Designer: Carl Auböck III (1924 – 1993)

Item: Carving Knife

Manufactured by: Alpenstahl-Handgeschmiedet Stubai Tirol - Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: 1970s

Materials: Stainless steel and stained hardwood, probably walnut.

Dimensions: 13 ¼” x ¾” x 1 ¾”

Condition: Excellent lightly used condition

Description: Here is a very rarely found original carving knife designed by Carl Auböck III in about 1970.  This is a heavy and solid object of exceptional craftsmanship and construction in keeping with the very high production standards of the Werkstätte. Auböck III designed an entire set of this design containing 11 different knives, a chopper, and a sharpener housed in a hand-stitched leather case. We have only ever seen one complete set and only a handful of single knives. Although this was a production item, it seems not many were made under his signature. These bear the name of the manufacturer on one side of the blade, and Aubock’s distinctive signature on the other, as shown.

The Alpenstahl-Handgeschmiedet (Alpine Steel Hand-Forged) Stubai Tirol (the Stubai Valley in Tyrol section of Austria) that manufactured this knife, went on to make another set, examples of which can be found on various internet sites, with a very similar handle design in white plastic and that do not bear Auböck’s signature. The white plastic handles seem slightly smaller and do not feel as substantial as the Auböck signed versions. This manufacturer is very well known for making high quality hand forged steel knifes and cutlery beginning in 1897.