Rocket6R Report post Posted June 1, 2014 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted June 1, 2014 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavenAus Report post Posted June 1, 2014 *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..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocket6R Report post Posted June 2, 2014 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oltoot Report post Posted June 2, 2014 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted June 2, 2014 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocket6R Report post Posted June 2, 2014 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whipstitchwallets Report post Posted June 25, 2014 I love older head knives, but I've never dated one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hi Im Joe Report post Posted June 26, 2014 *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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
