I S Greenberg & Co Table Knife Set "Goffed" Carbon Steel & Stag Sheffield ~1890-1910

Late 19th-century table knife-and-fork set made for I S Greenberg & Co., possibly by the M Hunter company.  I S Greenberg & Co was based out of Birmingham but sold household items in addition to jewelry.

 In the late 19th century, Sheffield table knives got longer, straighter, round-tipped blades, and the forks got slightly larger, this set is a prime example of table knives just prior to the invention of stainless steel in 1913. Many features of older table knives are here but the longer straight knife and larger 3 tined fork are definitly later. 

This knife was forged on an American-style tilt hammer fitted with dies to shape the forging, eliminating the need for hand forging. So-called 'goffing' with the tilt hammer sped up production but was objected to by the traditional hand forgers as being inferior to the old style forge, laminated shear steel, and iron construction.