G. Wostenholm & Son, Washington Works, Sheffield, The Hunters Companion

[Shreckmeister]

I'm thinking this old boy saw a lot of use

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[jaeren]

And a lot of abuse. Its a shame most people use to much stone or worse a file to sharpen knifes. I've seen what looked like a great collectible knife have virtually  no blade left. I've had people tell me old grandpa's hand forged axe won't hold an edge. When in fact its been sharpened past the steel insert. Still a nice old knife.

[heinz]

Classic English Bowie of the mid to late 19th century. Probably started off with antler slab handles, a different cross guard and I*XL on the bolster. Good steel and looks like a long hard career. Earlier I*XL s are marked "Rockingham Works"
 

[L Moler]

No matter if you use a steel, a stone, or a file, if you used your knife, eventually you used it up..
Unless of course, you used it as belt jewelry.

[Natureboy]

  In my mother's kitchen drawer, there was a very old chef's knife, that probably started out life with a 2" wide blade.  It had been sharpened over the years, and was only about 1/4" wide, a ribbon of steel that still cut great.

[Shreckmeister]

  In my mother's kitchen drawer, there was a very old chef's knife, that probably started out life with a 2" wide blade.  It had been sharpened over the years, and was only about 1/4" wide, a ribbon of steel that still cut great.

Seen many of those in junk shops.

[Natureboy]

  "Use it up, wear it out.  Make it do, or do without."

[jdm]

It's amazing what an important part knives play in our lives. It's a shame these old soldiers go by largely unnoticed. Every home in America has one and has from before the beginning of our country.

[Shreckmeister]

I have had one in my pocket every day of my life since I was 13 when dad gave me a case XX folder. And yes even at school