Jump to content
Rocket6R

Dating Older Osborne Round Knife?

Recommended Posts

My aunt had a lot of leather tools that my great grandfather had. He passed away in 1977. He did most of his leather work in the 1940's and 1950's. Anyway, she found out I was involved with leather work and gave me all of his leather tools. Pictured here is an older Osborne round knife. Any idea when this particular round knife was made?

Thanks, Paul

photo2_zpsa3a65781.jpgphoto33_zpsf32a17fe.jpgphoto14_zps774d01e6.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your knife could be 1890s or thereabouts. I have an 1897 catalog reprint with the "X" marks on the knifes. The usual knives were 6" wide, the "X" knives were 6-1/2", the "XX" knives were 6-3/4 and the "XXX" were 7". The single X knives then were $1.84.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

*snerk* Ok, from the title the only thing going through my mind was a modified version of the scene from Full Metal Jacket...

"This is my Head Knife. There are many like it, but this is mine..."

"You will eat with it, sleep with it..."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your knife could be 1890s or thereabouts. I have an 1897 catalog reprint with the "X" marks on the knifes. The usual knives were 6" wide, the "X" knives were 6-1/2", the "XX" knives were 6-3/4 and the "XXX" were 7". The single X knives then were $1.84.

Bruce, thanks for taking the time and posting that information. I looked all over the net and couldn't find anything about the age of my round knife. However, I think I may have found an earlier post from you that indicates Osborne moved locations in 1906 and the Newark stamping was therefor no longer used.

Thanks again, Paul

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Something else if you are continuing to look, it has been sharpened a lot and that has altered the shape and width of the blade. Just looking, I would guess that 1/2 to 3/4 of the width is gone and the sides which began life as a graceful curve are a lot straighter.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

One thing I have found are a couple references to the Newark vs. Harrison marking. Osborne changed the marks on most of the tools soon after the move. The round knife with the Newark mark was their ID/badge/flagship/"brand recognition" item. An image of the knife and marking was on their stationary, catalog covers, and flyers. At least a few have thought they might have still marked the knives with the Newark stamp up until maybe WW1.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Something else if you are continuing to look, it has been sharpened a lot and that has altered the shape and width of the blade. Just looking, I would guess that 1/2 to 3/4 of the width is gone and the sides which began life as a graceful curve are a lot straighter.

I noticed that too, the shape of the blade. I would assume that my great grandfather bought this round knife second or third hand. The knife was made about the same time period he was born.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

*snerk* Ok, from the title the only thing going through my mind was a modified version of the scene from Full Metal Jacket...

"This is my Head Knife. There are many like it, but this is mine..."

"You will eat with it, sleep with it..."

What a great movie. "Son, you look like you could suck a golf ball through a garden hose" has to be one of the best lines ever.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...