Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

The Cattaraugus Cutlery Company was started by John Champlin and his son Tint in 1882. It was first incorporated under the name J.B.F. Champlin and Son as a wholesale distribution company based in Little Valley, New York. The business proved to be a successful endeavor, and it soon branched into a knife production company named Cattaraugus.
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ellisrichman
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by ellisrichman »

Thanks! You know, it does indeed look like a red stain. An earlier post discussed deterioration of the celluloid, but I don't see the slightest hint of it. Even with very powerful magnification, the scales, liner and blades look stable. Wonder how it got this color?
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Jacknifeben »

Found another Cattaraugus "scout" knife. White fiberloid gets my vote.
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ellisrichman
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by ellisrichman »

Never heard of Fiberloid, so I searched the forums, and found a link to a great article. Apparently a company that made a product similar to Celluloid, it nearly met the production quantity that celluloid did. Totally fascinating! Never heard of it. Does anyone have more information about whehter Catt used Fiberloid instead of or in addition to Celluloid?
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by knife-nut »

ellisrichman, If you don't mind me asking, where do you live? I too knew the gentleman that used to own your knife in Kansas. I was just wondering how far It traveled to its new owner. If they could only talk, they probably would have very interesting stories to tell. Mark.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by ellisrichman »

I'm in Maryland. Would love to speak with the previous owner, as I'm working on an article for Knife World on these compass knives...getting a little more history on it would be grand. Thanks for considering.

The gent I bought it from was named Dudley. Yes if the knives could talk, I'd love for them to talk about what is was like being born in the Catt factory...aaahh...to be a "fly on the wall" of that plant...if they ever perfect a time machine, it will be in the top ten places to go in my time-travel itinerary. I'll pick up a few samples for everyone while I'm there.

Maybe they could make me one of these in MOP while I wait. ::woot::
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Jacknifeben »

In Mrs. Dewey Ferguson book on Cattaraugus they list both celluloid and fiberloid.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by ellisrichman »

Thanks for the heads up on the book! I just found a copy on the auction site and bought it. It cost way too much, but I think this out of print book might be hard to find. Couldn't find one on the net anywhere. Really appreciate the insight; the #1 at the end of the pattern, according to the book, indeed indicates Fibroid, and it says #4 indicates celluloid.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by WelderBob »

Found this nice knife box...thought it would look good with my Catt gunstock.

Has a pattern number on the end but can't make out all the numbers, looks like it was for small knives.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by galvanic1882 »

Great knife and the box makes it that much better!!!
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by TripleF »

This just in....
Cattaraugus Jigged Bone 24379 Easy Open
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by PA Knives »

Triple F, "Now that's a knife" AWESOME ::ds:: ::ds:: ::ds::
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by galvanic1882 »

Here is my latest Cat, I love the metal handles. Pattern is called Gelding in the Cattaraugus Catalog circa 1910 !! It was one of my Christmas gifts.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by 1967redrider »

I just love seeing pictures and learning about old Cattaraugus knives. I know in the knife world "Case is King" but I don't think anyone made a better knife than Cattaraugus. ::ds::
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by bejugo »

An old Cattaraugus Straight razor that my Grandpa used to use.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Miller Bro's »

::welcome:: Nice razor ::tu::
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Post by ken6 »

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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by galvanic1882 »

Just picked up 2 more Cattaraugus knives. The top 2 are ones I just bought. The bottom knife I have had for a few years. All are Cattaraugus knives.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Jacknifeben »

You have a real good source to find that pearl toe nail. Is it numbered?
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by galvanic1882 »

No it is not but it came from the group that was in the Expo of 1900!
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by knifegirl888 »

Awesome, Mike! So happy for you!! ::ds::
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by bonehead »

galvanic1882 wrote:Just picked up 2 more Cattaraugus knives. The top 2 are ones I just bought. The bottom knife I have had for a few years. All are Cattaraugus knives.
Well Here is some fine E-Toenails, its like Platinum Ice Cream for me, if that makes any sense, Very Nice Mike!!! ::tu:: BH
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Miller Bro's »

An old Catt. razor blade box.

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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by 1967redrider »

Galvanic, some of the sweetest Catts I have seen! ::drool::


Here's some pictures of the Cattaraugus wrench knife I have been looking for over the past 2 years, just picked it up at the Harrisonburg show. Sweet worm grooved bone handles, the wrench adjusts perfectly, the blade and punch have been profiled and cleaned but I didn't pay anyway near mint price for it either. I'd say there's just under a quarter inch of blade loss. I'm pretty pleased to have found one. ::ds::

Guess my next Catt will be a King of the Woods. :roll:
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Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by wlf »

And you think I have a penchant for funky blades John.

Nice find.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by 1967redrider »

Thanks buddy! ::tu::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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