LEATHER WORKING LUNETTE KNIFE

Jim McDougall · 20th January 2023, 02:29 AM

This item found in an antique shop was thought to be a 19th c. flensing knife, but there is little info on these. There seems to be a number of variations, but this lunette shape is seen on a couple of examples I found.

The first pics are of the example, which has an unusual makers mark.

The other is with a longer handle and of mid 19th c Maine.

Another example with handle like mine and similar blade is from NE England, Whitby, and used in 19th c.

Any chance anyone out there has ever seen anything like this, or the makers mark ?

JoeCanada42 · 20th January 2023, 06:00 AM

James Dixon Victorian Flensing Knife or Ulu c1850-60. Whaling Industry History. Antique Sheffield Knives.

similar and the history on the listing is fun

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/7701...isting_details

sorry I haven't found one with the mark, but a lot of Ulu's have similar shape

JoeCanada42 · 20th January 2023, 06:02 AM

https://www.thepaintboxgarden.com/ul...uaq-greenland/

more info

Richard G · 20th January 2023, 03:43 PM

I regret to say I think it is rather more mundane. A leatherworker's or saddler's round knife.

https://hwebber.co.uk/shop/c-s-osbor...IaAgn_EALw_wcB

Best wishes
Richard

Jim McDougall · 20th January 2023, 05:17 PM

Thank you so much guys!
Naturally my hopes were for the whaling use, but I had seen the more mundane description as a leather working knife. It seems those in listing mentioned the alternative leather work use prudently, while the heading was for the whalers use.

Is it possible these might have became a 'crossover' or duplicate items?
In images of flensing tools, many seem to have longer handles, in fact notably so, but with same lunette style handle.

It would seem that the longer handle would be needed considering the size of the whale, but the smaller version in different stage where a long handle was inconvenient?

I hope the topic of 'whaling' is not disturbing to many readers, but my intent is toward historic aspects as always. There is very little in resources on these kinds of antiques, unless in specialized maritime antiquities firms or sellers.

Even if a more 'mundane' object, this example still has interest as an antique item, and hopefully the marking might be found. I have checked Levine's "Guide to Knives"(4th Ed.) but no luck.

fernando · 20th January 2023, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I hope the topic of 'whaling' is not disturbing to many readers ...

You bet it is , Jim ... historic or not !

20th January 2023, 02:29 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,938	LEATHER WORKING LUNETTE KNIFE This item found in an antique shop was thought to be a 19th c. flensing knife, but there is little info on these. There seems to be a number of variations, but this lunette shape is seen on a couple of examples I found. The first pics are of the example, which has an unusual makers mark. The other is with a longer handle and of mid 19th c Maine. Another example with handle like mine and similar blade is from NE England, Whitby, and used in 19th c. Any chance anyone out there has ever seen anything like this, or the makers mark ? Attached Images

20th January 2023, 06:00 AM	#2
JoeCanada42 Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Canada Posts: 259	James Dixon Victorian Flensing Knife or Ulu c1850-60. Whaling Industry History. Antique Sheffield Knives. similar and the history on the listing is fun https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/7701...isting_details sorry I haven't found one with the mark, but a lot of Ulu's have similar shape Attached Images

20th January 2023, 06:02 AM	#3
JoeCanada42 Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Canada Posts: 259	https://www.thepaintboxgarden.com/ul...uaq-greenland/ more info

20th January 2023, 03:43 PM	#4
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 405	I regret to say I think it is rather more mundane. A leatherworker's or saddler's round knife. https://hwebber.co.uk/shop/c-s-osbor...IaAgn_EALw_wcB Best wishes Richard

20th January 2023, 05:17 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,938	Thank you so much guys! Naturally my hopes were for the whaling use, but I had seen the more mundane description as a leather working knife. It seems those in listing mentioned the alternative leather work use prudently, while the heading was for the whalers use. Is it possible these might have became a 'crossover' or duplicate items? In images of flensing tools, many seem to have longer handles, in fact notably so, but with same lunette style handle. It would seem that the longer handle would be needed considering the size of the whale, but the smaller version in different stage where a long handle was inconvenient? I hope the topic of 'whaling' is not disturbing to many readers, but my intent is toward historic aspects as always. There is very little in resources on these kinds of antiques, unless in specialized maritime antiquities firms or sellers. Even if a more 'mundane' object, this example still has interest as an antique item, and hopefully the marking might be found. I have checked Levine's "Guide to Knives"(4th Ed.) but no luck.