German Bulldog knives

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Targetman
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Targetman »

Hello, in the year 2000 Bulldog Brand had several Millenium knives introduced that year. Most were celluloid but there were natural handle materials also. The first runs were tang stamped with the Standing Dog. The second run were tang stamped with the Double Dog Head. So there were two versions to collect. These sold out quickly!
Here are a few Mother of Pearl and stag examples I have.
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Quick Steel
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Quick Steel »

As usual T Man, a choice selection. ::tu::
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Targetman »

Good morning, two Bulldogs today. The first one is a Bulldog 5 inch closed folding Hunter two blade with dark brown jigged bone. Blade etch is Bull of the Woods. Master blade has the long pull so it is second generation with 36 made.
Second knife is a Bulldog 4 7/8 inch Stag 1 blade locker. Blade is etched Calf Roper. Note the lock mechanism is located behind the blade instead of behind the mainspring. 100 of these were made. There is also a jigged green bone version you have seen earlier in this thread.
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billbeer
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by billbeer »

Newbie to this forum. I just purchased a Bulldog barlow (Tobacco) 1st Gen in green bone. Carbon steel blades but was wondering if anyone knows what grade of steel it is? I'm excited about the arrival of this knife (hasn't't gotten here yet). I've read, with interest, some of the history of this company; seems many knife companies have pretty interesting ...characters associated with them.
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Quick Steel
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Quick Steel »

billbeer, Welcome aboard. ::handshake:: I think you'll find AAPK a pretty interesting place to visit with lots of good and interesting people. In choosing a Bulldog you have chosen a great brand. I'm assuming your new Barlow was produced in Solingen Germany. The newer China made Bulldogs (a differen tcompany) are a lesser knife. Pkease be sure to post a photo when your Barlow arrives. As you can see from looking around we love seeing each other's photos.
doglegg
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by doglegg »

Welcome billbeer. The German and US Bulldogs are a great brand. I bet you like it. ::nod::
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Targetman »

billbeer..Welcome to All About Pocket knives...you will find a wealth of information to be gleaned from the forum topics. You have a great Bulldog knife coming...the jigged green bone handle material is reminiscent of old school craft. I have been collecting German and USA made Bulldogs for 24 years and have yet to be disappointed with their quality. As far as your original question, I do not know the composition or the designated number of steel used in their blades but have read in Jim Parkers catalogs where he referred it to Blue Steel. You could possibly Google that and see what comes up.
You will look forward to many more purchases after you see the quality of your first German Bulldog. Once again, WELCOME ABOARD.
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Targetman »

Hi billbeer, I took my own advice and Googled blue steel. The information I got was that blue carbon steel has Tungsten and Chromium added for Rust resistance and Wear resistance. Sounds good to me!
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by billbeer »

Thanks to all who wrote such welcoming posts. The Bulldog barlow looks to be well made. I think that I will be happy owning it. I am not familiar with the terminally : "blue steel". Is that what the blades are made of? My knife has a spey master blade and a pen secondary blade. It is etched "Our Best" and has "SD" etched between the words "Our Best". The tang stamp states "SD Cut" and made in Solingen Germany. Any additional information would be appreciated.

BTW, I am new to knife collecting/using. My first pocket knife was a Case that was given to me by my dad 60 years ago - sorry to say I don't have it anymore - was stolen. Any way, my Dad allay loved his Case knives until I bought him a Buck 303 stockman some where in the mid to late '70's. He really loved it and used it almost every day until he died about 11 years ago. He wore the blades down to nubs - ha ha. I bought one for myself at the same time I bought one for my dad and I still have it in near unused condition. What a great little knife.

I'm not sure how many knives I want to own nor if I want to carry and use them all. I have the Bulldog and also a NOS Case Barlow made in 1979 with appaloosa bone scales (just a beautiful and well made as the Bulldog. I also have an unused GEC American Jack in white bone (maybe the most beautiful knife I own but the Bulldog is neck and neck with it). I will post a picture of the Bulldog;ldog barlow a little later on.

Again thanks to all for being so gracious and free with your expertise. I really love learning about the history of all knives and knife companies.
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Targetman »

Hello billbeer, yes blue steel refers to the blade steel.
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by billbeer »

Pictures of my latest acquisition as promised:
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Targetman
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Targetman »

That is a fine looking Barlow and one you will be proud to collect or carry! I also liked the story about your dad and his knives. My father also liked a good knife and each time I handle one it brings back fond memories of him. You will find as the years go by that your Dads knives will become more precious and valuable to you than any amount of money could ever buy!
doglegg
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by doglegg »

billbeer, that one is a beauty. Enjoy it. ::nod:: ::tu::
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Quick Steel
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Quick Steel »

Congratulations billbeer. I have the same Barlow and like the large distinctive bolster.
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by billbeer »

Can anyone comment on the significance of the "Tobacco" branding of the bolster? Also, these barlows all have the bolster trim in black - how was that done? With paint? Mine is starting to come off and I was wondering what to do about it?
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Quick Steel
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Quick Steel »

billbeer, I'll attempt some answers. Anyone with more or better input please join in. Tobacco and Horses are two common themes with BDs especially in the earlier generations. Many were made for S&D Hardware which was (is?) located in Tennesse and Kentucky. This was big tobacco growing and horse racing country. In fact S&D sold saddles and tack as well as general hardware for the tobacco growers and abundant farmers.

Since you have a 1st. gen Barlow were talking about a knife at least; 30 years old. I believe I see some rust spots on the spine of the pen knife. Also the bolsters and perhaps the covers look dull, I suspect the covers are quite dry. In other words your knife was evidently not well maintained.

My suggestions are: -remove any rust. Pencil erasers often work. I have an eraser made for knives but it is just a larger version.
- I would let the knife soak in plain mineral oil for at least a day. Do not use Baby Oil which has chemicals added.
-Then wipe it down with a clean cloth; apply polish. As you use the knife wipe it down with an oily rag when done.
-If you find the joints stiff even after the mineral bath put a few drops of break free or other good lube and work the
blades

Don't know if you can save the "black" but if you keep the bolster polished it will look good. A good knife deserves good
maintenance.
doglegg
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by doglegg »

Thanks QS for the explanation on the prevalence of Tobacco and race horses on early Bull dogs. And great advice too on maintainence. ::nod:: ::tu::
billbeer
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by billbeer »

Thanks for the info QuickSteel. I have heard different explanation for the "SD". Interesting stuff though. Yes, I suspect the knife was not cared for but no rust anywhere that I can see but I did give it a bath with mineral oil but not a soak. Wiped it down and lubed the blades. Pen is a little rough but the master has smoothed out. Thanks much for your maintenance advise.
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edge213
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by edge213 »

BD tobacco stag barlow.
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David
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doglegg
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by doglegg »

Very sweet David, handles look a little pocket worn, knice look! ::nod:: ::tu::
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by edge213 »

doglegg wrote:Very sweet David, handles look a little pocket worn, knice look! ::nod:: ::tu::
Thanks man!
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billbeer
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by billbeer »

edge213 wrote:BD tobacco stag barlow.
Beautiful knife David. Love the blade combination.
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by billbeer »

Targetman wrote:Hello billbeer, yes blue steel refers to the blade steel.
Thanks for your follow-up on the blade steel question(s). I also took your advice and did a little digging on the topic. As a former steel worker and engineer I was a little curious as to the metallurgical qualities of "Blue Steel". Seem the Japanese use it a lot in their chef's knives. However, I don't believe it has anything to do with the Japanese being the sole producers of that very fine steel. Since my blade yang stamp on the pen blade says "English Steel". Here's a web site that you might find interesting (if you haven't already seen it).
https://japanesechefsknife.com/collecti ... rbon-steel

Looks to me that our German Bulldogs have great steel in them.
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by Targetman »

Hello billbeer, interesting read on your link. I have a couple of Bulldogs that I actually carry and are not part of my collection!. I have found that blue steel sharpens easily on a hard Arkansas stone but keeps its edge under hard use. A chef's steel is all that's needed to straighten the blade edge to maintain sharpness before resharpening is needed.
However, as with all carbon steels, fruit acids will darken the steel as you peel , slice, or core certain fruits. Clean the blade asap and re-oil. I keep one a lot in my pocket and have never had any issues with them. As with any good knife of merit, they are not screwdrivers, prybars, or chisels. Abuse is for your crap China made knives!
billbeer
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Re: German Bulldog knives

Post by billbeer »

I have done more digging and for anyone who is interested, here's what I've managed to cobble together from several sources:
Bulldog Brand Knife History......
Charlie Dorton had the first Bulldog Brand Knife produced in 1978 in the Friedrich Olbertz Factory in Solingen West Germany. Bulldog Brand Knives are still produced in the same factory. Bulldog Knives have five important periods in their existence; collectors refer to them as different generations.
First Generation. 1978 – 1987; Thirty two different patterns were produced. Out of 32 patterns came 469 styles. A Bulldog Brand Knife Collectors Club was formed in the early 1980’s and a number was assigned to each knife as it went to a customer. There were no Bulldog knives shipped into the United States from late 1987 to 1992. While Charlie Dorton owned the Bulldog Knife Company in the 80's, Dave Scott joined with him to produce knives with the S&D, OUR BEST, blade Etch. They felt, and most agree, that they were some of the finest knives being imported from Germany. As Dave Scott has been quoted as saying, they have a different feel than almost any other knife. The Barlow pattern is one of the finest, as I am sure you know.
S&D Enterprises was the sole distributor of these knives and they were in limited quantities. The S&D OUR BEST blade etch is on several different patterns and I like the quality of them all. S&D Enterprises had an office in Maysville Ky. and some of the 1st generation bulldog knives bear this blade etch also. They are in Manchester Ohio now but it is believed they only produce display cases for knives.
Second Generation. 1991 – 1992; Jim Parker purchased the Bulldog Brand Knife Company. In 1992 the Olbertz factory shipped about 7,000 Bulldog knives to the USA. Later, some knife parts were purchased from Blue Grass Cutlery to complete additional Bulldog knife sets.
Third Generation. 1993 – 1995; 17 new knife patterns were ordered from the Olbertz factory and 5 new handle materials were introduced. Oyster Shell handle material and Lady Leg knives were introduced in this year. The third generation knives ended the era of the two “Fighting Dogs” stamp.
Fourth Generation. 1996 - Early 2000; Jim Parker commissioned an artist to draw “Lucky” Mrs. Parkers purple ribbon bred American Pit Bull Terrier. This drawing appeared as the new Bulldog Knives trademark in 1996.
Fifth Generation. 2000-2003; According to Jim Parker’s “Pocket Knife Traders Price Guide”, the double dog head stamp was introduced around this time.
2004 Silver Anniversary; Reintroduction of the “Fighting Dog” Tang Stamp. 25 Year – Silver Anniversary of Bulldog Brand Knives.2005 – 2008; February 2005, Bulldog Brand Knives retired the Double Dog Head Tang Stamp, and replaced it with a single Fighting Bulldog Stamp. A trademark has to be used every three years to keep it active, so a few knives with the rare two “Fighting Dogs” stamp are released every few years.
Those Bull Dog Brand Knives that are 100% Completely Handmade in Solingen, Germany by Master Cutlers have each Carbon steel blade individually hammer-forged with over 240 hand operations going into each knife, then each blade is reverse frost etched with the Double Dog Head logo. Nickel Silver Pins and Shield, and Brass Liners add to the top quality craftsmanship.
Source: "Pocket Knife Trader's Price Guide Volume 8" By: James "Buzz" Parker and Ed Henley
Sixth Generation – 2009 to Present; Bulldog Brand USA Knives are being manufactured by Great Eastern Cutlery in Titusville, PA and models are product by Queen Cutlery in Titusville, PA. Bulldog Brand USA Knives are high quality Knives, made in the USA, that carry on the Bulldog Brand Legacy.

Some have said that Frost now has the Bulldog name. If so that probably explains the made in China on some Bulldog knives. All of the Chinese made Bulldogs are imported by Frost Cutlery and can be easily identified by the raised fighting dog shield. I have heard that are a pretty decent knife for use. They are made in the same factory as Rough Rider and other higher quality imports offered by Frost. But they are still China made, can be purchased for less than $10.00 and don't resell well at all.
There are more Bulldogs on the market that are German made. After Jim Parker passed away, The Frederick Olbertz factory in Solingen got stuck with a large quantity of knives and a lot of parts. Recently someone bought the remaining knives and stock and they are releasing fighting dog tang stamp knives with 1995 date stamp and a round dog head shield. It has been claimed that those knives are of excellent quality just like the original Parker Bulldogs. I can’t corroborate that though. Sorry for any grammatical and spelling errors.
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