Village Blacksmith / Washington Cutlery 12.75" Chef Carbon Steel Walnut 1920s/30s

Hand forged after drop forged 12" carbon steel chef knife made under the Village Blacksmith brand by Washington cutlery in Watertown Wisconsin, the Village Blacksmith line ran between 1898 and the 1940s from Washington Cutlery. Washington Cutlery also contracted pocket knives and in Watertown under the Village Blacksmith name made a number of knives for chefs, butchers and home cooks. Washington Cutlery contracted with the US government during WW2 to make a heavy round tipped bolo knife for Hospital Corps medics to use for cutting saplings for stretchers. 

Village Blacksmith made high quality knives, most made in standard American patterns of the day, however, beginning in the early 1900s they did make an unusual carving / utility knife based off of an old German pattern, Germans being the largest immigrant group to Wisconsin by the early 20th century making up a significant portion of the population.

This knife has a thin hand ground blade with a narrow bolster and a large handle, like many old 12" chef knives, it is more nimble and lighter than it looks. This one was found in great shape with an old patina but no active rust at all, with teh light acid etch on the blade intact (this would be easy to lose if rusted or buffed over), it has been left as found minus a fresh edge (it has hardly been sharpened) and a little oil. A rare find from this great old maker.