Robeson pocket knives

The first Robeson knives were imported by Millard Robeson from England and Germany exclusively. This continued from 1979 until 1896 when Robeson began manufacturing knives in the United States. Since inception, the company has gone through several reorganizations & eventually ended up as a Queen Cutlery brand.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

Thank you Phil.
Yes, the perfect Sunday knife. ::tu::
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by bestgear »

That MOP is a beauty Joe, carry her in good health my friend!
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by Duffer »

Just recently acquired this Robeson rare unique shield Pocket Eze Jack. Has dark chocolate brown jigged bone handles and is 3.625" closed. In very high end near mint never sharpened post factory condition. Clean inside and out with no corrosion or discoloring. It is pattern no. 623698.

Special shout-out to Charlie N. who advised and helped me evaluate this specimen prior to purchase. His input gave me the confidence to proceed with the purchase. The knife had some kind of clear coat on the blades that Charlie had seen before and thought this one might also. He was right and advised me on how to get it off. I will let Charlie elaborate more on that if he cares to. Apparently Robeson did this on some of their display knives. Anyway, it cleaned right up and the blades are near mint to mint. Thanks and much appreciated Charlie!!

I have posted a photo of the usually seen Pocket Eze shield most common and frequently encountered if you can even say Pocket Eze folders are frequently encountered especially in high grade condition ::nod:: Lloyd
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

A beautiful knife and a beautiful shield, Lloyd. ::tu::

You probably already know that Robeson called that shield a "double bomb shield", according to my Robeson book.

Congratulations on a great knife. Great of Charlie to help you.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

Lloyd, that came out better than I thought. ::tu:: ::woot::

We should show them the auction photos. ::nod::

Robeson used to put a clear coating on the blades of their display board knives. When encountered now, it has begun to peel or flake off and looks like rust damage. It will clean off with a little naptha or finger nail polish remover, but don't use that on celluloid handled knives unless you are really careful.

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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by RalphAlsip »

Lloyd, your Robeson is beautiful! ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by Quick Steel »

That is a fine looking acquisition. ::tu::
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by philco »

Lloyd, congratulations on acquiring that knife. It's a jewel. ::tu::

You couldn't find a better mentor when it comes to Robesons but I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by Duffer »

Thank you very much Joe, Charlie, Ralph, QS and Phil--your kind comments are much appreciated!!

Joe thanks for reminding me about the double bomb shield. I had not remembered that so thank you!

Best, Lloyd
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

Here's a little pen with Abalone shield.
Thanks for looking.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

.............. and I was wondering ..... does anybody know when Robeson used Abalone shields?

Thank you.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

I don't believe they did.

Your knife dates from the 1950's and 1960's. During that time, shields were glued on, not pinned. I think your shield fell off and it has been replaced with abalone.

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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

Thank you, Charlie.
So, the glue that didn't stick. There must be a lot of shields from a lot of knife makers littering the country.
Well, it's a nice little knife anyway.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

I don't usually buy very small knives unless they have an important name. An important name to me.
Here's a little 2 1/2" Robeson. It behaves like a bigger knife, sunk joints and all.
It even has a clip to make it think its big. :)
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

Very nice. I don't think I've ever seen that pattern before.

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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by americanedgetech »

I've never noticed until now but Robeson knives have a very unique flow between the body, and the blades.
I don't know how to explain it but there is something they do in the geometry that makes the knives appear slick, and flowing rather than the sort of bulky/blocky feel of many other brands. Even in similar patterns.

Is this just me on a good day seeing this?
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

Probably what you are seeing is the flush blades. The backs of the blades on a great many Robeson knives do not project above the frame, hence the name "PocketEze".

Not all Robeson knives were built that way, though.

Charlie
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

Here is a fine little Robeson. 3 inches closed.
Very finely made knife here. Strong spring.
No pattern number on the back of the tang.
Would this be a pen knife?
Would this be one of Millard Robeson's early imports?
Not mother of pearl covers.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

That was Robeson's contribution to a bicentennial celebration of George Washington.

Other manufacturers made similar knives the same year, 1932, the two-hundreth anniversary of Washington's birth.

Apparently, the knives were meant to be a replica of a knife that Washington once owned and still exists and is in the possession of the Masonic Lodge to which he belonged.

I have personally never seen a photo of the actual knife, but I suspect it has genuine pearl handles.

Here is the one I have and the wrapper that came with the knives from Robeson.

Ignore the date on the card, it is not correct.

Charlie
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

Thank you, Charlie, for that information.
It really is a nice knife.
I posted it elsewhere and TJ Murphy has a George Washington Camillus at 2 1/2" .

I'm surprised Washington hung on to it for all those years.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by woodwalker »

Nice knives Joe and Charlie! Thanks for keeping all of us drooling over all your posts! First thing I do when I get home from work is check the Robeson site! It's a nice place to go after a hard days work and you both put great knives on display for all of us. Have a great evening! :) ::tu::
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

Thank you for the nice comments, woodwalker. ::tu::
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by woodwalker »

Joe that old trapper you carried the other day "very careful" was also very beautiful. Thomaston maybea. I meant to comment on it. Two I keep in velvet pouches in my sock drawer are my beautiful Robeson pearl mini barlow from Charlie and a waterville warcliff half whitler that I bought off aapk. Those two are my pride and joys! I break them out every so often and smile! I love the old ones. I started out buying new case knives and then a few new queen knives and then joined aapk and seen all the vintage knives and now that's what I look for at antique stores and such. They are few and far between but the hunt sure is gratifying.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by kootenay joe »

Are the handles on the Robeson cracked ice celluloid ? They don't look like typical Cracked Ice but you say they are not pearl so i don't know what else they could be.
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Re: Robeson pocket knives

Post by FRJ »

They aren't mother of pearl.
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