Centrepin Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 I've just been given a very old, but never opened set of possibly silver or silver plated cutlery. Possibly bone handled, don't think its ivory, may even be plastic? Still in original wrapping. Maybe late 50s or early 60s. Anybody know anything about it or its value? I know A Rodgers is a cutlery firm in Sheffield but that's about all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 It's too small to see. Certainly there is a (limited) market on eBay for Sheffield made gobbling irons. And Rodgers is a good marque. The odd stamps that you see on some were meant to seem as is they were assay marks but unless there is a crown, or an anchor, it isn't silver. Be careful with bone handled cutlery as you need to wash it whilst holding the bone part out of any water. My parents had as a wedding gift back in 1947 a large Walker & Hall canteen of cutlery. It stood in the corner for years and when I eventually sold it (bone handles so a "faff" at washing up time) it made all of forty quid. Sorry it's not good news...but if it functions enjoy it if you've enough for a few place settings. Me? I use an all stainless set by Oliver & Bower bought in the late 1980s before they too went out of business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylye Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 The 'EP' means electro plated nickel silver so its not solid silver I'm afraid. Can't confirm the handles are ivory or bone but its unlikely on electro-plate cutlery. Not worth a lot - maybe £30-£40 tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 I believe the EP (that I think I can see in the photo) stands for Electro Plate. You also see EPNS (Electro Plated Nickel Silver) sometimes. Plated things are worth very little - even if in great condition - and even less when the plating is worn through (as it often is on cutlery. The handles look like plastic (simulated bone) but I can't be sure. I have some knives circa 1970s with similar handles that are plastic. The plastic is very slightly translucent whereas the bone is quite opaque. Plate is not dishwasher compatible - and nor are plastic or bone handles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratchers Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 No solid silver as stated, Electro-Plated(silver plated). Handles could be bone, are there any dark flecks in it, could be ivory or more than likely ivorine(simulated ivory plastic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrepin Posted December 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 Well its nice looking stuff, not really my taste. Thanks for the replies. Not sure what to do with it now, if no one in my family wants it, it can go on the bay of evil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 Have a couple of similar sets which were wedding presents of my parents. They all look stunning in their fitted cases but aren’t worth a lot I’m afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrepin Posted December 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 13 minutes ago, Scully said: Have a couple of similar sets which were wedding presents of my parents. They all look stunning in their fitted cases but aren’t worth a lot I’m afraid. It's probably why I was given them and quite a lot of other stuff. No value. Mind you, I got a lovely old hobbing foot, again no value but I remember my grandad using it to repair leather soled boots, so in time it'll go to my grandkids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 Just now, Centrepin said: It's probably why I was given them and quite a lot of other stuff. No value. Mind you, I got a lovely old hobbing foot, again no value but I remember my grandad using it to repair leather soled boots, so in time it'll go to my grandkids. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clumber Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 (edited) They're Joseph Rodgers. The hallmarks are a star and cross. https://www.sheffieldcollectableknives.com/about/joseph-rodgers I use bone handle butter type knives. The OH likes skinny round handle modern knives that I can't hold as they're too damn slim. These old knives hold a edge very well. Once saw a programme about a fish market and one of the old timers used nothing but this type of knife for filleting Edited December 17, 2020 by clumber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbyduck Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 On 17/12/2020 at 20:52, clumber said: They're Joseph Rodgers. The hallmarks are a star and cross. https://www.sheffieldcollectableknives.com/about/joseph-rodgers I use bone handle butter type knives. The OH likes skinny round handle modern knives that I can't hold as they're too damn slim. These old knives hold a edge very well. Once saw a programme about a fish market and one of the old timers used nothing but this type of knife for filleting I also saw that programme and there's a chap that stands on the flea market in Chesterfield sells em for £1 each or 6 for £5, I keep meaning to pick a few up when passing ,also a good bit about Wolstonhomle IXL knives thanks for sharing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted December 22, 2020 Report Share Posted December 22, 2020 .y wife puts em in the dishwasher, ruined the handles, they shrank cracked the lot. Ended up throwing them out. If you like them use them. I think the knives are a lovely shape and great for butter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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