Trade knives

[Flintlock Whiskey]

I was looking at some shipping manifests or trade items for the fur business. Something I noticed was several scores of folding knives, both large and small. The manifests were French. Is there a book or website recommendation to find out more about these?

 

[Red Owl]

There used to be a website, I think in was Novelle Francais, or something like that. Then a book was published with all the information BUT I can't find it any where. Wish I had bought the book.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

There used to be a website, I think in was Novelle Francais, or something like that. Then a book was published with all the information BUT I can't find it any where. Wish I had bought the book.

Thanks for the hint, I'll see where it takes me.

 

[Rató:rats]

https://scavengeology.com/french-folding-knives-a-k-a-clasp-knives-in-the-fur-trade/
This oughta wet your whistle

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

https://scavengeology.com/french-folding-knives-a-k-a-clasp-knives-in-the-fur-trade/
This oughta wet your whistle

Thank you, Sir!
Looks like a good site to spend time looking over.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

https://scavengeology.com/french-folding-knives-a-k-a-clasp-knives-in-the-fur-trade/
This oughta wet your whistle

What is remarkable is the design of these blades are very similar to ones that were issued to the Roman soldiers in the Iberian Peninsula. If I recall accurately, around the time of the first to third centuries. The design could be 800 to 1000+ years old. Perhaps an earliest form of "if it works, don't fix it".
Except for the Opinel brand, does anyone know who makes anything close to these?

 

[Rató:rats]

What is remarkable is the design of these blades are very similar to ones that were issued to the Roman soldiers in the Iberian Peninsula. If I recall accurately, around the time of the first to third centuries. The design could be 800 to 1000+ years old. Perhaps an earliest form of "if it works, don't fix it".
Except for the Opinel brand, does anyone know who makes anything close to these?

There are some India made Siamois style knives. Most handled in rosewood with not great steel. I had to bite the bullet and go custom maker for my two. No regrets. We’ll worth it.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

There are some India made Siamois style knives. Most handled in rosewood with not great steel. I had to bite the bullet and go custom maker for my two. No regrets. We’ll worth it.
View attachment 225092

I think I recognize the mark on the small one. Who made them?

 

[Rató:rats]

The top one is by Ben Hoffman.
The bottom is by a great Canadian knife maker and Forum member Runewolf1973.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

Here is a knife I recently purchased. It was $8.50 and I was a bit suspect to the quality being such a low price so I ordered a couple of them. I was right the quality is low. The blade is thin and probably stainless. It also has an engraved company name in the blade. I had to peen the rivet as the blade was wobbly in the handle. It's not that great of a knife, but since it is just for my use, I'll stain the handle, sharpen the blade and throw it in my shooting pouch. It might be good for cutting patches or cutting jerky. The two knives that Ratorats showed a pic of are awesome. I hope that inspires me to forge a proper quality thumb folder for myself.
Ohio Rusty ><>

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I was looking at some shipping manifests or trade items for the fur business. Something I noticed was several scores of folding knives, both large and small. The manifests were French. Is there a book or website recommendation to find out more about these?

OPINEL still makes small, folding, carbon steel knives without a lock.... Just sand off the markings and voila, inexpensive pocket knife....

LD

 

[Carteret Kid]

H ere is a source for several; Welcome to G. Gedney Godwin, Inc. -

 

[Rató:rats]

Here is a knife I recently purchased. It was $8.50 and I was a bit suspect to the quality being such a low price so I ordered a couple of them. I was right the quality is low. The blade is thin and probably stainless. It also has an engraved company name in the blade. I had to peen the rivet as the blade was wobbly in the handle. It's not that great of a knife, but since it is just for my use, I'll stain the handle, sharpen the blade and throw it in my shooting pouch. It might be good for cutting patches or cutting jerky. The two knives that Ratorats showed a pic of are awesome. I hope that inspires me to forge a proper quality thumb folder for myself.
Ohio Rusty ><>

Nice looking penny knife. At that price I would’ve got a few too to play around with. One problem with a lot of these India-made repro knives is they always seem to have a nail nick in the blade which I’ve never seen on an original 18th century folder.

 

[Red Owl]

Is it possible to archive that site?

 

[Two Feathers]

Is it possible to archive that site?

Red Owl:
Just my $0.02, but if you open the site link. Then you can bookmark it and save it to your"Bookmarks"menu. To me that's archiving?
Good luck.
God bless:
Two Feathers

 

[Cruzatte]

South Union Mills has a French folding knife in two sizes; small and large. I bought one a little while ago. Although it may be made in India, or perhaps Pakistan, I thought the blade was rather decent quality. At least it was good enough to cut patches on the muzzle with. And I didn't have to take heroic measures to sharpen it at the end of the shooting session. A little touch-up, and voilà!

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Here is a knife I recently purchased. It was $8.50 and I was a bit suspect to the quality being such a low price so I ordered a couple of them. I was right the quality is low. The blade is thin and probably stainless. It also has an engraved company name in the blade. I had to peen the rivet as the blade was wobbly in the handle. It's not that great of a knife, but since it is just for my use, I'll stain the handle, sharpen the blade and throw it in my shooting pouch. It might be good for cutting patches or cutting jerky. The two knives that Ratorats showed a pic of are awesome. I hope that inspires me to forge a proper quality thumb folder for myself.
Ohio Rusty ><>

I checked out the company. They have the knife on their website but it appears that everything that I saw on their site is out of stock.
Bummer.
That said, if your knife is Swiss made, it may be of some quality.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

South Union Mills has a French folding knife in two sizes; small and large. I bought one a little while ago. Although it may be made in India, or perhaps Pakistan, I thought the blade was rather decent quality. At least it was good enough to cut patches on the muzzle with. And I didn't have to take heroic measures to sharpen it at the end of the shooting session. A little touch-up, and voilà!

Bingo!
https://www.southunionmills.com/18th-century-french-pocket-knife-large/

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I checked out the company. They have the knife on their website but it appears that everything that I saw on their site is out of stock.
Bummer.
That said, if your knife is Swiss made, it may be of some quality.

Swiss Advance 32685 JACK Penny Knife​

32685 by Swiss Advance Gear


List Price: $19.98
Our Price: $11.99
Savings: $7.99 (40%)

Fast Shipping
The site Knife Country USA says they are in stock for $11.99. I ordered a couple of them to be modified as I didn't think they were great quality, but they had the right look for an 18th century penny knife. I was trying to find a suitable shooting bag knife without breaking the bank. The knife is made in Austria, which may be better than China. If you click on the link, that knife is the first selection.
Ohio Rusty ><>

In Stock

Description​

Model/Part Number - SSA32685. Swiss Advance Gear JACK Penny Knife. 4.13" (10.49cm) closed. 3" (7.62cm) satin finish stainless clip point blade. Birch wood handle. Slip joint. Bulk packed. Made in Austria.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

Bingo!
https://www.southunionmills.com/18th-century-french-pocket-knife-large/

Nice pocket folder !! For $14.95 for the large, and $11.95 for the small , I just ordered one of each of those to see how good the knife is. I like that style where you hold the blade closed with your thumb. Thanks for the heads up !! Looking forward to getting the knife in the mail and doing a critique of the knifes and posting them on here..
Ohio Rusty ><>