Found this old pocket knife at a jumble sale.
Branded JOHN HALLAM - SHEFFIELD.
Anyone seen one like it or know of this maker?
I think it might have been made late 19th Century.
I think it might have been used for skinning rabbits?

Never heard of Hallam, but that is a purty knife. It is a pruner and a fine example of one to boot. I have a few, including a Worstenholm. In 69' my uncle left Ohio and moved to Pheonix Arz. When he left he gave me a single blade pruner with a black ebony handle. He told me it was a "Rose Knife". I was 13yrs old and lost it shortly after that. I have loved the pattern since and imagine these old well worn models being used to cut roses by loverly maidens in fancy English gardens. Someone used it and loved it and passed it along down the line. It is lucky to have fell to you. It WOULD make a nice little rabbit skinner.

Originally your knife had a hawk bill curve with a sharp tip. That style handle came with a few other blade styles. A Warncliff/sheepfoot blade and a spey type blade for budding and grafting. Circa 1900.

Today the hawk bill is relegated to the designation of "linoleum knife". Ahhh, where has the romance gone?

Thanks Hammer.
'preciate your comments!
You have given me a much better idea of what I have! I like it, too! It has still has a very keen edge and a crisp action.
Although there are a LOT of John Hallams listed in the records of Sheffield, there are no direct indications that any of them were Cutlers - just a couple of grinders who are NOT likely to have gotten their own brand on a blade. Even the Hallam family historians, don't seem to acknowledge that their name was branded on (some) blades!
I agree with you about it being around turn of the century, or perhaps just a little earlier.
Might find out for sure one of these days!
(Now I can't get the picture of those maidens pruning roses out of my head!) :D
Cheers :)

If you could post a good clear close up of the name on the riccasso, maybe we could find out somemore about the maker. Sorry about the visual, but it could be worse...heehee.

Hi Hammer
Here's the riccasso and the markings.
:)

Sorry about the visual, but it could be worse...heehee.

Like the spey....? :eek:

Roger

Although there are a LOT of John Hallams listed in the records of Sheffield, there are no direct indications that any of them were Cutlers - just a couple of grinders who are NOT likely to have gotten their own brand on a blade. Even the Hallam family historians, don't seem to acknowledge that their name was branded on (some) blades!


I can see records for:

James Hallam & Son, 53 Upper Edward Street, Sheffield c.1836

James Hallam, 6 Castle Hill, Sheffield c.1852

Robert Hallam, 35 Eyre Street, Sheffield and 13 Garden Street, Sheffield (1852) c. 1836-1863

Hallam or Hallamshire is of course an area of Sheffield and gives its name to the Company of Cutlers of Hallamshire who had authority over the making of cutlery and eventually steel in Sheffield.

I'll see if I can see any other names but I'm not sure I have any better references here...

Roger