Silver colored ferrule on Osbourne knife?

[Mbsz53]

Hello all,

 

Did C.S. Osbourne make a head/round knife with a silver colored ferrule? It has the shape of the #70, but is only 4.5 inches like the #71. Most of the knives I've seen, new and vintage, have a brass ferrule.  Please share your expertise and knowledge about this questionable anomaly.

 

Thank you,

 

Maurice

[tsunkasapa]

Does it SAY C. S. Osbourne on the blade? I have never seen one of theirs that didn't. That, rather than the ferrule should be your first clue. I can't speak to Osbourne knives, but during WWII almost ALL brass went to the war effort and manufacturers had to adapt. Ever seen a steel penny? The copper went to the war effort. So it is entirely possible that they might have been produced with a nickle ferrule.

[bruce johnson]

Osborne made a budget priced knife with a round handle, not the typical oval cross section. Nickle ferrule on some of them I recall. I don't have any left here to check. 

[tsunkasapa]

Is this the one you are looking at?

Vtg. C.S. Osborne Round Head Knife Leather Working Tools Harrison NJ | eBay

[Mbsz53]

18 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said:

 

Yes

[tsunkasapa]

I would say it is just what Bruce described. Round handle might be a little harder to learn, but it should do the job just fine. I use a round handle and have no issues.