My good friend and CCCC member, Pat Capozzoli, hangs out at a lot of auction house, flea markets and antique shows in the Philadelphia area. When Pat spotted the two knives above at an auction house preview, he knew right away where they would feel at home. He contacted me and we met at the auction on October 22. Within an hour they both were mine.

These knives were from the Hess estate, founders of Hess Department Stores. The knife at top has 50 blades and at bottom 100 blades. The 50 blade knife is marked P. LANG, GERMANY and the other is only marked GERMANY. Both have Mother of Pearl Scales and enough blades to tackle any job. There are two corkscrews on each knife. I don't know when P. Lang produced these. If anyone knows anything about this knife (dates, location, etc.), please do let me know.

Thank you Pat.

© Don Bull, October 24, 1997