Dutch Knife - ?

cornelistromp · 20th March 2009, 08:21 AM

Hello Peter,

Herewith a Dutchknife with a similar lion from my collection.

regards

pbleed · 20th March 2009, 11:39 PM

Dear All,
Thank you all for the replies and wonderful reactions. Cornell, your knife is terrific. I think mine is probably a "poor guy's" version of that kind of knife. I pretty sure that the tip of my knife was made with a straight edge and a low clip to the point. Cornell's blade, however, suggests that it may not be as reshaped as I had thought. The comments also got me to study the difference of "fruitwood" and boxwoof, etc. So much to learn!
Thanks
Peter

Jim McDougall · 21st March 2009, 02:27 AM

Outstanding match !!!
I am still curious about exactly what these knives were, belt knives as noted, or could they have been part of a trousse set. Seem a bit decorative for a simple everyday knife.
I'd like to learn a bit more about fruitwood vs. boxwood etc. I often wonder what makes one wood chosen over another, aside from obviously, availability. Apparantly boxwood carves well, and is used for chess pieces etc.

The selection of certain woods certainly seems to be potential for some interesting studies, especially as applied to use in weapons, such as the wood for the shillelagh (on another thread), ash for lances, the yew for bows, and in the case of boxwood (the 'dudgeon' of the daggers as distinctively mentioned in Shakespeare and other literary embellishment).

Best regards,
Jim

cornelistromp · 22nd March 2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbleed

Dear All,
Thank you all for the replies and wonderful reactions. Cornell, your knife is terrific. I think mine is probably a "poor guy's" version of that kind of knife. I pretty sure that the tip of my knife was made with a straight edge and a low clip to the point. Cornell's blade, however, suggests that it may not be as reshaped as I had thought. The comments also got me to study the difference of "fruitwood" and boxwoof, etc. So much to learn!
Thanks
Peter

Hi Peter, I absolutely don't agree, your knife is beautiful and of a museal quality. I found a pocket knife in the Solingen klingen Museum (btw yours is a nicer one) with similar grip and symbols. I also found all the symbols used on a 17thC cup in my collection .please see picture for the pocket knife, it is damaged but you also can see the remains of the Dutch lion.

symbols on your knife:

1. female with children STANDS FOR C(H)ARITAS.... CHARITY
2. female with sword STANDS FOR IUSTITIA .....JUSTICE
3. female with the bird STANDS FOR SPES (esperans).......HOPE
4. last but not least the lion on top stands for Holland.

(also prudentia,fortitud,temperant,fides had their own symbols.)

the dating of early 17thC is correct,unfortunately it is not possible to say if this knife stands on his own or belonged to a 2 piece set.

in all aspect a remarkable knife in a very good condition.

regards from Holland

20th March 2009, 08:21 AM	#1
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	dutch knife 1600 Hello Peter, Herewith a Dutchknife with a similar lion from my collection. regards Attached Images

20th March 2009, 11:39 PM	#2
pbleed Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 89	Dear All, Thank you all for the replies and wonderful reactions. Cornell, your knife is terrific. I think mine is probably a "poor guy's" version of that kind of knife. I pretty sure that the tip of my knife was made with a straight edge and a low clip to the point. Cornell's blade, however, suggests that it may not be as reshaped as I had thought. The comments also got me to study the difference of "fruitwood" and boxwoof, etc. So much to learn! Thanks Peter

21st March 2009, 02:27 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,298	Outstanding match !!! I am still curious about exactly what these knives were, belt knives as noted, or could they have been part of a trousse set. Seem a bit decorative for a simple everyday knife. I'd like to learn a bit more about fruitwood vs. boxwood etc. I often wonder what makes one wood chosen over another, aside from obviously, availability. Apparantly boxwood carves well, and is used for chess pieces etc. The selection of certain woods certainly seems to be potential for some interesting studies, especially as applied to use in weapons, such as the wood for the shillelagh (on another thread), ash for lances, the yew for bows, and in the case of boxwood (the 'dudgeon' of the daggers as distinctively mentioned in Shakespeare and other literary embellishment). Best regards, Jim