Penknives

The penknife is a small folding knife, originally designed to trim the quill feathers used for writing before the widespread adoption of the metal nib pen. From the 18th century onwards, this desk instrument became a common pocket accessory, produced in increasingly refined versions as the craft of cutlery advanced. In the 19th century and at the turn of the 20th, the great centres of production — Thiers in the Auvergne, Sheffield in England, Solingen in Germany — delivered remarkable series, combining mechanical precision with meticulous attention to detail. Certain makers such as Pradel, Cognet or Rodgers applied their signature to these pieces, a hallmark of controlled craftsmanship and reliable mechanism.

The materials used for the handles reflect both the status of the object and the era of its manufacture: mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, black horn, ivory or exotic woods dress the everyday or bourgeois pieces, while solid silver — sometimes chiselled or guilloché — distinguishes the luxury examples. Some penknives feature one or more blades, and even additional accessories — an awl, a toothpick, a corkscrew — making them true pocket necessaries.

For a collector, several criteria guide evaluation. The condition of the blades is paramount: an uncorroded blade retaining its original polish and edge takes precedence over a reworked example. The opening mechanism should function without excessive play. On silver pieces, the presence of guaranteed hallmarks — assay mark, guarantee mark, assay office town — allows the object to be dated and authenticated with precision. Finally, a legible cutler's signature on the blade constitutes an additional factor of traceability and value.