Penn Charter Champion Oak
Early 1600s–September 19, 2023
A Brief History
In 1681 King Charles II granted a massive North American Charter to William Penn to settle a debt owed to Penn’s deceased father. The following year 38 year-old Penn sailed to the New World with a vision of establishing a Colony where Quakers and others could worship free from persecution. When he arrived what became the state of Pennsylvania and the heart of Colonial America was a vast 45,000 square mile virgin forest totaling (by one estimate) 2.76 billion trees.
Over the next three centuries, the Pennsylvania virgin forests were replaced by sprawling urban areas, roads, farmland, and industrial spaces. Fewer than 100 of the original majestic giants from the William Penn era survived into the 21st century.
In 1969, the State of Pennsylvania designated one of the largest of these historic treasures the Penn Charter Champion Oak. Located on the grounds of London Grove Monthly Meeting in Kennett Square, PA., the Penn Charter Champion Oak thrived. For over 350 years (dating back to 1714 when the Meeting was founded), it was a “living witness” to the life of countless generations of Friends who worshiped under and near its branches. Being part of the Friends community at London Grove sheltered it from being one of the hundred of millions that perished.
Tragically, on September 19, 2023, the Penn Charter Champion Oak succumbed to old age and died in a windstorm. In early 2026 I was gifted by a member of London Grove Meeting 5-board feet of this rare, history-filled timber.
Wood I have been privileged to give new purpose in the knives shared with you here.
1682 Penn Charter Knives
Important Note: These are limited edition knives available for sale in small batches (5-10 knives per posting) every 3-4 weeks.
Styles: Six styles available. Quaker Kitchen Cleaver; Quaker Chef’s Knife; Quaker Kitchen Knife; Quaker Utility Knife; Quaker “Easy Grip” Paring Knife; and the Quaker Paring Knife. (See photo.)
How to Order/Check Availability: At the top of this page (above the “Order” button) select the style knife you would like to purchase. You will see both the cost and number of knives currently available for sale. (“Out of Stock” means the knife is sold out and, until more are posted, not available for purchase.) Allow two weeks for delivery.
