Explanation: The purpose of LINKS is to facilitate access to other sources of information on antique Sheffield knives that may supplement (or conflict with) information contained on the CASK website. The value of a specific link is normally a personal opinion based on a collector’s experience in using that link, so if you are considering nominating a link for inclusion here – please provide a brief summary as to why you consider that it will be useful for other collectors of antique Sheffield knives. I also consider it appropriate to include the name of the nominee – such as “UK collector John Doe recommends … website as it is an excellent source of information on … etc. etc. …”.
The links that I found useful over the last many years are:
Name on a knife blade (https://hawleysheffieldknives.com/) I understand that this website is managed by the Hawley Collection Trust and provides online access to Geoffrey Tweedale’s – “Tweedale’s Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2013 [2nd edition]” which is frequently referenced in my Collector Notes.
Military and Antique Knives (http://www.militaryandantiqueknives.co.uk/) This is the website of Ron Flook – a highly respected expert on military knives and the author of three books that are referenced in many of my Collector Notes. What I consider impressive is the list of 52 knife articles written by Ron that are itemised on the “Home” page of the website (you need to scroll down for a bit). His “My Library” is also most interesting.
Military Knives and Daggers of the World (http://gotavapen.se/market/index.php) This is also on Ron Flook’s Links list which he describes as an “internet forum where members can discuss and show items of common interest”. As the name suggests it covers a vast range of topics; mine focus on two topics under the “Britain and Commonwealth” heading, being: “Commonwealth Military Knives” and “British clasp knives”. This is where I first made contact with my colleague and collaborator Martin Cook (“Cooky”).
Bernard Levine’s Knife related links page (https://www.knife-expert.com/links.htm) This is a vast storehouse of links to knife related websites, together with an extensive list of his own writings under the heading “Knife Publications – List of my Knife Books and articles”, and also a fascinating “List of Older Knife Books”.
Australian Military Knives (http://www.australianmilitaryknives.com/ ) This is the website of Australian collector and commentator John Kroezen (Dutchy), and the stated aim of the site is to become a resource to collectors of Australian Military Knives. It has been the intention to cover all of the operational knives used by the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force.”
Forums: I have been a follower of BladeForums (https://www.bladeforums.com/) for many years, and am currently following “Sheffield Pocket Knives And Fixed Blades” (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1381125832141137) and “Military Jack Knives From Around The World” (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1802219413312074) which I consider most interesting. However, as they are all ‘chat groups’ – the relevance of a particular knife is limited to a couple of days and then they become increasingly difficult to search due to a lack of categorizing.
Trademarks On Base-Metal Tableware. https://sha.org/assets/documents/Trademarks%20on%20Base-Metal%20Tableware.pdf This link was provided courtesy of Bruce Rolph on the “Military Jack Knives From Around The World” website on Facebook. It is a vast compendium (347 pages) of information on “Late 18th century to circa 1900 (including marks on Britannia metal, iron, steel, copper alloys and silver-plated goods)”, including all types of cutlery.