Blades of the Past: A Collector’s Guide to Antique Pocket and Pen Knives

Antique knife collecting has long fascinated historians, hobbyists, and everyday enthusiasts alike. Among the most sought-after categories are pocket knives, pen knives, and related folding knives, prized for their craftsmanship, historical significance, and aesthetic appeal. These knives not only reflect advances in engineering but also offer a window into the cultural and practical needs of different eras.

Pocket knives, broadly defined as folding knives with one or more blades, date back to the early Iron Age. However, the true boom in pocket knife manufacturing occurred during the 18th and 19th centuries, when industrialization allowed companies to produce high-quality tools at scale. Knives from venerable makers like Sheffield (England), Solingen (Germany), and early American firms like Case, Schrade, and Remington are especially prized by collectors today.

Pen knives, a subcategory of pocket knives, were originally designed in the 18th and 19th centuries to sharpen quill pens. These knives are typically smaller, more delicate, and elegant in form often featuring mother-of-pearl, bone, ivory, or tortoiseshell handles. Because they were both decorative and functional, pen knives were popular accessories for gentlemen and ladies alike. Today, collectors seek these knives for their fine craftsmanship and ornate design.

The appeal of collecting antique knives lies in several factors. First, there is the history: every knife tells a story. Military knives, for example, may have been carried in war, while a gentleman’s pocket knife might have been a treasured heirloom passed through generations. Second, the materials and manufacturing techniques used in old knives, such as hand-forged carbon steel blades and hand-pinned handles are rarely seen in today’s mass-produced products. These elements make antique knives not just tools, but works of art.

Condition, rarity, and provenance are critical when evaluating a collectible knife. A knife in near-mint condition, with its original blade shape and handle materials intact, can fetch far more than a similar piece that has been heavily used or altered. Original packaging, documentation and maker’s marks can further enhance value. Some collectors specialize by brand or country, while others may focus on specific handle materials or blade types.

For anyone looking to enter the hobby, the best advice is to start small and learn continuously. Researching the history of different knife makers, studying identifying features, and handling a variety of pieces will build both knowledge and appreciation. Whether drawn to the elegance of a Victorian-era pen knife or the rugged utility of a World War I trench knife, collectors find that antique knives offer more than just steel and bone, they offer a tangible link to the past.

Fieldings are delighted to offer Part I of a single owner collection of Knives belonging to Charles Smith, lots 705 - 808

Charles Smith starting collecting pocket knives as a young boy, firstly with penknives, but as he grew so did the size and variety of his collection. Sheffield steel knives were always his favourite and he enjoyed nothing more than attending the 'Big Brum' antiques fair in Birmingham, as well as other fairs at the National Motorcycle Museum, Shrewsbury and Malvern to try to find interesting additions to his collection. 

Charles got to know the Sheffield pocket knife maker or 'Little Mester' Stan Shaw very well and would regularly buy knives directly from him. Stan called Charles an avid collector and there are over thirty of his knives alone in the upcoming auction sale of part one of Charles's collection. 

Part One of the Charles Smith Single Owner Collection of Pocket Knives will take place on Friday 16^th May and will include British made knives from the 19^th Century through to the present day, by makers such as Joseph Rodgers, W. Saynor, W. Thornhill & Co, John Slater & Sons, Wade & Butcher, George Butler & Co, George Wostenholm, George Ibberson, Arthur Wright, Trevor Ablett and Stan Shaw amongst others.

Part Two of the collection will feature later in the summer and is scheduled to include some more traditional British pocket knives and penknives, as well as Swiss, German and American made examples.  

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CHARLES SMITH COLLECTION OF KNIVES LOTS 705-808

Do you have a collection of antique knives you wish to sell at auction, please get in touch with our specialist Andrew Mayall

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ANDREW 

Posted on 8 May 2025 in: Auction life