Anyone heard of this???

[jmam7516]

I got this old single blade Jack knife in a lot I purchased recently. The blade just below the spine is stamped CHRIS WOLF. I had never seen or heard of this market before. According to Goins it dates 1920-1930. I was wondering if anyone was familiar with this branding and if so is there any collector interest. The knife measures 4 1/4" closed. Blade is 3 3/8". Construction is steel frame, liners, and bolsters with wooden scales. The blade is heavy . . 1/8" thick at spine. There are no markings on the reverse of blade. Also curious as to thoughts about the notch near the tang. Could this be original to the knife or damage or the years? Any help is greatly appreciated . . . thanks in advance, John

[treefarmer]

The notch looks like how some of the TL-29 blades are notched, but I guess most of the electrician's knives had 2 blades .
Somebody will come by that knows CHRIS WOLF.
Treefarmer

[jerryd6818]

That and the Jess Crouch knife are very desireable. Read this thread, especially the post by "nifbuff" on the first page of the thread ---> http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... chris+wolf

[gsmith7158]

Chris Wolf was known as someone that built ugly useful knives. If I'm not mistaken his blades were hand forged. I have only seen fixed blades he made but I am far from an expert on his knives. I do believe some of them are quite valuable. Somebody will come along shortly that knows much more than I do so be patient.

[KnifeSlinger#81]

You can see where northwoods got most of their blade shape inspiration.

[tjmurphy]

Follow Jerry's lead. I had one of each of the Wolf and the Crouch knives that I sold a little while back. Knives are fairly rare and very collectable.

[djknife13]

These were Schatts and Morgan knives. Both men were associated with the company. If you get one of each you have a full set but that can and probably will cost you a few hundred dollars. They were advertised in the 1910 or 1912 Sears and Roebuck catalog as probably the ugliest knife on the market. Obviously collectors don't agree. They were hand forged in the S&M company and are pretty unique with the deep stamped name for a pull. I assume that if you bought yours in a group of knives and didn't know what it was that you probably got a pretty good deal on yours. ____Dave

[treefarmer]

Well there goes my theory about the notch and it bein' an electrician's knife , that's some good history and some healthy lookin' old knives!
Treefarmer

[gsmith7158]

Well there goes my theory about the notch and it bein' an electrician's knife , that's some good history and some healthy lookin' old knives!
Treefarmer

Yeah mine too Phillip. I could have sworn I saw a fixed blade but maybe I was just looking at the folder opened.

[jmam7516]

I wanted to say thanks to everyone one who replied thus far. Some absolutely great info . . . I love the history. I note it was stated the knives had no nail pull. Mine does as can be seen in the pics . . near point of blade. If the blades were hand forged it could be possible the pull is original. Yes the knife was part of a lot of 10 American and Sheffield pieces. And no, I had no idea what I was getting . . . I figured $5.30 apiece was worth a shot. It is an ugly knife but has quickly become the shining star. Thanks again, great info guys.

[tjmurphy]

Miller Bros. has one with a nail nick and feels that it is original to the knife. The one that I had did not have the nail nick(?).

[kootenay joe]

I had one with a nail nick.
kj

[djknife13]

I didn't notice the nick in yours until you mentioned it. Both of mine, the Crouch and Wolf are deeply stamped and farther down the blade where the nail nick would be. Does that mean I have several more variations to find before I get a full set? As a dedicated knife collector, my work is never done. My wife hates that.____Dave

[djknife13]

Neither of mine had a standard nail nick, although the Wolf would be a lot easier to open with one. It had a loud audiable snap. The Crouch is so deeply stamped that you can see the edge of the name stamp. The ad is from a reprinted 1905 to 1910 Sears Roebuck and Co. catalog. I paid $50 or so for the Crouch years ago and $120 for the Wolf and was glad to get them for that. You did well.____Dave

[jmam7516]

Good looking knives Dave, This style of knife never use to interest me. As I keep on collecting I have come to appreciate the history as much as the knives themselves. Don't know if i'll ever come up with the mate to it . . but at least now I know what to look for.