Frank Mills 4-Piece Carving Set Sheffield England Carbon Carved Horn Handles 1886s-1903

4 piece carving set made from Sheffield England maker Frank Mills whose sewing machine trade mark was registered in 1886 and used until 1897 when the 'Frank Mills' company was dissolved and Frank Mills formed the F. Mills & Co. in 1898. They say that carving sets were the pride of Sheffield makers and this one definitely speaks to that. 

Hand forged 9" and 6 1/4" carbon steel blades have been sharpened in very little and are still full of life, carved twisted cow horn grips with silver plated ferrules and butt caps are nice and secure. The guard on fork is secure and the spring is nice and stiff, tines are straight. Light semi flexible blades have a fresh edge.

The only issue with this set is the bug bites on the horn, it is a bedevilment of horn to be a good meal to certain insects but they are long gone. 

Like all other culinary knives this should never go in the dishwasher, carving knife handles will come loose with high heat (dishwasher, stove top etc), carbon steel can rust if left wet or dirty, expect a patina to form with use.

The two slicers here come sharpened