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The over-looked equal-end penknife.

(Above a variety of equal end penknives by Camillus, Boker, Victorinox, and Rough Rider)

Among knife collectors a pen knife normally refers to knife patterns which have blades that open from both ends of the knife. A Jack knife normally refers to knives that have a blade or blade that open only from the top of the knife. This means a wide variety of knives can be classified as penknives.

The equal-end penknife, however, refers to a particular type of penknife (we'll get to that in a little bit). Originally the term penknife did not even refer to a folding pocket knife! The original pen knives were small scalpel like fixed blade knives that were used to turn large feathers into writing quills or pens.

By the 17^th and 18^th century, the early fixed blade penknives had small blades, perhaps two inches long, sometimes with a slight curve similar to a hawkbill or wharncliffe blade. The handles on these knives were simple wood dowels about 3 to 4 inches long.

At the beginning of 18^th century, British cutlers began making penknives that had sliding blades that could be slid back into the handles. By the middle of the century they began making penknives with blades that folded into the handle. The blades on these folding knives were between 1 and 2 inches long while the handles were around 3 to 4 inches.

As people became more literate and the need for penknives exploded. By the 19^th century, cutlers were making penknives that the average person could afford but also more elaborate versions for the well to do.

The folding penknife proved to be a very popular and also very common knife. The standard pattern we have today probably dates to the late 18^th century. It features 3 ¼ inch an equal-end slim oblong handle with a spear master blade measuring approximately 2 ½ inches and secondary pen blade that is approximately 1 ¼ inches long. The smaller blade, the pen blade was used in preparing the large feather, typically taken from the left wing of a large goose. The writer would use the pen blade to remove the barbs and after feather to create a barrel where they could grasp the quill or hollow shaft of the feather. The writer would then cut the proper angle at the tip and cut the nib into the quill; which would allow the ink to flow properly. The larger spear blade was not actually used for making or adjusting pens but was actually a fruit blade and used for general utility. So in reality the larger blade was actually the original secondary blade!

Around the same time, the graphite pencil came of age. This added to the popularity of the penknife as it was an ideal instrument to carve the wood barrels of the new writing implements.

Soon after the equal end penknife became standardized the new dip pen was invented and quill pens became slowly lost favor. The dip pen was a small ready-made pen tip that was dipped into a bowl of ink similar to the way the quill pen was used. The difference of course is it did not wear out quickly nor did you need a blade to shape it as they were usually made of bone or a soft metal such as brass.

While the original purpose of the penknife is a thing of the past, the usefulness of the simple design has lived on. In short its simplicity of design and small compact design made it a perfect companion for the pocket, especially as society switched from largely agrarian to more urban environments. These small nimble knives were lightweight and barely noticeable in the pocket and still capable of doing the lighter cutting chores of the leisure gentleman.

By the 19^th century, reliable pocket knives became affordable and the penknife soon had a bail added and became the perfect watch fob. And as knife makers sought even more opportunities to increase sales, the concept of using the simple knife for advertising also kept the pattern alive. Today, equal-end penknives continue to be made primarily as novelties. When it comes to collecting knives, equal-end penknives are a terrific option as they come in virtually every price range! This means that even collectors on a budget can find unique equal-end penknives they can afford. So let’s see some equal-end penknives!

Above: The Victorinox Pocket Pal, a modern equal-end penknife with a spear master (right) and pen blade (left).

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on April 29, 2015 at 23:06

Here is a comparison of the "pen" knives that I have.

Of course, here is the New York Knife Co, Pre 1931 pen knife pictured in an earlier post.

Then, my newly acquired 2 3/4" Hen & Rooster Pen Knife, w/ very thick blue jigged bone handles, and massive German blades supposedly assembled in Spain, (at least it says "Spain" on the blade; who knows really?). This knife is substantial, check out the photo of their profiles from above, notice how thick the H & R blades are compared to the others, not to mention those thick handles. It looks and feels more like a Stockman than a "Pen" knife in the hand. A superb knife in all respects, I just love it.

Lastly, a 2014 Buck 305 Lancer, the closest thing to a "pen knife" that Buck currently makes. This US made knife simply cannot hold a candle to either of the other two knives. A nice, costy, US-made knife to be sure, but the fit & finish is substandard when compared to both of the others. The blades are thin compared to the H & R, loose & wiggly in the bolsters right outta the box, semi-sharp, and the handle pins aren't polished down all the way. It can, and will, snag threads in the pocket. The synthetic handles feel rough and chincey feeling compared to both of the other knives. Sorry Buck, you just gotta try harder! Honestly, if given a choice between Buck and Hen & Rooster.......those chickens will win that race every time!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 30, 2015 at 7:12

THe H&R is indeed made in Spain. H&R are made in Solingen, Germany; Toledo, Spain, and China. They are normally stamped appropriately.

The Buck 0375 Duece is indeed a penknife. Some would call it a half whittler due to the blade choices (of course Whittler purists will argue there is no such thing as a half-whittler!). It may not be your traditional 3 1/4 inch equal end penknife but it is definitely a penknife and the ends of the handle are equal ended! A great selection Syd. That H&R looks to be as thick as it is tall!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on April 30, 2015 at 14:29

I saw the "Spain" on the blade, and having read your writings on Frost I knew it was probably assembled there. Yes, it is a THICK little knife, not like a pen knife at all in that respect. It's not only the handles, the blades too are massively thick compared to the others, just a beefy little handful of a knife. I'm not usually a fan of tiny knives, but this little H & R has changed my mind. The "street price" I paid, (as opposed to it's "retail"), was about the same as the Buck 305, but like I said above, the 305 Lancer is pretty wimpy in comparison, and like I also mentioned, it's fit & finish are not in the same league. The H & R will become a perpetual EDC for me from now on, just lovin' it.

I feel a little sad about bad-mouthing the little Buck, but seeing is believing, it simply IS NOT of the same quality as the H & R.

Tobias Gibson said:

THe H&R is indeed made in Spain. H&R are made in Solingen, Germany; Toledo, Spain, and China. They are normally stamped appropriately.

The Buck 0375 Duece is indeed a penknife. Some would call it a half whittler due to the blade choices (of course Whittler purists will argue there is no such thing as a half-whittler!). It may not be your traditional 3 1/4 inch equal end penknife but it is definitely a penknife and the ends of the handle are equal ended! A great selection Syd. That H&R looks to be as thick as it is tall!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 30, 2015 at 22:07

Below is my Camillus Office Knife. At 3 3/8 inches is it slightly larger than the typical equal end penknife. It also has to equal length blades. The main blade is a 1 7/8 inch spear blade and the secondary is a 1 7/8 in eraser blade. The knife has bone colored Delrin scales (I've heard it called French Ivory) and features brass pins and liners.

I guess it you could also call that spear master master blade a pen blade considering its size! And the eraser blade looks very much like a spay blade. The Office Knife was sold by a variety of companies -- some made their own while others sub-contracted with Camillus.

The handles are bone colored Delrin. The office knife print is actually hot stamped into the thermoplastic.

The glamor shot showing the pen and "eraser" blade. The knife is in near mint condition with the only wear being from sitting in a drawer and the blades being opened and closed.

The tang dates the knife somewhere between 1960 and 1976

another view of the spear master blade. At just 1 7/8 inches with a 1 1/2 inch cutting edge I think it safe to call it a penblade!

A view of the eraser blade and back scale of the knife. As you can see only the front has the engraving.

The typewriter in the pictures is a 1940s era Underwood. It belonged to wife's aunt. I'd need to do some digging to determine the exact year and model. I think it weighs between 20-30 pounds!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 1, 2015 at 7:43

This particular knife is a mainstay in collecting or should be. Many, many were made and used! Because of the intended use, many never actually got sharpened just used for a few moments and placed back in the drawer. This makes many of them available today and in good shape. I need to get one and keep it in my drawer!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on May 1, 2015 at 10:09

And the office knives (by any company) seem to be getting more and more expensive on Ebay, especially if they are in excellent or mint condition.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 4, 2015 at 14:35

Here are two knives I got this weekend at the local swap that look like "office" knives to me, and both fit the "equal ended" definition also I think. Average condition, no visible printing on the handles, blades on both are tight & sharp, and snap closed with authority. The larger of the two, which I think is a Richartz Solingen with the "Whale":stamp on the tang is 3 3/8" closed, the scales are probably composite, as it is actually lighter in weight than the smaller knife, and the handles emit a "tinky" sound when tapped. The smaller knife is Hammer Brand, 3 1/8" closed, is heavier feeling than the other, and when tapped the handles emit a dull "tonk" instead of a "tink", (notice those scientific terms I'm using here?). I could do the old hot pin test on the handles to know for sure, but I don't want to poke any holes in the scales just to be able to smell if they are bone or not. I can't tell one way or another under magnification, so maybe one of you will know whether they are bone or comp.

The Hammer Brand stamp, though difficult to make out, probably dates from 1945-55 according to the known samples I've seen, but I have no idea about the "Whale" stamp. Again, perhaps one of you could enlighten me about the origins of these knives. Paid $2 each for these.

Also found a nice old(er) Buck 311 at the swap yesterday, but have posted photos of that one in the Trapper Group.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on May 4, 2015 at 15:27

Great knives I think Syd! Just love the whale tang stamp.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 4, 2015 at 15:45

Yeah, I agree. Coincidently, it just so happens that whales were seen inside Morro Bay Harbor yesterday, (probably Grey Whales), just a couple of blocks from my apartment. It's a small harbor with a small entrance, so it was a big deal around town, (I'm surfing for photos now, none found so far). Normally whales are often seen just outside of our small harbor, (Humpbacks, Greys, Orcas), but having them come inside was unusual. We suppose they were chasing schools of anchovies and just followed them into the mouth of the bay. Of course I missed it because I was away at the SLO Swap Meet finding that "Whale" pen knife....sort of a consolation prize from the fates for my missing the real thing up close, or perhaps the whales showing their approval of my finds.

Thanks Steve.

Steve Hanner said:

Great knives I think Syd! Just love the whale tang stamp.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on May 4, 2015 at 17:17

The whale Tang stamp dates the knife to the 1950s. It was a tang stamp used by Richartz

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on May 4, 2015 at 22:19

Rough Rider "For the Cause" Pen knives (Actually fob knives as they have a key ring) They feature anadized Aluminum scales in Pink and Blue. The blades are PAD stamped "Support The Cause." Proceeds from th esells went to support cancer reasearch at the University of Tennessee. The smaller pink one supports Breast Cancer Research and The blue one support Prostate Cancer Research The Blue knives are commonly called "Man Knives" The pink ones are normally called "For the Cause"

The pink one is 2.5 inches closed and the blue one is the standard 3.25 inches