Folding Knives

[Captain Bob]

Just last month, I bought this knife from Sword Demon. It looked like other knives I've seen advertised as "18th century folders", and cost me very little. The blade is different from the picture, though. There is no false edge on the back of the blade. Rather, the back of the blade mirrirs the edge, but is unsharpened. If anything, the blade resembles that of a robust produce knife.

I am curious, though. Is this knife GAOP appropriate? Although my kit is more theatrical than anything else, I would like to be able to point out how it differs from "the real McCoy", should anyone ask.

When were folding knives introduced, and when did they become relatively common? Would a real pirate have been likely to own one?

--Cap'n Bob

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Cap'n Bob,

That is what is called the "colonial gentlemans folder " at most of the Rev War events. It is claimed to have been common during the 1750- 1800's, though not many actual examples have turned up. It looks like a nice one though. According to my knife making friend, examples of folding knives have turned up in Roman Legion campsites all over Europe. I will try to get with him this week and see what kind of info I can get out. The South African Opakai folding knives are supposed to be based on mediterranian design of the 16th century. I wish I had a link to post to confirm this, I'll look around and see what I can find.

Capt. Bo

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Here's a couple of things I found in a google search... Penknives and Other Folding Knives by Simon Moore. Check This Out

I'll try to get more on the actual beginning of the popularity asap.

Capt. Bo

[Gentleman of Fortune]

This will get you started.... google 17th Century Clasp Knife

or go here....

http://www.lanouvelle-france.com/claspknifetypes.htm

GoF

[dasNdanger]

I have a Laguiole-style knife, with that little "bee" on the top of the blade spring on the back of the knife. But that knife, as I understand it, only dates back to the 19th century (though the style is much earlier, I believe).

Here's a fella making reproduction knives (not cheap) based on French clasp knives found at Fort Michilimackinac... http://www.tichbourneknives.com/new.htm (go to bottom of page)

Another site with 'historical' knives...but no authentic period examples to verify the styles: http://www.ragweedforge.com/HistoricalKnif...talog.html#paki

The navaja, a Spanish clasp/folding knife also dates back to the 17th century. http://www.geocities.com/thalaric1/artncul.../sevillian.html

http://www.antiques-arms.com/catalog/produ...products_id=445

das

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Capt. Bob,

Still waiting for an answer from the knifemaker, he's out of town doing a show somewhere in the country. I do know so far that they were commonplace in Ben Franklins boyhood-( he was born 1706), as he makes mention of them in his writings, such as Poor Richards, and briefly in his autbiography as well. It would seem that with the info on the clasp knives being part of the trade goods on the site GoF put up, and that interesting article on the "butterfly" knives, it would be safe to reason that folding knives were commonplace by the time of the GAoP.

I will wait for confirmation before I personally declare "yes", but at this point I would say no problem.

Capt. Bo

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Finally!

Folding knives were already commonplace for the Roman soldiers in the Legions by the first century AD. Mostly used for the mess kit, but of course we all know how handy the pocketknife is, so they knew too.

Bernard Levine is supposed to be THE authority on knives and history of them. I didn't get a site link from the knifemaker, but he says there is one.

Also found some info on Barlow knives being from the GAoP. Check out barlowgeneaology

Also, "jackknife" was a term being used in 1710. Check out;

answers.com/topic/jackknife

Hope this is some help.... Capt. Bo

[Dorian Lasseter]

Just happened on this site while looking for other stuff...

http://www.cutlerytogo.com/gyby/frenchknives.html

Now, these are modern, but look so much like the ones in period....

And looking throught the site I found the 'opaki' knives from South Africa...

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Man... you're not supposed to put stuff like that where I can see it! I get into enough trouble on my own without help!

Seriously though... Excellent site and I think I've already picked one out to add to my other 80 + knives! Just don't let the she-mate find out

Capt. Bo

[Dorian Lasseter]

And from the look of them.... I think these would do for GAoP...

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?c...&products_id=76

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?c...&products_id=87

http://www.smoke-fire.com/treasures-for-th...gentleman-1.asp

[Dorian Lasseter]

Here's a nice one I have...

Forgive me the image size... I wanted to show full detail...

This is a locking back knife, bone handle... you pull on the ring to unlock the blade...

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Very cool!

Any sailor worth his salt would have been proud to own such a useful and purdy tool as that.

This should give Capt. Bob plenty to work with in his presentation. No doubt the Gentlemans Folder is a bit more refined than a common seaman/ workman might have carried, but still more than acceptable to the period. I saw some Roman folding knife specimens on one of the sites I looked through and they ranged from VERY fancy to just plain.(like the "sod-buster" on the Townsend page)

Thanks for sharin the photos. Love blades I do! :)

Capt. Bo

[LadyPyrate666]

You know Dor, that is a very nice ruler. Great quality. the knife isn't too bad either. lol. Joking, awsome knife.

[Patrick Hand]

Dang... I was looking for something else.... and found this thread..... I read it when it first came out... but have made my own folding knife sence then....

I used an old steak knife that I ground to shape (taking my time so I didn't draw out the tember.......

I have a second blade about halfway ground down, so the next one will be even better....