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

[gsmith7158]

Greg,

I just picked up a newer version with the rubber comp handle, same advert. Ovalhole Packing made valve and pump packing to seal valve stems, etc.

Aha! I didn't find that in my search Steve. Thanks for the info.

[steve99f]

Here is the link. It's possible that the company intended the knife to be used on the job to cut their packing to size. As a snipe in the USN I packed a few steam valves to stop steam leakage. The company is the Hollow Center Packing Company Cleveland, OH.

https://books.google.com/books?id=X-lQA ... ng&f=false

[gsmith7158]

Here is the link. It's possible that the company intended the knife to be used on the job to cut their packing to size. As a snipe in the USN I packed a few steam valves to stop steam leakage. The company is the Hollow Center Packing Company Cleveland, OH.

https://books.google.com/books?id=X-lQA ... ng&f=false

Very interesting Steve! Thanks for the link.

[steve99f]

Happy to do it Greg. I needed to it down to satisfy my curiosity on my knife. There are many of the comp or rubber handled Catts out there, yours is the first bone handled I've seen on the 'net.

[Miller Bro's]

Steve, do you have a picture of your knife?

[steve99f]

Dimitri I do not. I'll see what can be done about that. Just got it in last week.

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks, would like to see it

Here's an old soldier, nice bones on this one

[steve99f]

Sorry about the cellphone pictures my camera battery decided it was time to quit. The blade has a little surface corrosion along the top edge but aside from that, I don't think it has been used or sharpened. The sheath is missing some stitching, the leather is still supple.

I know the add I linked to in a previous post was dated in the 20's, I'm thinking this knife is a later knife but does anyone know?

[LanG]

Found my first Cattaraugus, and a copy of Levine's 2nd edition at flea market on Saturday. No numbers visible, but I believe it to be a 22579 model, 3 3/8".
Both the knife and book are well-worn, but with lots of use left in them. Both blades still have great snap and no wobble. Half-step on pen blade.

[danno50]

Nice finds, Lan, and to AAPK.
Dan

[LanG]

Nice finds, Lan, and to AAPK.
Dan

Thank you, Dan. I'm having a blast!

[KnifeSlinger#81]

Here's an old soldier, nice bones on this one

Nice knife, such good lines on those. One of these days I hope to come across a good one for the right price

[Miller Bro's]

Thank you Paul

They turn up on occasion but in great condition they sell for quite a bit, if you're lucky you will find one for a great price!

[utahbound]

Hey guys,

Your discussion about "Oval Hole Packing" prompted a little research. I have one of those rubber handled knives myself.

Turns out that the "packing" is for valve stems and steam rods in old locomotives. To prevent the packing from over swelling and
damaging the rod, they made the packing hollow to allow the swelling to move inwards.

https://books.google.com/books?id=Qp9AA ... ne&f=false

Here is an ad from a 1920 trade magazine.

[utahbound]

Here's the same ad in another 1920 trade journal.

[utahbound]

On a more aesthetic note, here is one of my favorite knives,...
The tang is stamped 3C inside a circle instead of the usual Cattaraugus stamp.

[Inno]

I picked up this Cattaraugus sheath knife today in original sheath.

It seems to be a hunting/skinning knife, judging by the blade profile and the serrations along the top of the blade in the thumb area.

I'd be interested to know approximately when it was made and what model it is.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[steve99f]

Inno

Welcome to AAPK. I can't help you much with you knife except to confirm it is a hunting knife whose blade is a type used for skinning an animal. Your knife looks a lot like the one I just got made by Case. See attached. Someone will be along that can shed some light for on your knife. Cattaraugus did go out of business in 1963 so it was made before then.

[Inno]

Thanks Steve for confirming that it's a skinning knife.

It's had a lot of use, so I think it is quite old.

[steve99f]

You are welcome. That sheath looks to be in very good condition and that Indian head is nice. It's possible that Kinfolks made your knife. Most manufacturer's contracted for some knives for various reasons. Case also contracted with Kinfolks as well for some hunting knives. Kinfolks was founded by members of the extended Case family, hence the name Kinfolks. Cattaraugus can also be thought of as part of that group as well in that a Case female married the founder of Cattaraugus and the 4 Case brothers were soon working there. All this history and interconnection is here in the forums to be read when you have a few spare months.

[Inno]

You are welcome. That sheath looks to be in very good condition and that Indian head is nice. It's possible that Kinfolks made your knife. Most manufacturer's contracted for some knives for various reasons. Case also contracted with Kinfolks as well for some hunting knives. Kinfolks was founded by members of the extended Case family, hence the name Kinfolks. Cattaraugus can also be thought of as part of that group as well in that a Case female married the founder of Cattaraugus and the 4 Case brothers were soon working there. All this history and interconnection is here in the forums to be read when you have a few spare months.

Interesting! I had no idea of these connections.

[Inno]

Inno

Welcome to AAPK. I can't help you much with you knife except to confirm it is a hunting knife whose blade is a type used for skinning an animal. Your knife looks a lot like the one I just got made by Case. See attached. Someone will be along that can shed some light for on your knife. Cattaraugus did go out of business in 1963 so it was made before then.

That's a beautiful new knife! I assume that something like that costs more than the old ones that sell under $100.

[steve99f]

Inno:

I'm not sure how old my 92 is. The "CASE" tang stamp with the serifs isn't listed in any of the tang stamp charts but it is one that is very common, so I don't understand how it is missed. I have two other Case fixed blade knives with that stamp. The 92 was discontinued in 1949 according to a couple of sources. My cost was less than $100. Some older knives that survive in mint condition bring thousands. The oldest doesn't even need to be mint. Scarcity and demand plays a part in the valuation as well as condition.

Your Kinfolks is a great start. If you enjoy history and old things, you'll enjoy this website .

[wlf]

On a more aesthetic note, here is one of my favorite knives,...
The tang is stamped 3C inside a circle instead of the usual Cattaraugus stamp.

I can see why Derek.

[1fartsmella]

A recent find, aluminum handle 1 blade pen knife. 2 3/8" closed. Haven't seen many aluminum handle Catts. I wonder if this is from the era when aluminum was as valuable as gold? This has the arched Cattaraugus Cutlery Co Little Valley N.Y. stamp.