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Pocket Knives
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The pocket knife, with the blade folding into the handle, was invented in the 16th century and was originally used for putting the points on the business end of quill pens.
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In the last 20 years or so there has been a huge upsurge in interest among collectors and many of the companies founded in Sheffield to produce traditional penknives continue to thrive today making limited !.#0%(6#+%7%%+)(%87&%9%+60%87:% edition examples intended solely for the collectors’ market. Such examples in their plush cases are intended as cabinet pieces, not as !.#0%(6#+%7%%+)(%87&%9%+60%87:% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%;)$*!0%<4//%($)*405%.!+(% working tools.
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)=>%*!$?<#+(#$%7%%1#!"4/%*(@%8.;% The collector of old penknives should buy only those examples whose )=>%*!$?<#+(#$%7%%1#!"4/%*(@%8.;% folding mechanisms are still in good crisp working order and whose 6789:!;96<8!=!>?@ABC@DEF?BBGHBI!=!1FHJKBBL! blades are complete 6789:!;96<8!=!>?@ABC@DEF?BBGHBI!=!1FHJKBBL! and free of damage. A blade that does not reach the end of its slot means it has been broken and ground back to its original shape sometime in the past. The more decorative knives with a greater number of blades and tools are more valuable than plain, simple examples, but prices remain affordable. Rusty blades can be cleaned with some fine wire wool and penetrating oil and then polished with soft paper. The mechanism should be kept free with a careful application of refined oil (not WD 40), while handles in natural material should be treated with a little almond oil. A popular collecting area is fruit knives. French cutlers were first to produce folding knives with silver blades which, unlike their steel counterparts, were not stained by fruit acid. Since fruit was a luxury in the 19th century, so the knives used to cut it reflected the social standing of their owners. In their simplest form, most had a single hallmarked folding blade and a handle made from mother of pearl, usually engraved with motifs reflecting the purpose of the knife. At Wardon Hill Trading Post(see advertisement), several traders are displaying pocket knives at affordable prices.
residency at the Sidney Nolan Trust. Gus is a freelance graphic designer and an inhouse illustrator for Penguin Random House. His effervescent, playful work uses carefully considered block colour to build up scenes brimming with energy and excitement. Gus studied illustration & animation at Kingston University, and since graduating he has also worked as a screen print technician at Print Club London. His animation La Traviata was released as part of the Royal Opera House summer season and was presented on UK and international screens. Bookshop co-owner, Claire Brooker says: “We are looking forward to adding an extra dimension to the bookshop and we will have some fun integrating our exceptional selection of books with such vibrant and contrasting artworks. In addition to our usual wide range of reading matter we will also be featuring and selling those special books that have made such a mark on Lotte and Gus and their artistic vocation.” The exhibition takes place at Bailey Hill Bookshop, Fore Street, Castle Cary BA7 7BG and runs until 7 October.
Fresh new look for Drayton Village Hall Drayton Village Hall has new kitchen blinds and blackout curtains thanks to contributions from the local community and a £750 grant from South Somerset District Council’s Area North Committee. The curtains and redecoration have given the hall environment a new look, with a blind over the hatch to separate and screen the kitchen from the main hall. As well as brightening up the hall, the new curtains provide blackout for presentations and films to be shown effectively on screen. The total cost of the project was £1,500 and the hall management committee were successful in raising funds from local sponsors as well as contributing their own funds. Drayton’s hall is central for the village and hosts a wide range of group activities, meetings and a very popular, monthly, local produce market. Ruth Thomas, who is on the village hall committee, says: “The village hall is a really important facility for our community. Our old curtains were some 25 years old and apart from looking shabby did not meet the current Health & Safety Regulations and were therefore not fit for purpose. Our lovely new curtains make our Hall a much safer environment for our local community to meet and have significantly enhanced the look of the inside, giving it a fresher and brighter appearance. The committee would like to thank the District Council for their generous grant. We now have the confidence to re-market the facilities for weddings, parties and social gatherings in addition to the usual group activities that take place.” Councillor Tiffany Osborne who represents the Drayton ward on South Somerset District Council, says: “The hall is important to local residents as a venue for entertainment and social events and for much needed village organisation. 17