{"product_id":"foster-brothers","title":"Antique American Meat Cleaver — Foster Bros. Trade Mark Arrow, c.1878–1890, Sailor's Rope Handle","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn antique American meat cleaver bearing the \u003cem\u003eFoster Bros. Trade Mark Arrow\u003c\/em\u003e stamp. The plain \"Foster Bros.\" stamp combined with the arrow trademark dates this cleaver to the 1878–1890 founding era of the company.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this particular cleaver exceptional is its handle. At some point in its working life — almost certainly aboard a ship — a craftsman removed the original scales and wrapped the tang tightly in rope, finishing it with a brass screw cap at the pommel to lock everything in place. This is a classic sailor's or ship's cook's modification, providing a secure grip in wet conditions. The rope wrapping is aged and original to the modification, not a recent addition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 6-inch carbon steel blade carries a deep, even blackened patina consistent with over a century of hard use. The edge will benefit from a professional sharpen.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage Knife Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45849784582178,"sku":"KK-FOSTER-001","price":250.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0862\/1142\/8386\/files\/DSCF2321_fce7353c-3390-4b86-bd90-201a1193f550.jpg?v=1783734988","url":"https:\/\/vintageknifeshop.com\/products\/foster-brothers","provider":"Vintage Knife Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}