Nations Attic Winter 2026 Diving Into History

Vintage German J.A. Henckels Solingen Diving Knife with Brass Sheath

Live auction will start in __ days and __ hours

Start price: $150

Estimated price: $300 - $600

Buyer's Premium: 20%

Description

An outstanding vintage German diving knife manufactured by the renowned J.A. Henckels Company of Solingen, Germany. Founded in 1731, Henckels is one of the world’s oldest and most respected cutlery manufacturers, recognized internationally for its exceptional blades and craftsmanship. The company’s famous Twin trademark, one of the oldest continuously used trademarks in the world, is clearly stamped on the blade along with J.A. HENCKELS SOLINGEN.

This impressive diving knife features a substantial steel blade with a distinctive pointed profile, a heavy ribbed brass handle, and its matching cylindrical brass sheath. The blade retains a very nice vintage appearance with scattered surface marks and light discoloration consistent with age. The blade currently has a think layer of oil on it. The brass components display an attractive, naturally aged patina. The threaded construction allows the knife to be securely fitted into its sheath, a practical design for traditional commercial and military diving applications.

German diving knives of this style are closely associated with twentieth-century hardhat diving, including examples used by German naval divers. Combining the famous Henckels name, quality German workmanship, and classic brass construction, this is a wonderful addition to any collection of historic diving equipment or maritime antiques.

Please review all photographs for additional details and overall condition. It is also important to do your homework on local import laws, especially regarding knives; Nations Attic cannot be held responsible for shipping charges if customs denies delivery, and since we don’t offer refunds for customs issues, any rejected items will be consigned into a future sale.

We want your items to arrive exactly as described, so we ship everything fully insured via FedEx or USPS Priority Mail with a signature required upon delivery. We’re happy to ship worldwide, but please keep in mind that international payments must be made via bank wire. For a fast, accurate shipping quote before the auction starts, just email us your postal code and we’ll get you a quote