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Early Odd Blade shape with Lion head handle. Need help with ID please!

Hello all!

So great that I found this forum. I have been a collector of antique chef/kitchen knives (and other styles as well) for some time now. I came across this website/forum while searching trying to ID a knife I picked up a few weeks ago.

I bought this with the idea that it may have been some type of early butcher knife. I have had some early carbon blades in the past and some early wrought iron hearth ware (roasters, etc). Anyway, the blade shape has me thrown for a loop. It has a chisel edge, and very primitive hammer marks. It has two circular marks in the blade which appear to have "W" in each one. The handle, which is what i had searched before is cast brass with a figural lion head at the end. It looks to be the original handle as the end of the tang is hammered down to keep it in place and it has significant wear. I found a knife maker who goes by Old Dominion Forge http://www.olddominionforge.com/knives.html who made a reproduction knife with a very similar handle. He says the original knife is listed in Madison Grant's The knife in homespun America. He says its 18th century, and has ties to Native American use. I have yet to order the book, but can't find anything else regarding the handle design or even the blade design. I don't doubt its authenticity as it is such an obscure piece. But still... I keep hitting dead ends.

Has anyone seen anything like this? Does anyone have a copy of homespun America?

Any information would be great.

Thanks all!

3 members like this

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 17, 2015 at 13:32

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Permalink Reply by tim payne on May 17, 2015 at 17:13

attractive piece of primitive cutlery al

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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Chris Sievert on May 17, 2015 at 17:14

Looks as if it could be an Early American Tobacco Knife?

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 20, 2015 at 14:48

Al-- I believe I may have figured out what your knife is-- It appears to be a form of a billhook- A blade used to cut barrel staves in barrel making- It closely resembles a style used in 18th century Germany called a Kufermesser or a similar blade from Holland called a Kuipermesser. Here is a link to a page that shows color photos of both and tells more about this style of blade- http://billhooks.co.uk/serpes-et-serpettes-fr/cochoirs-ou-cauchoir-...

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 20, 2015 at 14:59

WOW! John, great job. Based on the shape, I would have to say you figure it out!

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2021 CalendarPermalink Reply by John Bamford on May 20, 2015 at 15:08

Well done John , and a very interesting old knife there Al .

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2021 CalendarPermalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on May 20, 2015 at 15:12

looks like you hit the nail on the head, John.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 20, 2015 at 16:00

Just for historical perspective, here is an elaborate example of a barrel makers knife from Germany exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design , housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects This barrel makers knife is dated 1702..

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Permalink Reply by Lars on May 20, 2015 at 16:24

You're too cool at what you do John....nice.

Al - way to score on that piece! it's wonderful!

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Permalink Reply by Al on May 22, 2015 at 7:10

Hello! John thank you very much. I think you're pretty dead on. The funny thing is I actually got the knife from a German man! I never would have put that together. I appreciate you finding this and sharing it! Al

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on October 9, 2015 at 17:28

Just a little update-- New member Bob Burgess just joined IKC--He was the authority I referenced from his wonderful website

http://billhooks.co.uk/serpes-et-serpettes-fr/cochoirs-ou-cauchoir-... I hope he will add his expertise, knowledge, and any corrections to this discussion, Welcome Bob, and glad to have you here with us !!