More on Clasp Knives.
The clasp knife dates back to the
Romans era, but the knives we are concerned with here are 17th and 18th
century. As with any description of an antique item of which there were many
makers, there may be some grey areas regarding shapes matched to periods. The
pistol grip clasp knife fits into the early to mid 18th century, but
of course their use would have gone beyond this date. The curved design seems
to date to the late 18th century. But
in the 19th century the shape of the clasp knife handle became
straight, with no curve.
17th century pistol
grip knives.
17th century pistol
grip Gully knife. Considered to be a fighting knife. I am unable to tell if
this has a back spring or not.
My own knife of similar size does
have a back spring, but the blade is so long that the spring is pretty much
ineffectual.
18th century French
pruning knife.
A similar knife of mine with bone
slab handle.
Found at a site of the Conoy
Indians in Lancaster County which dates from 1718 to 1743.
A similar knife of mine that has
a back spring. This type though is generally accepted as being a 1770s design
This one is dated to the 1770s.
A Spanish lock knife.
18th century Spanish or
Catalonian or Balearic lock clasp knife. The lock is released by pulling on the
ring at the back of the knife.
1735-1745 French Jambette.
Jambette blades.
This diagram of Lentega knives
are very similar to the Jambette knives. These are friction knives the same as
the Jambette, no back spring, and no lock. The back of the blade had a tab to
restrict travel of the blade, and pressure on this tab area with thumb or hand
secures the blade in the open position.
This early to mid 18th
century suspension ring blade is believed to be Spanish. These operate the same
as the Jambette.
This is the copy I made for this
type of knife.
This is an image of what has come
to be known as a “penny knife”. Its origins appear to be lost in time. Some say
it is an 18th century
pattern, others say the name is a modern one and simply means a cheap
clasp knife with no back spring and no lock or back tab or ring. Below though
is an interesting tale:
The custom takes place every year on
the eve of Ascension Day and dates back to 1159 when three noblemen were
hunting a wild boar. The boar is reputed to have sought refuge with a hermit on
Eskdaleside but the three hunters attacked the hermit and killed him. As
penance for their crime the noblemen were told they must build a hedge, cut
with a penny knife, at low tide.
French cutlers images published in
1771.
Further Information:
