Rare Antique Farriers or Horseman’s Folding Multi-Function Knife with Stag Horn Grip by Joseph Rodgers & Sons c1880

Here on offer is a rare and unusual antique Farriers or Horseman’s folding multi-function knife with fine stag horn grip scales, by Joseph Rodgers & Sons, circa 1880.

I cannot find another example of this type of knife, or any reference to it in Joseph Rodgers & Sons reference material, but clearly, they made them!

A hoof knife is a tool used by farriers to trim and shape the hooves of horses and other animals with hooves. The blade of the hoof knife is sharp and curved, allowing the farrier to make precise cuts and remove excess material from the hoof. This is important for maintaining the health and balance of the hoof, as well as for preventing and treating certain hoof conditions, such as laminitis and thrush. Hoof knives can also be used to remove loose or damaged hoof wall, to clean the frog and sole of the hoof and to create a bevel on the hoof wall for shoeing. Overall, a hoof knife is a key tool for farriers and other professionals who work with horses and other animals with hooves.

This knife has a large blunt edged folding hoof blade with a folded and rounded tip. It has a sharp edge, where it curves, that would be used to remove damaged hoof wall, etc.

It is stamped on one side with the maker’s details, being:

RODGERS
CUTLERS TO
HER MAJESTY

This clearly dates this knife to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, 1837 to 1901.

On the other side it is stamped with the Jospeh Rodgers makers mark of the “Star and Maltese cross” stamp.

The Star and Maltese cross marks were originally that of Benjamin Rich. Rogers registered the same mark in 1764.

The knife also has a small 2.25” single edged blade, that has a sharp 2” cutting edge and nail pull. The blade has been sharpened over the years and I assume it would have been slightly longer when it was made? There are no markings I can see on the blade.

Both blades open against their strings and lock securely in place with no wobble.

They both now have a dulled grey finish with some age staining, but given their age have a great patina.

The grip scales are made from some sections of fine stag horn and they are in perfect undamaged condition, which is rare to find on such antique knives, especially as this would have been used as a “tool”.

They are fitted to the steel liners by five steel pins and fit tightly against the ribbed steel bolster.

The tip of the bolster is fitted with a flat end screwdriver.

At the other end of the grips, one side has a pair of steel tweezers inserted and the other a long steel picker/pin. Both can be removed using a finger nail.

Both these tools now show some light pitting to the finish, but are actually in great condition and it’s amazing they haven’t been lost over the years.

Highly collectible today, Joseph Rodgers knives are among the most respected and sought after, particularly their early and innovative folding knives, such as this example.

This is a very scarce knife made by the company who made knives for Victorian royalty and makes a great addition to any antique knife collection……. I can’t find another one like it!

The slightly curved hoof blade measures 3.2” (8cm) long and the small blade is 2.25” (5.6cm) long.
When closed the knife measures 4.25” (10.8cm) long and it weighs 123g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

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Code: 52348