Steel(?) Table Knife - Joseph Rodgers

I came across this well-worn piece and I just love it. I'd love any info beyond what I've learned...

I know that it is pre-1901, as it says "Cutlers to HER Majesty" - A lot of these Rodgers pieces say HIS or THEIR majesty.

I believe it is steel, but would love a more precise date so that I can research the type and origin if the steel.

I honestly can't tell what the handle is made of - seems to porous to be horn, but there's no grain of any kind to indicate wood...

Thanks for any education you might have!
Joe

 

The blade is most likely carbon steel.
The handle is either silver plate or sterling. Polish it. You may find the mark.

I saw your comment about polishing on another thread.
Can you imagine what your mother would say if you set the table with a knife that looked like that! Flatware is meant to be polished.

 

Lol I wasn’t considering setting the table with it.

 

Handle is not metal. Sorry, the pic is not the best.

 

it could be bone...or a smooth antler.......
looks like a bread knife....??

 

I agree, looks like much-handled antler, and a breadknife.

 

butter knife

 

It's a place knife.
As in knife, fork, spoon.
Old style blade - late 1800s to early 1900s.
Those old carbon steel blades cut meat very nicely. Better than what we are used to with stainless blades.

 

If you get AUS 8 stainless knives they will out last the old carbon steel 1060/1070 blades any day.... https://blog.bladeops.com/review-of-aus-8-stainless-steel.html
Most of the import knives with 400 series stainless blades are junk and have a hard time slicing a tomato with need of resharpening.

 

The metal used for pocket knives and that used for kitchen service are of a different type.
Can you show any place setting knives using AUS8?

 

Here's the Spyderco listing of steel content.
https://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/steel-chart/

 

Kitchen knives........... https://www.etsy.com/dk-en/listing/624291175/ibuki-aus-8-steel-kitchen-blank-blade
https://www.knifepark.com/en/home/1975-samura-golf-kitchen-knives-set-in-japanese-steel-aus-8.html

steak knives.... https://www.knifecenter.com/item/XI608KR/xikar-steak-knife-set-of-6

Filet knives...

 

Ooohhhh....goody..... a knife fight !!!

 

I am not disputing the fact that there is better steel for KITCHEN knives.
My point (see the drop of blood ) is that place setting knives (what you sit at the table and use) are not good stainless steel - in that they are not very sharp.
I was only saying that the Old carbon steel used was a much better cutting blade than today's.