As always we are preparing for the vast array of different auctions coming up in the next few months. We are holding a collectable knife and pen knife sale on 22nd August so some of the team have been really busy sorting and preparing the auction descriptions for that sale. It’s a single owner collection from a deceased estate from Nottinghamshire. The owner collected the knives throughout his life and enjoyed visited antique centres, car boot sales and auctions to find interesting and unusual knives to add to his collection.There are hundreds and hundreds of different knives which will be divided into around 250 lots. There is something for everyone from pretty silver and mother of pearl pen knives, multi blade pen knives, Bowie knives and even one or two beautiful Stan Shaw knives. The owner also had an interest in military items so there are a number of  military knives, bayonets and trench art in his collection which will be included in our specialist military sale which is also being held on 22nd August.

Originally pen knives were used for thinning or pointing quills to prepare them for use as dip pens and later for repairing or repointing the nib. In the mid 1800’s penknives were necessary to slice the uncut edges of newspapers and books. The pen knife did not necessarily have a folding blade but might resemble a scalpel or chisel by having a short fixed blade at the end of a longer handle. During the 20th century there was a vast array of multi function pocket knives with assorted blades and gadgets the most famous of course being the Swiss Army Knife.

Sheffield  was home to many talented knife and pen knife makers the most famous being Stan Shaw (1927-2021). Stan was a  master cutler and craftsman known as the “Little Mester”. Born in Worrall in Sheffield, one of eight children. In 1941 he gained an apprenticeship at the famous cutlers George Ibberson’s he learnt his craft. In 1983 he became an independent cutlery maker or “little mester” and had a workshop in Garden Street later moving to Kelham Island Museum in 2009. He was made a Honorary Freeman of the company of cutlers in 2003 and was awarded the British Empire medal in 2017. 

He was well known for his multi bladed exhibition knives which were beautifully presented in wooden cases and often had a four-year waiting list. The Royal family are known to have several of Stan’s knives and even Elvis Presley was a collector and fan!

Sheffield Auction Gallery recently sold a fifteen-blade exhibition knife for £4,800, it had mother of pearl scales and exquisite hand engraved silver bolsters. Often Stan numbered his knives and this one was numbered 11 and had a screw driver, scissors, pruner blade, corn blade, button hook and a whole range of other useful features.

Other notable pen knife makers to look out for are Saynor, Wostenholme, T. W. Ablett, Herbert Edgwick and J. Howarth to name just a few. The more blades and the finer details are of course more collectable and valuable. A collection can be started quite cheaply from about £20 upwards but always buy the best you can afford. My tip is to buy one better quality knife for say £100 rather than five £20 examples this way your investment will hopefully grow in value. Myself, or my colleague Sarah  are always happy to pass on our knowledge and expertise and answer any questions you may have.