Ford and Medley Rare Riggers Knife. A collectors dream

Ford & Medley Rare Riggers Knife. A collectors dream. This knife dates from the late 1890's to World War 1. It is unique from the other more common riggers knives made by Ford & Medley  in that it has metal scales and a different main blade shape. Prices on some of the Ford & Medley knives exceed R 4000.00. It weighs on at a healthy 165 grams. Blades a firm in the frame with no chips.

Some historical info .

The Medleys were razor grinders, who lived in Norton and included brothers Joseph (1848-1924) and Tom (1853-1915).  Josephs son, Albert (1875-1948), later became the chief partner.  A descendant, Michael Medley, has stated that the firms catalogues cited an establishment date of 1879.  Certainly, Ford & Medley was active by 1900, when the firm registered a silver mark from 137 Arundel Street.  Ford is not identified in directories and the Medley family has no information on him.  However, the venture was backed by William England, a brass founder, who was a Methodist (like Albert).  The firm became Ltd in 1908, and advertised from Wizard Works its Wake-Knot brand for ironmongers at fixed prices.  The firms catalogues displayed table cutlery, electro-plate, and especially hollow-ground razors.  During the First World War, Ford & Medley undertook government contracts.
By the end of the War, the firm occupied Emu Works at 151 Eyre Street, with Albert as managing director.  Harold W. Brown was also a director.  The company trade marks were EMU and WIZARD and knotted ropes with F M.  (EMU had apparently belonged to T.H. Wilson.)  Ford & Medley also acquired the SELECT and arrow marks of Bingham & Ogden.  The ARROW razor became a Ford & Medley staple.  However, the company became insolvent in 1928.  Albert Medley died in 1948, aged 73