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While wondering the flea market, you spot a possibility so with great
anticipation you reach into an old cigar box filed with an assortment of
somewhat rough looking pocket knives, just like you have done a hundred
times before. Usually it is something of little value that has an inflated
price tag on it because it is a "rare" old knife according to the salesman
dressed in shorts and a old T-shirt. Nevertheless, unlike that last few
times you spot one that looks of better quality even if it is dirty and
worn. You carefully open the master blade on a honey bone stockman and scrap
of the grit on the tang with your fingernail. Similar to the beeping of a
metal detector over a rare buried coin, your heart starts beating faster.
The name of Tidioute Pennsylvania on an old pocketknife will raise the
eyebrow of any knife collector who even remotely thinks he knows something
about the hobby. There were a number of companies and spin off's that
offered quality knives produced in this little town nestled in the hills of
Northwest Pennsylvania along the banks of the beautiful Allegheny River.
Names like Brown Brothers, Tidioute Cutlery, Union Razor, Baldwin Cutlery,
Pennsylvania Cutlery and more came from this somewhat remote area. In fact,
some companies had their knives made for them in this town. AC Penn and
Hollingsworth both used Tidioute for some of their production. These were of
high quality and are prized possessions of those fortunate enough to locate
and own one. Of course anyone with any curiosity about the history of KABAR
is well aware that it foundations started in this historic little town. In
the early 1900's Union Razor moved North to eventually become the famous
KABAR. Amongst collectors, the Union stamps are highly prized. In fact, the
company has issued new knives using the old tang stamps. This in it self is
a tribute to the historical impact of these earlier companies transitions.
You can find more in depth information about that transformation in any
number of knife collecting books available in book stores or on-line.
The prices that are realized for these antiques have risen considerably in
the last few years. I recall that my first ebay transaction was for a near
mint Baldwin Tidioute bone handled jack with excellent blades. I was pleased
with the transaction and beat out several bidders for a reasonable price in
my opinion. The final total was for less than $35. Mind you it wasn't at the
last minute using a sniping program to win over the last bidder by
twenty-three cents, but more like the old days when you bid the highest
amount you would pay for any item and left it at that. I would suspect that
same knife today would venture to bring at least twice that and probably
more. This took place only five years ago. In general, knives that
originated from this sleepy little town in the early 1900's consistently
bring a high dollar in today's market. Even specimens in the poorest of
condition are eagerly scoop up and highly regarded. I have seen knives with
missing scales, broken blades and very rusted bring $20 to $30. Five years
ago I would have called them junkers and kept them for parts at best if at
all.
I wanted to recant a small adventure that I was on while searching for some
of these knives years ago. I have been actively collecting for 30 years and
the thrill of the "hunt" is half the fun. We all have our favorite stories
about that super find we made, but really one has to be a student of history
to properly direct your efforts to be fruitful. Imagine looking for a sunken
treasure ship without any knowledge of its history. The find would be nearly
impossible in the vast ocean of possibilities.
I was delivering goods to Tidioute in the summer of 1987 and started asking
the some of the old timers about the manufacturing plant and what they knew
about it. I heard more than one story about how the kids would bug the
workers at lunchtime and occasional a get slightly damaged knife tossed down
to them as a prize. No doubt this encourage more visitors than if they had
turned them away, but remember these were simpler times. Most of the
parties that I questioned knew exactly where the plant sites were and how
many men worked there including their relatives. I was shown bits and pieces
of memorabilia brought home from the plant and used around the house. One
particular old-timer had a supply of industrial belting that he was given as
a youngest by his father who had worked at the Union Cutlery Plant and now
used it on the farm. Of course one of my first questions was if they owned
any knives, but most often they did not or someone had just purchased them a
year or so ago from them. Seems I am always a day late and dollar short. One
family in particular supposedly had a nice mint set of pearls that had to be
sold to pay for mother's hospital stay. He said it contained twelve
different knives, mint condition and sold them for $100. My heart sank at
thought of missing out on such a great find, but someone out there got a
real historical treasure in my opinion.
I have found that you rarely find an older knife in the area from which it
came. I lived in Warren Pa for 37 years and never saw a CASE MFG. Warren Pa.
Trust me, I searched hard and heavy and asked anyone and everyone whom I
thought might even remotely have a clue as to the whereabouts of this
elusive treasure. To this day, I have only ever seen them in books on the
subject and never in person. This was the case in Tidioute too. The lone
antique storeowner said he had only ever had one razor to sell years ago.
You have a better chance of finding one in Tennessee than in Tidioute!
Modern day Tidioute continues to be a proud little town and their current
claim to fame is the annual Pennsylvania Fishing Tournament held right
downtown. The town's people continue to brag to this day about the rich
cutlery history that they have. Sure it is a somewhat remote area and I
often wonder what was the attraction for those New York Companies to want to
move there? I owned a Brown Bros. straight razor that was marked Tidioute
Pa. on one side and Little Valley NY on the other. Others were to follow
this same path, but eventually leaving for greener pastures. For the most
part all went back to New York State. Union of course went to Olean to
become KABAR, Baldwin went to Jamestown and faded out of site and others
were consumed by growing companies or simply went out of business.
If you have ever have the opportunity to visit this area I suggest you take
the time to take in the scenery and imagine what if must have been like
nearly one hundred years ago. Uniquely enough, the locals will talk about
the companies as if they just went out business a few years ago. Pointing
out where the plant stood and how old Uncle Bob brought them home a barlow
one year for Christmas. You have to be somewhat of a history buff to truly
enjoy this hobby and poking around the charming town of Tidioute
Pennsylvania will be a great experience no doubt. Northwest Pennsylvania
played a vital role in cutlery history with Town names like, Bradford, Kane,
Warren, Eldred and Smithport contributing to that rich history that our
fellow collectors enjoy. Remember that having the knife is just a small
portion of the total enjoyment of collecting them.
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