Lamson & Goodnow Forged Cutlery

Lamson & Goodnow History

A scythe is a hand tool used for cutting grass, grain, or other tall, thin crops. The scythe was based the sickle, which has a short blade and handle and is worked with one hand. The scythe has a long wooden shaft (called a snath) with two handles: one handle at the end and the other roughly in the middle. A long blade with a slight curve is mounted at the other end. A scythe is used by holding both handles and swinging the scythe from side to side in wide sweeping motions. Since it functions as a lever, it has more power than a sickle and is much easier to use.

Silas Lamson was the inventor of the curved scythe snath, an innovation that allows the worker to stand fully erect, making it easier on the back. This had a dramatic impact on agriculture. In 1834, he started Lamson & Goodnow in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts to produce his curved scythe snath.

In 1837, his two sons, Ebenezer and Nathaniel Lamson, together with partner Abel Goodnow, became interested in making knives and started the business that has retained the names of Lamson & Goodnow from that time to the present.

The partnership was successful and enjoyed a steady growth during its early years. Extensive new buildings were erected in Shelburne Falls. Experienced cutlery workers were recruited from both Sheffield, England and Solingen Germany, Europe's two great champions of quality cutlery. Descendants of those workers are still employed by the company.

During the Civil War, the company became one of the largest United States cutlery manufacturers, employing more than 500 workers to meet the demand for their products. It was during this time that Lamson & Goodnow added tableware to their line of professional and agricultural cutlery. Old Lamson & Goodnow catalogs depict a vast variety of items with ivory, horn, and exotic wood handles. The company became known for their quality cutlery.

In 1869, the workmen of Lamson & Goodnow produced a dinner set of 62 pieces for President Ulysses S. Grant. Half of the pieces were set in pearl handles and half in ivory, with American maple leaves engraved on the handles. The workers stated that they felt a "national pride in presenting [the set] to one who will appreciate the perseverance that aims at nothing short of perfection."