This is truly another facet to the Shotley/Oley saga!
It of course seems that swordmakers needed to broaden their horizons so to speak, to keep up the income. Sword demand was more specialized while the need for utility blades was a constant.
These were understandably austere as the larger and dynamic shops at nearby Sheffield were tending to the more niche type knives and blades, such as 'Bowies' and other.
Its interesting to see the Oley name stamped into the blade as an example, which indicates he did have such a stamp......have any sword blades ever been found stamped with his name?
During the notable 'sword scandals' of the 1790s in Birmingham, there were only a few British makers, with Gill at the fore stirring things up. His adversary James Wooley, and of course Henry Osborn were the contenders submitting blades, with Runkel apparently representing the German side.
Most curious is the inclusion of Oley, who is never listed among British makers in most references, but was apparently a notable 'silent' contributor supplying British cutlers.
The numbers of blades marked SHOTLEY are relatively few, and more so with Oley as far as I know.
Most interesting and important addition to the scope of these studies! The style of the top two are very much in line with 'frontier knives' seen in America from late 18th into early 19th c. and the 'jack' knife typical of the fold in blade knives early attributed to maritime use which as we know became ubiquitous with everyday use by virtually all men, still are !
Thank you Keith!
All best
Jim
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