Thread: Big Yankee Steel?

Originally Posted by JimR

No, no, mine is sitting there still, taunting me with it's size. I wonder ...Beardsley and Alvord were in Winsted, CT--not too far from Plymouth, MA as things go. There could have been come collaboration. DO you have any info on the American Knife Co.? They may have had the same knifemakers, actually.

Jim, Goins' was quite helpful here. It turns out that there were two different Connecticut companies called the American Knife Company. One was in Thomaston ( where mine had to have been made) and the other one was in Winstead.

American Knife Co. Thomaston Conn. c 1875-1895. The American Knife Company was founded in 1849 at Reynolds Bridge, Connecticut. (a section of Plymouth Hollow) The building was originally used as a carriage factory, and then as a brass clock factory. The MOrse & Blakeslee Clock Company, on what is now Reynolds Bridge Road, was sold to the American Knife Company for the manufacture of cutlery in 1849. Mr. Daniel Catlin was the manager of the firm. In 1875, the name of the town was changed to Thomaston. In 1894, the factory at Reynolds Bridge was sold to the Northfield Knife Company of Northfield Connecticut. Both the American and Northfield Knife Company were at Reynolds Bridge until 1895. After that, only the Northfield firm remained. The Northfield Knife Company was in Thomaston through 1908, after which they returned to Northfield Connecticut. The American Knife Company was for some years a thriving concern, employing at one time over one hundred workers.

Here's another example of Big Yankee Steel...

Could that Robeson have a 7/8+ blade? Sure looks like it! I'll it bet it is a remarkable shaver, besides looking imposing. Thanks for the pic-I had no idea Robesons grew that big.

Originally Posted by Croaker

Could that Robeson have a 7/8+ blade? ... I had no idea Robesons grew that big.

+1 Now I won't be able to sleep till I find one!!

Originally Posted by Croaker

Could that Robeson have a 7/8+ blade? Sure looks like it! I'll it bet it is a remarkable shaver, besides looking imposing. Thanks for the pic-I had no idea Robesons grew that big.

Yes, it does -- around 8/8 depending on how and where measured. It does shave quite well, as you'd expect.

Originally Posted by Joed

+1 Now I won't be able to sleep till I find one!!

Well now, it's just payback for all those sweet hauls you've been posting up around here.

I am GREEN with envy!

Delicious yankee steel... I was out scrounging the antique shops today and found (granted it was a small blade and not knowing the company couldnt justify it on my budget) a "new"(to me) blade manufacturer out of Lynn mass think the name started with an H? oh why didn't I write it down...