The Lowdown on the Norfolk
An Interview with Tony Bose

Tony Bose, custom knifemaker, & W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery have announced the “Norfolk” as the 2009 Case/Bose Collaboration knife.

We had a chance to sit down with Tony & talk about the Norfolk. Here’s what we found out.

The first Norfolk was created by Joseph Rogers for the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London, England in the 1850’s. With 75 blades, and 2-3’ in length, it made quite the impression at the Great Exhibition.

Rogers’ knife company, Norfolk Knives, was located on Norfolk Street and that is where the name of the knife is derived from.

In production as a regular pocket knife of that era, the Norfolk came in numerous blade configurations, and various sizes, but always maintained its distinctive shape.

That distinctive shape, along with the Wharncliffe blade, piqued Bose’s interest and resulted in his recreating this pattern with Case XX.

The Case/Bose Norfolk will retain the classic shape of the original Norfolk in a length of 3 ¾”, with “Made in America” 154-CM steel Wharncliffe and clip blades, riding on a single backspring.

Bose says he’s always liked the Norfolk & wharncliffe blade combination…”It’s just handy to have around…you can do just about anything with it, good solid blade to use & being on a single backspring makes it very thin, easy to carry in your pocket. And then when you need the clip blade the “ease” in the handle makes it easy to access.”

In the Bose/Case Collaboration there will be “half stops” on the blades, a great safety feature but they also provide better action and thus the reason they are preferred by Bose.

Bose particularly wanted to point out that the 154-CM steel used in these blades is “Made in America” with a Double Vacuum Smelting process (a process not normally used abroad).

“This process makes the 154-CM cleaner than what you could get abroad, there’s no slag, and it finishes real nice without freckles or specks.” Being a tad particular about his steel, Tony is especially happy with this 154-CM.

“And hey did you know,” he adds, “this 154-CM is what they make jet engine parts out of. It will work at 1000º without losing its temper.” Impressive.

Tony says it’s always a challenge to put two blades on a single backspring. One side of each blade must have an offset grind so blades can pass each other, but the end result is a thinner overall piece, making for a more comfortable knife in your pocket, which is a just and fitting description for the Norfolk, a very comfortable knife in your pocket.

While we had Tony cornered, we told him we already knew that making knives was his passion and his most favorite thing to do…BUT… what about when he’s not making knives ? What would be his passion ?

“Well,” he replied in that drawl that is undeniably Tony, “my vocation is making knives and my hobby is messin’ with knives. I just love ‘em, love everything about ‘em.”

Now for any and all who know Tony…there’s no surprise there.

That’s why his knives are so highly sought after, each one has a bit of Tony within.

You can meet Tony in person at our Nashville TN store on May 16, 2009. Click here for more details!

Item Number 7167 TONY BOSE PEACHSEED JIGGED ANTIQUE BONE NORFOLK Click Here to See Larger Image and Order

Item Number 7168 TONY BOSE PEACHSEED CHESTNUT BONE NORFOLK Click Here to See Larger Image and Order

Item Number 7169 TONY BOSE EBONY NORFOLK Click Here to See Larger Image and Order