Improvements in or applicable to Knives, and in the Tools used for Certain Portions thereof.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
Improvements in or applicable to Knives, and in the Tools used for
Certain Portions thereof.
We, GEORGE SHARPE of Argyle Works White Croft, Sheffield, Tool Maker,
EDWARD ATKINSON and JOHN FURNISS ATKINSON trading together as
Atkinson Brothers, at Milton Works, Milton Street, Sheffield, Cutlery Manu-
facturers do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of our invention is to reduce cost and weight in various classes of
knives usually furnished with handles of various materials.
To accomplish this we proceed as follows: From sheets or strips of suitable
steel we punch or cut out in one piece a blank or blade including a sufficient
portion out of which to also form the handle. By a second operation we punch
out of the central part of the portion intended for handle so much of the steel as is
not required therein, and thereby having produced a blank by means that are well
known and understood we place it under the tools to be next described and by
means thereof force down the material of the handle from the flat into an edgeways
shape, at the same time twisting the roots or portions springing direct from the
blade or cutting portion and by suitable pressure leave all flat and in proper form
for use so far as shape and material of handle are concerned.
The improved tools necessary for the last described process may be used in any
ordinary machine and either worked by hand or other power: We vary the outline
of the parts according to the design or shape of handle required, but in all cases
we maintain the proportions of the several shoulders, projections and other working
parts strictly to correspond with the dimensions of the material to be operated
upon by the said tools in order to reverse the lay of the steel forming the handle.
And in order that our invention may be more readily understood, we will now
proceed to explain the drawings annexed hereto. Wherein
Fig. 1. (Sheet 1) represents a blank A. B. as cut out by the first operation
referred to. Fig. 2. represents the same after surplus material has been punched
out and removed from B.
Fig. 3. illustrates side of an improved finished knife with the material forming
the handle reversed to present to the users hand a comparatively broad surface, as
further shown in edge view Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 (Sheet 2) is a side elevation of the top pressing tool C with side
shoulders D and flatting piece E. Fig. 6. being an end elevation thereof, and
Fig. 7, an under plan of the same.
Fig. 8. is a top view in plan of the bed or bottom tool F with a gauge or guide
piece G attached thereto.
Fig. 9. is an edge view partly in section of bed F likewise with gauge G.
Having fixed both these tools in any machine of sufficient power and capable of
accurate vertical movement, we take a prepared and heated blank A. B place the
portion B inside the gauge G and cause the top tool C to descend upon the flat
part of B thereby driving the material down into the recess of bottom tool F
twisting the roots and forcing the material into a reversed or edgeways position
until the side shoulders D and flatting piece E come into contact with the edge
of B and the flat side of A. respectively, thus making all perfectly flat, and of the
required shape at one operation.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :
1. The method of producing a knife and handle out of one piece of thin steel,
the handle whereof presents a flat instead of its edge surface to the users hand,
substantially as described and illustrated.
2. The construction, formation and application of a pair of pressing and shaping
tools for the purpose of reversing the lay of the material of the handle part of a
knife blank for the purposes set forth, and substantially as described and
illustrated.
Dated this Fifth day of Movah 1001
ISAAC BECK, C.P.A.,
Agent for the Applicants.