Western Fixed Blade Knives

In 1911, H. N. Platts, was able to draw on his extensive friendships and family connections in the cutlery world to start Western States Cutlery and Manufacturing of Boulder Colorado. At first only a jobbing business, by 1920 construction and machinery purchases were underway to begin manufacture of knives. Through name changes--to Western States Cutlery Co. in 1953, then Western Cutlery Co. in 1956--and moves first across town and later to Longmont Colorado, the company stayed under the leadership of the Platt family until 1984. In that year, the company was sold to Coleman, becoming Coleman-Western. Eventually purchased by Camillus in 1991, Western continued until Camillus expired in 2007.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Producer »

garddogg56 wrote:Pro, thats one of my first hunting knives. Nice find ::tu::
Thank you gd.
In the late 60's 70's I had Schrades, Gerbers etc.
I wish I had paid more attention to these beauties Western was making then.
I really like the steel. For me, these Sharpen up easily to a great edge.
I like the double stitching on the sheath for this one.

For what it's worth, I got this one for $20 plus $5 shipping.
Maybe I'm crazy but I thought that was o.k.
Thanks, Harold
I never met a Schrade I didn't like
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Producer »

Delrin 66 [666] :shock: model from 1979 I believe, as it's marked "C".
I use Marbles leather sheaths for under 5" blades if the originals are damaged or missing.
They are under $10 delivered if you look around. They are not bad at all after a little saddle soap or polish.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Producer »

Another L66 [Western - Boulder Colo - USA]
Doing some repair on the sheath, which is original, and cleaned up the knife a bit.
I love a 66. Nice shape and size and wonderful steel.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by garddogg56 »

And Pro you gutta love the steel on them knives ::nod::
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by tongueriver »

I like Westerns. Just some pics.
1930s Westerns001.jpg
little Westerns001.jpg
April 2012 group 1.jpg
April 2012 group 2.jpg
April 2012 group 3.jpg
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by stockman »

Producer wrote:Delrin 66 [666] :shock: model from 1979 I believe, as it's marked "C".
I use Marbles leather sheaths for under 5" blades if the originals are damaged or missing.
They are under $10 delivered if you look around. They are not bad at all after a little saddle soap or polish.
Producer, I have seen on AAPK bad reports on the modern Marbles Moose & Goose sheaths. Possible
causing blade staining.

Harold
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Producer »

stockman wrote:
Producer wrote:Delrin 66 [666] :shock: model from 1979 I believe, as it's marked "C".
I use Marbles leather sheaths for under 5" blades if the originals are damaged or missing.
They are under $10 delivered if you look around. They are not bad at all after a little saddle soap or polish.
Producer, I have seen on AAPK bad reports on the modern Marbles Moose & Goose sheaths. Possible
causing blade staining.

Harold
Stockman, thanks for posting this.
I've used 5 of these in the last few years[no problems] but the last one ,purchased about 4-6 weeks ago, I had a problem with a Westcut K-5 after leaving it in the sheath overnight.
It was like a staining to the blade as you have said. I thought it was the polish I had used on it even though this had never happened before.
I wasn't aware of this until now but it makes sense.
Obviously I retract recommending these sheaths.
I did mange to clean up the K-5 and the sheath is usable now but I [instinctively?] had moved my least liked blade into it.
I thought it was something in the saddlesoap/polish I had.
:oops:
Thanks again
Harold
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Producer »

Picked up another West-Cut K-5.
This one has a bigger, swept back guard than my other one has.
They are lighter, half the handle pins of the "66" models and less fancy too.
These K-5's get really sharp for me and I don't consider myself that good at sharpening.
The markings are similar but not exact. Seller claimed it was pre-1958 manufacturing.
I don't know but I like the design and the price was very good.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by djknife13 »

Here's two stag Westerns. The top one is origional and the bottom is a recovered gas-aholic. I have had bad luck with Westerns cracked ice scales, especially in the Boulder era. I have had three model 239's gas.___Dave
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by galvanic1882 »

Just picked up a batch of older Western's that have been in a collection for a long time, trying to help the family move some of this stuff. Never collected them but these have me considering it!! Most of these are mint except for a couple.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by FRJ »

Nice knives, Mike.
Last photo of two knives shows one on left with no pommel. Interesting.
Do you know the history of that knife?
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by btrwtr »

tongueriver that is an impressive bunch of Westerns. Thanks for sharing!

Producer I'd be careful with the new Marble's sheaths like you pictured. Don't know that they are all bad but I stored a Marble's Woodcraft in one and it came out three days later looking like a piece of burnt toast.

Not vegetable tanned leather.

chrome tanned leather + carbon steel = burnt toast finish.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by galvanic1882 »

FRJ wrote:Nice knives, Mike.
Last photo of two knives shows one on left with no pommel. Interesting.
Do you know the history of that knife?
Not sure what you mean about the history of it? Made by Western maybe 1940?
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by FRJ »

Sorry, Mike, I wasn't clear. Is the handle original to the knife?
I haven't seen that handle before. Thanks.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by tongueriver »

FRJ wrote:Sorry, Mike, I wasn't clear. Is the handle original to the knife?
I haven't seen that handle before. Thanks.
Offered in the 1930s. If you scroll up to the pics I posted you will see another one.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by FRJ »

Thank you, Tongueriver.
The one with the serrated spine? (if that's the proper term)
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by galvanic1882 »

This one has a straight back to it, no serrations.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by tongueriver »

galvanic1882 wrote:This one has a straight back to it, no serrations.
Righto. The one I posted has the scaler spine; they were sold both ways. I see them in the 1936 and the 1941 catalog pages.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by edge213 »

640. I don't believe this is the original sheath.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Producer »

Westerns
Snuck a Marbles in there, sorry :shock:
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Miller Bro's »

::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Producer »

Miller Bro's wrote:::tu:: ::tu::
Thanks. MB's.
I love Westerns and the L36 really appeals to me.
I don't see too many lately.
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Re: Western Fixed Blade Knives

Post by Miller Bro's »

Producer wrote: I love Westerns and the L36 really appeals to me.
I don't see too many lately.

I don't either, I use to turn them down there were so many at one time :o
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