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

Post by knfcollector »

Here’s a couple of sweet Cattaraugus pearls I picked up recently. Never seen this sowbelly pattern and the stamp is really light. The pearl stockman has been cleaned but you don’t often see pearl stockman patterns.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Today I add this pocket knife to my general pocket knife collection. It's a Cattaraugus 32409, 3 blade, 3 3/8" closed, whittler pocket knife. I gave it a very light cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Ridgegrass »

That's a sweetie! Congrat's. J.O'.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Ridgegrass wrote: Sat Oct 31, 2020 11:29 pm That's.....
Thank you J.O'. 🍻
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by galvanic1882 »

Here's some more Cattaraugus history. I've posted the knife before but never the other items.

George Sherman started working for Cattaraugus Cutlery at the turn of the century as a machinist and die maker. His son was the superintendent of the company and worked there 55 years starting on Jan 24, 1898. The items shown all belonged to Mr. Sherman and the picture is of him in the factory.

Note the time card and the "E" pin for service at the cutlery during WW2. The Cutlery was awarded the "E" rating for their work during the war and other individuals received the award and pin also.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by doglegg »

Pearl, bone and ephemera, what a great start to a page. ::tu::
And some history!!! ::nod::
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Jacknifeben »

You are the man, don’t know how you find the good stuff.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by utahbound »

Nice stuff Mike!

Can you imaging working at the Cattaraugus factory all those years?

What a story!
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

galvanic1882 wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:07 pm Here's.....
GREAT items Mike! ::tu:: Can you post the picture here also.
viewtopic.php?f=118&t=68236
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by kootenay joe »

Here is a large 4 3/8" swell center whittler. The blades suffered some pitting possibly from off gassing of nearby celluloid, and then the blades were buffed. Most of the tang markings have been removed but i can just make out the beginning of "Cattaraugus" in an arch.
I think this size of swell center whittler is somewhat rare.
kj
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by edge213 »

kootenay joe wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:06 pm Here is a large 4 3/8" swell center whittler. The blades suffered some pitting possibly from off gassing of nearby celluloid, and then the blades were buffed. Most of the tang markings have been removed but i can just make out the beginning of "Cattaraugus" in an arch.
I think this size of swell center whittler is somewhat rare.
kj
Love this one , especially the shield.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by utahbound »

Hey guys,

Since it's the Christmas Season, I thought I should make a photo with a pair of Cattaraugus gentleman's knives handled in Christmas Tree
celluloid. The image still needs a little work. There is an etch on the smaller knife as well.

Here's hoping for a wonderful New Year!
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by peanut740 »

utahbound wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 2:09 am Hey guys,

Since it's the Christmas Season, I thought I should make a photo with a pair of Cattaraugus gentleman's knives handled in Christmas Tree
celluloid. The image still needs a little work. There is an etch on the smaller knife as well.

Here's hoping for a wonderful New Year!
Those are neat!Not your normal Christmas tree handles. ::tu::
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by galvanic1882 »

utahbound wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 2:09 am Hey guys,

Since it's the Christmas Season, I thought I should make a photo with a pair of Cattaraugus gentleman's knives handled in Christmas Tree
celluloid. The image still needs a little work. There is an etch on the smaller knife as well.

Here's hoping for a wonderful New Year!
Hey Roland that is one great knife!!! ::tu::

Thanks Derek for posting those knives ::tu:: and in full disclosure Derek gave the top knife to me for Christmas!! Goes well with 2 others I have that are the same construction.

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

Post by galvanic1882 »

kootenay joe wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:06 pm Here is a large 4 3/8" swell center whittler. The blades suffered some pitting possibly from off gassing of nearby celluloid, and then the blades were buffed. Most of the tang markings have been removed but i can just make out the beginning of "Cattaraugus" in an arch.
I think this size of swell center whittler is somewhat rare.
kj
Roland like I said before great knife. Here is an old 1897 envelope that shows the knife and some other Cattaraugus items. Inside the envelope was a shipping notice dated 1897
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by edge213 »

utahbound wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 2:09 am Hey guys,

Since it's the Christmas Season, I thought I should make a photo with a pair of Cattaraugus gentleman's knives handled in Christmas Tree
celluloid. The image still needs a little work. There is an etch on the smaller knife as well.

Here's hoping for a wonderful New Year!
The handles on these two are quite attractive.
David
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

galvanic1882 wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 2:33 pm Roland.....
Mike, those are GREAT items! I really like that envelope. ::tu::
Would you PLEASE post them here also.
viewtopic.php?f=118&t=68236&start=30
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by kootenay joe »

Mike, thank you. Very significant documentation you have. The backside of the envelope is like a catalogue page showing knife razor and scissors. Very 'neat'. I have never seen this type of envelope before. This paperwork is an important and significant addition to your collection.
And shows my knife could be as old as 1897 which is older than i had guessed.
Great post, thanks again.
kj
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Ripster »

kootenay joe wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:06 pm Here is a large 4 3/8" swell center whittler. The blades suffered some pitting possibly from off gassing of nearby celluloid, and then the blades were buffed. Most of the tang markings have been removed but i can just make out the beginning of "Cattaraugus" in an arch.
I think this size of swell center whittler is somewhat rare.
kj
Roland, that’s a beautiful old piece of Cutlery, how long have you had it? It sure is nice, have you been able to get a date of manufacture ,or there about? Thanks to all of you that have contributed here ,nice stuff all around .
Take care ,stay warm and safe out there.
JP
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by JohnR »

Going to put this Catt sheepsfoot jack here also, forgot we now have a dedicated Catt forum.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by Ripster »

Beautiful piece of Cutlery there Sir. The Bones, shield, swedge on main ,what a great way to start this Year. Thanks for posting another beauty.
Take care stay warm and safe out there. ::tu::
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by utahbound »

"Here is an old 1897 envelope that shows the knife and some other Cattaraugus items. Inside the envelope was a shipping notice dated 1897"

Great Find!!!

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

Post by knife7knut »

Don't think I posted these before but if I did ;sorry. Got it at an estate sale this past summer on the third day.Can't believe I missed it the first couple times of looking.Guess everybody was looking at all the KA-BAR Collector's Club knives.The others I've acquired since my first post in this thread in 2014. I have a couple of the small cleavers now and the one fish knife that has the boar's head on the handle isn't marked but it looks like the other ones I have that are.The Catt folding machete I had only the picture with the Case.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by JohnR »

A Catt MOP whittler I just picked up.
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Re: Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Little Valley N.Y. 1886-1963

Post by FRJ »

What a beautiful knife, John. Such nice condition. ::tu:: ::tu::
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