Joseph Rodgers

Joseph Rodgers is one of the oldest and most prestigious cutlery brands in the world, originating from Sheffield, England — a city that for centuries served as the cradle of European blade manufacturing. The company's history dates back to 1724, when John Rodgers leased a workshop at Holy Croft and registered his trademark with the Cutlers' Company: a star and a Maltese cross. For nearly three centuries, this icon of Sheffield craftsmanship — "Knife of Kings and King of Knives" — set the quality benchmark for blade makers worldwide.

History and Tradition

John Rodgers' sons — John, Joseph, and Maurice — took over the workshop in the second half of the 18th century and grew the company into a multinational manufacturer. The Star and Maltese Cross mark, formally assigned to the Rodgers family by the Cutlers' Company in 1764, became a guarantee of the highest quality — stamped on every blade as an essential mark of craftsmanship. In 1821, the company received its first Royal Warrant as the official cutlery supplier to the Royal Family, an honor reaffirmed under five successive monarchs: George IV, William IV, Queen Victoria, Edward VII, and George V. At the peak of its operation in the mid-19th century, the Norfolk Street works employed over 800 skilled craftsmen and produced knives exported to Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia. In Persia, India, and Ceylon, the name "Rujjus" (Rodgers) entered local languages as a synonym for "excellence."

Products and Craftsmanship

The Joseph Rodgers tradition is built on hand-crafted pocket knives — classic English Gentleman's Knives — combining carefully balanced construction with natural handle materials: rosewood, buffalo horn, ivory, and stag bone. Typical patterns include the clip blade, pen blade, Barlow (a two-blade traditional pattern), and the Swayback — distinguished by its subtly curved spine. The slip-joint mechanism with no locking feature delivers the elegant, traditional opening and closing feel associated with classic English folders, while springs made from hardened flat steel ensure long-lasting resistance and secure blade retention. The stainless steel blade is manufactured in Sheffield, where the tradition of grinding and heat-treating blades has continued uninterrupted for over 300 years. Egginton Group, the current owner of the brand (since 1986), continues production in Sheffield, upholding the standards established by the Rodgers family in the 18th century.

Legacy and Brand Standing

Joseph Rodgers is more than just a knife — it is the product of three centuries of English craft culture, bearing the Star and Cross mark that traveled to every continent during the age of industrialization and convinced generations of users that British steel makes better tools than any other. Joseph Rodgers pocket knives are a valued choice among collectors and everyday carry enthusiasts alike, offering a seamless combination of history, craftsmanship, and English character in a single, hand-finished object.

Joseph Rodgers at Militaria.pl

At Militaria.pl you will find traditional Joseph Rodgers pocket knives — an excellent choice for connoisseurs of classic cutlery craftsmanship, collectors, and anyone who appreciates objects with a story. Joseph Rodgers knives represent English elegance and three centuries of Sheffield tradition distilled into a single, hand-finished blade — a worthy addition to any collection and to the pocket of the discerning gentleman in the field.