Historical information

John Oxley was a shoe and butchers’ knife manufacturer, who was listed in Whitecroft UK in 1822 . By 1825, he was based in Hollis Croft. John apparently died in about 1837. He had two sons – George (1808-1879) and James (1811-1881) who took over the business. George moved to Indianna, USA and in 1868 James continued to manufacture 'Cooks’ and palette knives and steels"
Oxley’s trade mark was a butcher’s knife crossed with a sharpening steel (and the letters ‘JO’). The firm stayed in the family until 1960.
Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools .

Significance

This strong steel knife is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900

Physical description

Heavy duty curved steel knife with a wide blade encased in 2 thick leather straps secured with steel rivets

Inscriptions & markings

Blade ; James Oxley with Trade Mark - a butcher’s knife crossed with a sharpening steel (and the letters ‘JO’).
scratched into leather handle ; J EVANS