18th Century Folding Knives.

On this episode, we go into detail on 2 common style of pocket knives used during the 1700's.

[@Jackknife1951]

Wow, fancy that. Way back when people were more 'hands on' in the 17th and 18th century, they didn't bother with thumb studs, waved opening, thumb holes, and fancy blade locks. Just a simple cutting tool was all they needed. A little lesson for modern knife nuts who think they need a tactical knife that is capable of prying open a tank hatch.

[@Mikes_Life]

And just imagine if they could have gotten their hands on a Victorinox classic sd ;)

[@2gpowell]

Excellent tutorial ! Sometimes I sit back on a rainy day and watch your videos several times over. Great craftsmanship and great videos !

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Most kind of you! We really appreciate it! Thank you!

[@dougwatkins5441]

I can't believe I' just found your channel I love history and especially colonial 1700's thru Civil War to early 1900's and pocket knife history great video

[@ianrosie4431]

I've been digging into the origins of the 'Jack' knife and arrived at the French Siamois as a candidate. Thanks for making this wonderful vid. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Thank you!

[@susanwutz8606]

I never knew they had those so many years ago! Fascinating!

[@HoffmanReproductions]

They had a nice variety back then, Thank you!

[@kleinjahr]

Folders have been around since at least the Romans.

[@denniswyse3590]

Thank You for the great info on these old knives

[@onehappycampster]

Great video. Thank you. The French clasp and boucheron knives really catch my eye.

[@georgerobartes2008]

The English Penny , I believe youll find derived its name from penne ( ' quill or feather ') used for cutting quills for pens . They are still called " Pen knives " in the UK and is their proper and traditional name .

[@ScottMason-ss8ww]

That's why in England we still call the penne knives, because that's what they were used for... Sharpening quils.

[@dangilliam6972]

Of all of the period gear, reproductions, all the stuff I have always had an interest in, you just found something that I had NEVER seen, heard of, or even thought about. I don't know why, sounds like they were pretty much normal fare then as now, but it just never crossed my mind. Thank you! :-) Wonder how long it took them to figure out that all they had to do was add a spring and boom! instant switchblade. I can hear that conversation now between two redcoats- "That yank reached in his pocket, and presented what appeared to be a stick. He tossed an apple in the air, we heard a click, and the apple hit the ground peeled, cored, and quartered. Then he turned and looked at us, and ran the blade across his tongue before closing it. We exited with the utmost haste."

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Thank you for watching! Yes Sir, folding knives and their history is a very interesting study!

[@mwillblade]

Mid nineteenth century switchblades were made.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Interesting to note that to this dayknives very similar to these 2 patterns are still common, to England, the British Army Jack Knife, and France, the Laguiole, the standard knife seen today, the Laguiole even has the extended lever shaped as a Bee.

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Very cool!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Nice knives. Thanks for showing us and take care.

[@drewwhite5601]

Brilliant video,and absolutely beautifully crafted knives I take my hat off to you 👍

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Thank you!

[@rebeccaback3287]

I have learned something from this video. I did not know about these knives.Keep up the good work. God bless you. David Back from Menifee county Kentucky.

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Thank you!

[@benjaminblabla]

On the french knife, the "lentille" was used to help opening the knife with one hand only (piemontais system, I believe)

[@briansherrillruralliving9708]

A pocket knife is something one doesn't always think about. Well, I guess I do in a way as I feel naked if I don't have one. That said I wasn't aware a pocket knife goes back to the 1600s. Very interesting and thanks for the video

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Me too! Never leave the house with out one. Yes indeed, folding knives actually date back to Biblical times. Thanks so much!

[@vladimirkovacevic1656]

beautiful knives

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Thank you!

[@jelkel25]

Maybe every person who worked on the lathes in Sheffield had a slightly different style? I presuming if you were particularly broke or trying to save your money you could buy the blade blank just like now and get your own handle turned or do it yourself. I know this was very common with fixed blades, axes, hatchets ect, why not folders? The importers could pack a lot more blades without handles into a crate on a ship than with as well as cut down the production time so you probably got a much better deal.

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Cool Vid. Just picked up a mid 1700’s-Revolutionary War pocket knife for $9 . It’s still intact. Loose & Rusty of course . I’ll clean it up a little-but leave the patina. Blade is marked. I’ll have to get my Loupe’ out to try & make it out.

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Thank you! Very cool!

[@joemolf3894]

Nice Ben

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Thank you!

[@billpotter7162]

I wonder at what point the Barlow style made it's first appearance in America? Late 18th or early 19th Century?

[@marycahill546]

Very interesting. Sheffield, UK still makes the Barlow type folding knife. What about Spanish or Portuguese knives? How old is the French Opinel type knife design? Keep up the good work!

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Thank you Mary! Not sure on the Spanish. I know they played a roll in trade here in USA during the 1700's down south. French designs date from 1600's on up. However, even the ancient Romans had folding knives. Very old concept.

[@UDTGHOST420]

They called a penny knife because it cost a penny

[@alphamale3643]

any idea where i can buy some really old vintage knifes from like 1700s and earlier? I would love to add some to my collection.

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Try eBay. Sometimes they pop up there.

[@alphamale3643]

@@HoffmanReproductions I ended up finding and buying a 1700s penny knife from Ebay. It has a heart and a 3 leaf clover ingraved in the blade. Wonder how much its worth.

[@HoffmanReproductions]

@@alphamale3643 Very cool! Nice find! Not sure on value.

[@alphamale3643]

How do you spelll the french knife? I've been trying to search and cant find it. "Simoa?" "Simwah"?

[@garrockwaters304]

Is that an Opinel I see?

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

Hoffman Reproductions Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HoffmanReproductions]

Most kind of you! Thank you!

[@user-km4xl1bd3h]

Sorry, you have been talking rubbish, i should know as I used to work in a museum , these are not 18 century knives, they are 20 century for sure,

[@HoffmanReproductions]

How am I talking rubbish? I made these knives myself. All are copies of originals from the 1700's down to the smallest details. I never said they were originals.

[@columbiariverpussycat3769]

I found a pocket knife on a auction site that claims its from the revolutionary war. What do I look for to make sure I'm not getting scammed?

[@HoffmanReproductions]

May I have the link? Would be happy to give you my opinion.