William Alford
sans serif and flags/knives
Sat Jan 20 23:08:35 2001


I can also input a little info on this given a career in the printing trade and as a blacksmith. While not a print historian, I do recognize that most contemporary sans serif typefaces were introduced post-Bauhaus, however sans serif WAS known in the early nineteenth century--http://www.webreference.com/dlab/9802/sansserif.html">. I think that a distinction might be made between PRINTED typefaces in the trade and those characters that are on handmade artifacts. It is simply easier to hand cut fabric patterns of alphabet without the serif. See flags at -- http://www.archives.state.al.us/referenc/flags/index.html"> . Many of these are san serif such as 2nd AL Inf, 4th AL Inf, of course there are serifs on 8th AL Inf, etc.

Regarding dating the knife, blacksmiths must first hand chisel the alphabet into a negative die and then pound white-hot tool steel into it to make the smith's future punch that he will use to mark his creations. It's hard enough to carve an alphabet, yet alone try to incorporate the luxury of serif as mere convention. I submit that dating by the presence of serif is not always valid on such hand-made items. Incidentally, those interested in handmade knives made by world famous smiths should attend the 13th Annual Batson Bladesmith Symposium at Tannehill State Park near McCalla, AL April 6-8 2001. There will likely be master bladesmiths there with a strong knowledge about CW era bowies, etc. I know Chuck Patrick of NC who is famous for primitive style knives is a demonstrator. It is free to the public, but a fee for training. Contact me offlist if you want more info. Yours, WA

• Sans serif — Hayes Lowe, Wed Jan 24 06:39