MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF KNIVES AND FORKS
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edwin Darwin at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd June 1880.
WILLIAM EDWIN DARWIN, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF KNIVES AND FORKS."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of knives and forks, and more
particularly to those with metallic or partly metallic handles, the object of the
Invention being to simplify the construction and to increase the durability of the
said articles, and it consists chiefly in forming the metallic handle, or a portion of
the metallic handle, in combination with the bolster, in two parts or halves, which
are afterwards joined together in the usual way and secured to the blade by
soldering or similar means.
In carrying out my Invention, as applied to the manufacture of a table knife
with a metallic handle, for example, I construct the combined handle and bolster
in two parts or halves (the division being a longitudinal one) by stamping in the
usual manner, so that half the handle and half the bolster are forined out of one
piece of metal, the two parts are then secured together by soldering or other similar
means.
A suitable opening is provided at the bolster end of the handle to receive a short
tang which is formed ou the blade, and by preference there are two shoulders to
prevent the blade pressing too far into the handle and to strengthen the con-
struction by bearing against the handle. The blade being placed in position in
the handle, the two parts are firmly secured together by hard soldering, brazing,
or other similar means.
In some cases it is desirable to make only a portion of the handle of metal, the
lower part being made of ivory or other material; but in all cases I make the
complete handle or portion of a handle in halves, each half being in combination
with the half of the bolster and out of the same piece of metal, afterwards
joining the two halves together, and securing them to the blade by soldering or
brazing.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edwin Darwin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
December 1880..
WILLIAM EDWIN DARWIN, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF KNIVES AND FORKS."
"IMPROVE-
The said Invention relates to the manufacture of knives and forks, and more
particularly to those with metallic or partly metallic handles, the object of my
Invention being to simplyfy the method of construction and also to increase the
durability of such articles, and it consists principally in forming the "bolster" in
combination with and out of the same piece of metal that the handle is made from,
such handles being made usually in halves, and afterwards joined together by
soldering or other similar means.
In carrying out my Invention, as applied to the manufacture of a butter or fish-
eating knife for example, as shown in the Drawings, I construct the combined
handle and bolster in two parts or halves, the line of division being a longitudinal
one, by stamping the parts or halves from suitable sheet-metal, so that half the
handle combined with half the bolster are formed out of one piece of metal at the
same operation. The fash or extra metal is then cut off and the two parts are
secured together by soldering, forming a complete handle and bolster. A suitable
opening is provided at the bolster end of the bandle to receive a short tang which
is formed on the blade, and by preference I form two small shoulders for the
purpose of preventing the blade entering too far into the handle, and to increase
the strength at that part by forming a bearing against the bolster.
tang being inserted in the handle, and the blade being in position, the parts are
firmly secured to each other by hardsolderings, brazing, or other similar means.
The short
It may in some cases be desirable to make the upper portion of the handle, or
that part nearest to the blade, and which is usually termed a ferrule, and the
bolster, as before described, of one uninterupted length of metal, the lower part or
handle proper being of ivory, wood, or other suitable material; but in all cases
I make the metal part of the handle or ferrule in combination with the bolster
and out of the same continuous piece of metal in the manner before described.
And in order that my Invention may be more fully understood, I shall now
proceed to more particularly describe the same by referring to the several Figures
on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 represents the half of a metallic handle and bolster, with the fash or
excess of metal as received from the stamping dies; A is the fash; B is the half
impression of handle; C is the bolster.
Figure 2 represents a complete handle and bolster, with an end view showing the
opening D for the tang E, shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3 represents the blade and handle and an edge view of the blade, with
the tang E, and the shoulders are shown at F.
Figure 4 represents a finished and complete knife.
Figure 5 represents the combination of the ferrule and bolster when the handle
is to be of ivory, wood, or similar substance.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The manufacture of knives and forks, the bolsters of which are made in

page_text: combination with and out of the same continuous piece of metal as the handle, and
are afterwards secured to the blade, substantially as described and illustrated.
2nd. The manufacture of knives and forks, the bolsters of which are made in
combination with and out of the same continuous piece of metal as the ferrule,
the handle being made of some other substance, substantially as described and
illustrated, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edwin Darwin, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of November, in the year of
our Lord 1880.
WILLIAM EDWIN DARWIN. (L.S.)