Researching Wilkinson logos

archer · 28th March 2008, 02:23 AM

Following up on ifo for this Native American knife, I found a set of shears that have separate logos on the top of each blade. One says caststeel with the crown and wilkinson logo. The other has the drummer logo and I'm told reads "sound" in the logo. Are there any web sites, etc. to research the age range for these markings? Thank you for your help on this item.

Steve

Jim McDougall · 28th March 2008, 04:11 AM

Hi Steve,
This really has become a bit of a conundrum (no pun intended

, since you posted this interesting Native American knife. It is interesting that the word is now revealed as 'sound' which makes sense with the drum. I think the best course would be to check into history of utility cutlery, perhaps by finding the types of shears (you indicated these were sheep cutting shears) it might be possible to find early trademarks.
In searching for the history of merchant marks (as discussed on the trademarks thread) there are books and possibly sites carrying data on these marks.
Antique dealers who carry vintage tools and implements often have books of trademarks and stamps, so searching under those headings might be productive.
Wilkinson is of course a huge corporation which absorbed numerous smaller companies in the course of its history, and possibly might have such records. Frederick Wilkinson himself often posts over on 'antique and military swords' in the Sword Forum International site.

Wish I could offer more help...its got my curiosity going too!

All the best,
Jim

Jim McDougall · 28th March 2008, 08:49 AM

Hi Steve,
I've been searching the web for hours now, but no luck yet on the mark. I did however discover an interesting item listed in an auction though.
An old 'sheep shear blade' knife with a bear jaw handle (secured by rawhide), stated from North Dakota early 1900's, and either Assiniboine or Ojibwa.
I thought this might say more on possible period and location where this type use might be noted.
It is interesting that many trade knives came into the U.S. for American Indians, mostly of course Sheffield. It will be interesting if we can discover more on the Wilkinson shears. Could the 'sound' logo possibly be a quality type device?

Best regards,
Jim

kronckew · 28th March 2008, 11:41 AM

'nother forum i hang out at has a few threads on sheep shearer knives. this one is a newly made 'custom' Apache model. they apparently are also popular in australia.

archer · 28th March 2008, 07:43 PM

Jim and Kronckew, thanks for all your information on this one. A couple of things made Me wonder about whether someone made it up to be deceptive. First would the ability to drill this hard steel be available to a Native American who needed a knife and was clever enough to visualize this marriage. It turns out that some shears were made from three parts riveted together. Research also points out that some shears were made with the blade canted so the shearers hand cleared the sheep's body. The offset can be seen in the photo. The offset speaks to a real need for a knife, as most shears would be inline with the hilt. lastly, the copper wire wrapped around the handle doesn't have any function, the rivets solidly secure the hilt. So it looks like the wire was stored there, much as survival knives would have Parachute cord. Jim I looked at the threads you mentioned, thats a thread that should be archival and ongoing. Kronckew, I added an example of modern use of one of these blades. Could you give you pm Me the link to that forum?

Everything about this seems to say it is quite old and well used as a knife.It's the things you learn inadvertently that makes collecting and this Forum so much fun.
Steve

kronckew · 28th March 2008, 08:09 PM

pm sent

another modern example:

googling on sheep shear brings up straight and offset models of differing sizes, a whole new field of sharp pointy things. just goes to show how effective banning knives would be with all them creative opportunities out there.

28th March 2008, 02:23 AM	#1
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Researching Wilkinson logos Following up on ifo for this Native American knife, I found a set of shears that have separate logos on the top of each blade. One says caststeel with the crown and wilkinson logo. The other has the drummer logo and I'm told reads "sound" in the logo. Are there any web sites, etc. to research the age range for these markings? Thank you for your help on this item. Steve Attached Images Last edited by archer; 28th March 2008 at 07:19 AM.

28th March 2008, 07:43 PM	#5
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Thoughts on Shear bladed knife Jim and Kronckew, thanks for all your information on this one. A couple of things made Me wonder about whether someone made it up to be deceptive. First would the ability to drill this hard steel be available to a Native American who needed a knife and was clever enough to visualize this marriage. It turns out that some shears were made from three parts riveted together. Research also points out that some shears were made with the blade canted so the shearers hand cleared the sheep's body. The offset can be seen in the photo. The offset speaks to a real need for a knife, as most shears would be inline with the hilt. lastly, the copper wire wrapped around the handle doesn't have any function, the rivets solidly secure the hilt. So it looks like the wire was stored there, much as survival knives would have Parachute cord. Jim I looked at the threads you mentioned, thats a thread that should be archival and ongoing. Kronckew, I added an example of modern use of one of these blades. Could you give you pm Me the link to that forum? Everything about this seems to say it is quite old and well used as a knife.It's the things you learn inadvertently that makes collecting and this Forum so much fun. Steve Attached Images

28th March 2008, 04:11 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,952	Hi Steve, This really has become a bit of a conundrum (no pun intended , since you posted this interesting Native American knife. It is interesting that the word is now revealed as 'sound' which makes sense with the drum. I think the best course would be to check into history of utility cutlery, perhaps by finding the types of shears (you indicated these were sheep cutting shears) it might be possible to find early trademarks. In searching for the history of merchant marks (as discussed on the trademarks thread) there are books and possibly sites carrying data on these marks. Antique dealers who carry vintage tools and implements often have books of trademarks and stamps, so searching under those headings might be productive. Wilkinson is of course a huge corporation which absorbed numerous smaller companies in the course of its history, and possibly might have such records. Frederick Wilkinson himself often posts over on 'antique and military swords' in the Sword Forum International site. Wish I could offer more help...its got my curiosity going too! All the best, Jim

28th March 2008, 08:49 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,952	Hi Steve, I've been searching the web for hours now, but no luck yet on the mark. I did however discover an interesting item listed in an auction though. An old 'sheep shear blade' knife with a bear jaw handle (secured by rawhide), stated from North Dakota early 1900's, and either Assiniboine or Ojibwa. I thought this might say more on possible period and location where this type use might be noted. It is interesting that many trade knives came into the U.S. for American Indians, mostly of course Sheffield. It will be interesting if we can discover more on the Wilkinson shears. Could the 'sound' logo possibly be a quality type device? Best regards, Jim

28th March 2008, 11:41 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	'nother forum i hang out at has a few threads on sheep shearer knives. this one is a newly made 'custom' Apache model. they apparently are also popular in australia.

28th March 2008, 08:09 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	pm sent another modern example: googling on sheep shear brings up straight and offset models of differing sizes, a whole new field of sharp pointy things. just goes to show how effective banning knives would be with all them creative opportunities out there.