Folding/pocket knives?

[DiMarco_Mercantile]

Hello all,
What are some good historic examples of folding and pocket knives of the time period? Something your everyday person would carry. I’ve seen a few examples in Firearms, Traps, and Tools by Carl P. Russel, but would like to get the full picture. Thanks!

 

[Rató:rats]

Folding knives haven’t changed much since Roman times. A body or house, a pivot, and a blade. Just three ingredients.

Collectors Guide to the American Revolution

And

Swords and Blades of the American Revolution

both by George Neumann, are great places to start your research.

 

[squirehawk1774]

Here is an original and one I made off of the original. These were made from the 18th up into the 19th century. These things were really slapped together fast the original still has all the file marks left on it.

 

[DiMarco_Mercantile]

Here is an original and one I made off of the original. These were made from the 18th up into the 19th century. These things were really slapped together fast the original still has all the file marks left on it.

Real nice!

 

[SOLANCO]

I collect them. Mostly Case. Probably have north of 6 dozen. Carry one every day. Will not carry it if it won't fit in a leather carry slip. Don't want the keys and pocket change to mess it up.

No longer have to go into the city often. But if I do, I will have a somewhat larger knife sheathed in my waist band at the small of my back.

 

[squirehawk1774]

Here are some more folders I have made of off originals. I have another style original folder that I need to dig out and take a photo of. Many of the period folders weren't really pocket knives. Some were six to eight inches closed.

 

[waksupi]

Some I've made.

 

[Eutycus]

No Barlows?

 

[Darkgael]

Very nice. Did you use the same steel for each?
The little lever opener on the Neumann knives reminded me of the Japanese higonokami knives.

 

[Red Owl]

There don't seem to be any Barlows even though I think GW had one that he lost.

 

[JC Mendyka]

A much wiser man than me stated this was an excellent example of a folding knife with accidents of a bygone era

 

[Edm]

I’ll second the opinal. Fantastic slicer. I love the ones I own.

 

[Red Owl]

Try this, much more period correct and reasonably priced.

Soldier's Knife

Heavy folding knives like this were often carried by soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Handle is made of brass and horn. 4-1/2" blade 9-1/4" overall length when open. Imported from India Item # KN-158

www.townsends.us

 

[Old-Duckman]

Try this, much more period correct and reasonably priced.

Soldier's Knife

Heavy folding knives like this were often carried by soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Handle is made of brass and horn. 4-1/2" blade 9-1/4" overall length when open. Imported from India Item # KN-158

www.townsends.us

Some nice products on that site.

 

[Rató:rats]

Try this, much more period correct and reasonably priced.

Soldier's Knife

Heavy folding knives like this were often carried by soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Handle is made of brass and horn. 4-1/2" blade 9-1/4" overall length when open. Imported from India Item # KN-158

www.townsends.us

Cute knife but you won’t find nail nicks on folders before the Civil War if you want to go full PC.

 

[Red Owl]

Well, yeah. There really aren't any 100% accurate choices unless you get a customer made knife. Nail nicks pre-date the Civil War but they were originally stamped rather than ground. A ground nick is dished whereas the stamped nick was U shaped and just a line, even depth. Often the nick was not aligned perfectly with the back of the blade.

 

[BillinOregon]

Do not overlook the family of folders known as "penny knives." They are said to go back at least to the 18th century, and some say much older.

New Penny Knife

Here is a new penny knife I am working on at the moment, almost finished except for drilling the blade, heat treatment, and than riveting. This is a bit planer than I normally make, but I was styling it after an antique knife I found online. I have seen several of this style so I would imagine...

www.muzzleloadingforum.com

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Dixie used to sell British warrant pocket knives. I had one decades ago.
Wasnt sharp enough for me.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Hello all,
What are some good historic examples of folding and pocket knives of the time period? Something your everyday person would carry. I’ve seen a few examples in Firearms, Traps, and Tools by Carl P. Russel, but would like to get the full picture. Thanks!

This is from Diderot's Encyclopedia, I'm told...

Here are some other examples...

LD

 

[Tumbledown]

Cute knife but you won’t find nail nicks on folders before the Civil War if you want to go full PC.

Unless this was actually a modern knife passed off as an antique, I do believe I see a nail nick on the blade.

Antique Revolutionary War Era Soldiers Pocket Knife

ANTIQUE REVOLUTIONARY WAR ERA SOLDIERS POCKET KNIFE. A RARE FIND . IT IS IN MINT OVERALL SHAPE AND CONDITION WITH A BEA

www.liveauctioneers.com

And another example.

*RARE* Antique REVOLUTIONARY WAR Soldiers Folding Horn Pocket Jack Knife 1770s | #1860572490

Very very rare designed large horn handle Revolutionary War solders pocket knife. Absolutely exquisite design, snaps open and close, makers mark on the blade. One of the best Revolutionary knives I've

www.worthpoint.com