look at if for nothing else than general styling queues some knives had during the era. Any attempt to capture the vast array of knives available in Victorian times would be a daunting challenge to say the least so the scope of this post is extremely limited.

This blurb from the 1884 Vajen & New Hardware catalog on page 207 says it all about the huge variety of clasp knives available during the old west era: “To attempt to illustrate the many different patterns of Pocket Knives carried by us, would simply be impossible, and would require a book several times larger than our entire catalog”.

Additional info from 1884 Vajen & New Hardware catalog on pages 206 & 207 sheds light on the varieties of and insights on commercially available clasp knives from just this one supplier: “From 1 to 20 blades, Spear Point, Sheep Foot, or Clip Blades, In Pearl, Shell, Ivory, Stag, Bone, Cocoa, Ebony, Buffalo, or Metal Handles. Plain, Capped, or Bolstered” and “We import direct from Sheffield and Solingen…Pen, Pocket and Jack Knives a Specialty”.

Hopefully the small sampling pictured below is of use to you if you’re looking for a original/period clasp knife. If you’re in the market for a decent and reasonably authentic reproduction clasp knife a good one is pictured at the bottom of the photo below. It’s inexpensive, decent enough to get the job done, and could compliment your historical impression/s.



(knives from top to bottom in photo)
1st: Single blade knife marked A. W. Bradshaw & Sons, German maker active from circa 1856-1860 per Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 15th edition (2008)

2nd: Double blade knife marked A. Coppel, German maker active from 1884-1892 per Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 15th edition (2008)

3rd: Double blade knife marked Shapleigh Hardware. Co, U.S. maker active from 1843-1960 per Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 15th edition (2008). Per Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings (1986) the diamond edge trademark stamp is faintly visible and the way the mark and name are stamped on both blades indicates it was made between 1888-1902

4th: REPRODUCTION single blade knife from ‘The Blockade Runner’ sutler. According to the supplier it's patterned after an original 1860s era knife. It shares similar characteristics and construction to the A. W. Bradshaw & Sons circa 1856-1860 era knife pictured above. It's listed at the bottom of page 8 of their online catalog and sells for about $12

YMH&OS,

Brass

[Dr. Bob]

Some good looking knives there!  Thanks for the pictures Brass!!

['Monterrey' Jack Brass]

Dr B,

As you're in the antiques trade perhaps you've some clasp knives by makers from the 19th century. If so please post pics - this would be a great thread to show examples of such knives.

Thanks mon ami,

Brass

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[Wild Billy Potts]

I got one of those "Kissing Crane" German knives like Civil War sutlers sell. I think I ordered my from DGW way back in the late 80s. Still got it and it's a good knife.