The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923

[j.thorn]

Here is a Walden knife that belonged to my grandfather (born 7/4/1882, Riverdale, NY). I have no idea of the approximate date of manufacture but perhaps someone here knows.

j.thorn

[stockman]

Very nice.

Harold

[bladeguy58]

Here is a Walden knife that belonged to my grandfather (born 7/4/1882, Riverdale, NY). I have no idea of the approximate date of manufacture but perhaps someone here knows.

j.thorn

Interesting about your knife, here is a picture of mine that has 3 blades and a file but is stamped HS&B who was an old Hdwe wholesaler between 1855-1960. Miller Bros posted a Walden just like yours in the Big, Bad, or Bold Bolsters. It's really hard sometimes to identify exactly when a particular knife was made if they don't have a code system like case of changed their markings through the years. I just won an auction for an I*XL but it said it was made between 1891-1971 so figuring out when it was made is a challenge.
Good luck,
Bladeguy

[msteele6]

Just to venture a guess.

Aluminum is the third most abundant element in Earth's crust. However, because of the difficulty of extracting it from its ores it was, until the late 1800's more expensive than gold. By the time the Washington Monument (which has an aluminum capstone) was finished in 1884 it was still as expensive as silver. For this reason aluminum was a luxury item that had some cachet at the time (for example, the German Kaiser had an Aluminum Helmet).

I believe that the aluminum bolstered pocket knife (generally with pearl handles) was a high end good. Probably it took until the 1900's before they were commonly produced. Your knife, I believe, was probably produced sometime between 1910 and say 1930 (the Depression) I have seen them with various manufacturer's stampings including Keen Kutter, New York Knife, Hibbard, Spencer and Bartlett, Walden and others which I've forgotten (if you notice, all of the companies mentioned have roots or ties to Walden N.Y.). If you look on eBay right now there are three or four for sale (none in quite as good condition as yours). They aren't super rare or valuable but are certainly quite collectible.

An interesting knife on eBay right now is a knife marked "Springbrooke Knife Co." The seller states (and Levine agrees) that this knife was made by NYK. Levine dates this marking to c1914 - 1920 and I believe that your knife would have a production date somewhere in the same general timeframe, as stated above.


JMO

[bladeguy58]

Just to venture a guess.

Aluminum is the third most abundant element in Earth's crust. However, because of the difficulty of extracting it from its ores it was, until the late 1800's more expensive than gold. By the time the Washington Monument was erected in 1884 it was still as expensive as silver. For this reason aluminum was a luxury item that had some cachet at the time (for example, the German Kaiser had an Aluminum Helmet).

I believe that the aluminum bolstered pocket knife (generally with pearl handles) was a high end good. Probably it took until the 1900's before they were commonly produced. Your knife, I believe, was probably produced sometime between 1910 and say 1930 (the Depression) I have seen them with various manufacturer's stampings including Keen Kutter, New York Knife, Hibbard, Spencer and Bartlett, Walden and others which I've forgotten (if you notice, all of the companies mentioned have roots or ties to Walden N.Y.). If you look on eBay right now there are three or four for sale (none in quite as good condition as yours). They aren't super rare or valuable but are certainly quite collectible.

An interesting knife on eBay right now is a knife marked "Springbrooke Knife Co." The seller states (and Levine agrees) that this knife was made by NYK. Levine dates this marking to c1914 - 1920 and I believe that your knife would have a production date somewhere in the same general timeframe, as stated above.


JMO

Thanks for the history lesson!

[j.thorn]

Yes, very informative! Thanks also.

[galvanic1882]

Here's my latest Walden. I saw this knife years ago at a show and tried many times to trade for it but could not make the deal work. Then a member picked it up from the dealer that had it and he was gracious enough to work with me on a trade! Thanks Mark!!! I just love the etch on it.

[tjmurphy]

WOW!!!! That Tickler is Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8!

[danno50]

galvanic1882, that is a really beautiful knife. Great condition and etch. I also really like that hunter pattern.
Dan

[PA Knives]

Check out this. The shield is fitted well but just on and angle. Sooooo, mistake or on purpose?

[galvanic1882]

Wow, I don't know but the quality control went out the window on that one so I would think that it got moved after it left the factory?? Is it pinned on with one pin in the center??

Good to see a post from you David!!

[btrwtr]

Most every shield of that type has one pin in the center and I've seen quite a few of them pivot on the pin axis. I can't tell from the picture but is the shield sitting in a routed channel? Nice looking knife but I would doubt the shield position was done on purpose. Best guess it is either a very strange mistake or has turned since leaving the factory.

Wayne

[carrmillus]

Here is a Walden knife that belonged to my grandfather (born 7/4/1882, Riverdale, NY). I have no idea of the approximate date of manufacture but perhaps someone here knows.

j.thorn

......your grandpa and my grandpa were born in the same year!!!!!!!!........ ...............

[Beechtree]

Mike, I understand why you were hounding after it for so long! So great that you were able to get it. Congratulations and thanks for sharing it.

[Another Knife Collector]

A recent purchase, well worn but a nice honest old knife. Unusual pattern, surveyors jack.

[btrwtr]

What the surveyor lost in use it makes up for in character. Fine looking old and honest knife!

Wayne

[Miller Bro's]

An all Stainless one for the till..................

[danno50]

Beauiful knife, MB. Great bone!
Dan

[Shearer]

Like the bone handles.

Grant

[msteele6]

Nice one!

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks guys

[jerryd6818]

Dimitri, you have some of the greatest knives.

[carrmillus]

An all Stainless one for the till..................

..mb, nice old knife!!!......love the bone on that one!!!!!....................... ...........

[Miller Bro's]

Thank you Jerry, I am very fortunate to have some nice ones in my collection.

Thanks Tommy, the bone handles are really nice on this one, all the Walden made knives had attractive bone handles.

[djknife13]

Here are 4 of my Waldens including a large military, a pearl lobster, a fat jack (nearly 1/4 inch thick blade and a snap to move it), and a aluminum bartenders.