the real deal or not?
why is it or isn't it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Tidioute-Po ... dZViewItem
any input on this one
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sunburst
- Posts: 2921
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- Location: The Scrublands of Central Florida
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knifeaholic
- Gold Tier
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- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Central Massachusetts
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knifeaholic
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5598
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Central Massachusetts
I have posted this observation before, but I recall that in the 70's and early 80's, at knife shows, there were a lot of TIDIOUTE stamped blades floating around...not fully finished and polished but in a semi-finished state. I have no idea where these particular blades came from, but people did occasionally find hoards of old blades in those days by poking around the old knife factory towns and asking around.
This particular seller seems to specialize in "cleaning" old pocket knives...er..that is.."cleaning" out the old broken blades and/or broken handles and installing replacements.
This particular seller seems to specialize in "cleaning" old pocket knives...er..that is.."cleaning" out the old broken blades and/or broken handles and installing replacements.
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knifeaholic
- Gold Tier
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- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Central Massachusetts
Ok..to deconstruct this particular "specimen.....
The blades I believe could be authentic (see my post above) but look unfinished, especially when you look at the tangs....they were double-headed (glazed) but not fully crocused.
The bone handles - tough to tell from the pics, but looks like newish rough-jigged bone like you might have seen on lower end Solingen-made pocketknives in the 60's and 70's.
The battle axe shield - a nice touch, but does not look right at all on this knife. Several American knife manufacturers used a "Battle-Axe" shield in the pre-WWII days, but this ain't one of them. It looks like it was just roughly pinned to the surface of the bone without a recess being cut. And no genuine quality older knife would have that shield pin roughly finished and visible like that.
The blades I believe could be authentic (see my post above) but look unfinished, especially when you look at the tangs....they were double-headed (glazed) but not fully crocused.
The bone handles - tough to tell from the pics, but looks like newish rough-jigged bone like you might have seen on lower end Solingen-made pocketknives in the 60's and 70's.
The battle axe shield - a nice touch, but does not look right at all on this knife. Several American knife manufacturers used a "Battle-Axe" shield in the pre-WWII days, but this ain't one of them. It looks like it was just roughly pinned to the surface of the bone without a recess being cut. And no genuine quality older knife would have that shield pin roughly finished and visible like that.
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PA Knives
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:53 pm
- Location: The "Magic Circle" in NW Pennsylvania
HI!
I have looked over the comments on this knife with great interest. I have commented on this seller's items before. I actually called several historical writers yesterday and discussed this knife at length. Of course the book I am currently writing is specific to the knife companies of Tidioute so I am very familar with the subject matter. I can confidently say that this knife is made from parts. The battle axe shield is the first give away. The handle are not from this company either. This seller is known to "professionally clean" knives which makes good identification difficult at best. There are several other questionable items on this knife too. I look foward to the book publishing as these companies are haveing a lot of fraud. The comment about many being in circulation years ago is right on. I have proof of the problem and can help anyone with identification if they need it. If you are unsure, please contact me as I will be glad to help anyone.
I have looked over the comments on this knife with great interest. I have commented on this seller's items before. I actually called several historical writers yesterday and discussed this knife at length. Of course the book I am currently writing is specific to the knife companies of Tidioute so I am very familar with the subject matter. I can confidently say that this knife is made from parts. The battle axe shield is the first give away. The handle are not from this company either. This seller is known to "professionally clean" knives which makes good identification difficult at best. There are several other questionable items on this knife too. I look foward to the book publishing as these companies are haveing a lot of fraud. The comment about many being in circulation years ago is right on. I have proof of the problem and can help anyone with identification if they need it. If you are unsure, please contact me as I will be glad to help anyone.
Contributions to Knife Magazine ,
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
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Kiferbros
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:50 pm
Great input ,good read, great info.
well another fine example of a group comming together and making a well informed decision.
I to believe the ax shield was a bit overkill for this knife it just does not look like it belongs there, and to me that is the biggest giveaway. honestly, I might have been fooled if it wasn't for the shield I do not think I would have taken the extra time to realy read the knife if it didn't jump out so bad.
good work all
I to believe the ax shield was a bit overkill for this knife it just does not look like it belongs there, and to me that is the biggest giveaway. honestly, I might have been fooled if it wasn't for the shield I do not think I would have taken the extra time to realy read the knife if it didn't jump out so bad.
good work all
Pitiful.......I did see a pit and it was full of money.