United Knife Question-

[DMLEATH]

I was hoping to get some info what time frame this was made. Thanks for any input! Knife is around 3 1/4” Closed. Also, is this a German made knife- I don’t see any indications except Rostfrie of where it was made

[TripleF]

My knife book Official Price Guide to Collector Knives 15th Edition, does indeed list United Cutlery, Germany from 1908 - 1920

[Mumbleypeg]

OP knife does not look that old.

Ken

[OLDE CUTLER]

I don't think it is 100 years old either. Was there stainless steel in 1920? There was another United Cutlery that was more recent.

[Mumbleypeg]

The U.S. trademark registry shows a mark similar to the tang stamp (UNITED superimposed on a round "globe" with longitudinal lines) was registered to an address in Sevierville, TN from 1989 to 2000.

https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfiel ... 8a2ej9.2.7

Appears they changed to a different mark after that.

Ken

[DMLEATH]

I agree that the knife doesn’t look that old so the 1989-2000 sounds right. I appreciate the help from all!

[Paladin]

The bolsters look like it might have been made by Boker.

Ray

[Gunsil]

I don't think it is 100 years old either. Was there stainless steel in 1920? There was another United Cutlery that was more recent.

Our usual stainless steel was invented in 1916 but due to WW1 was not available commercially until about 1919-1920. But the knife is a new knife, I think the great Jim Parker had something to do with that United brand.

[Mumbleypeg]

Curious that the knife apparently has no country of origin stamp. Since 1890 items imported for sales into the U.S. have been required to be marked with country of origin. Since 1965 items made in the U.S. have been required to be marked with USA.

Ken

[Sharpnshinyknives]

The COO was probably stamped in ink on the back of one of the blades. I’ve seen several knives from Germany that Parker was involved in that were stamped that way. Not sure what the reason for doing it this way was, seems like someone could easily remove that and claim the knife is something it is not.

[Mumbleypeg]

I see we're going in the same direction. But why on a knife stamped United?

Ken

[just bob]

From an old post;

Then from a 1993 SMKW catalog I have found there were no listings for Rigid knives in the index, however among the listings for United Knives there is an entire page of Rigid Knives. We know from Mr. Tobias that United is an Umbrella company and has likely been that way for years.

Brand
United Cutlery
Owner/TM
United Cutlery
Country, Place of Manufacture: Global/USA
Product notes: United is an umbrella organization which produces a variety of cutlery in every pattern. The line includes fantasy and movie blades replica, low-end and mid-range quality swords and knives. Some knives and swords are "show only, especially their low-cost stainless steel swords. Most production is in China (PRC) but they also produce items in Taiwan and Spain as well as other countries. Being an educated consumer will vastly improve your chances of enjoying a purchase from United cutlery.

Only my guess here and certainly not fact, but at some point and time SMKW owned the United trade mark and they outsourced knives produced by various manufacturers both foreign and domestic. That is why there is such a variance of quality in the United knives. The same maybe true with the Rigid trade mark. That trade mark and has been owned by more than one entity at various times and the manufacturer and the quality of the knife varies with the company that was outsourced to build the knives. Some maybe German, some maybe Camillus, some maybe Bear & son, foreign, etc. Hard to be certain. Too bad a knife doesn't have a date on it. That would really help when you are trying to figure out how actually made the knife.

http://apg2k.hegewisch.net/wow-6.html

[Madmarco]

From an old post;

Then from a 1993 SMKW catalog I have found there were no listings for Rigid knives in the index, however among the listings for United Knives there is an entire page of Rigid Knives. We know from Mr. Tobias that United is an Umbrella company and has likely been that way for years.

Brand
United Cutlery
Owner/TM
United Cutlery
Country, Place of Manufacture: Global/USA
Product notes: United is an umbrella organization which produces a variety of cutlery in every pattern. The line includes fantasy and movie blades replica, low-end and mid-range quality swords and knives. Some knives and swords are "show only, especially their low-cost stainless steel swords. Most production is in China (PRC) but they also produce items in Taiwan and Spain as well as other countries. Being an educated consumer will vastly improve your chances of enjoying a purchase from United cutlery.

Only my guess here and certainly not fact, but at some point and time SMKW owned the United trade mark and they outsourced knives produced by various manufacturers both foreign and domestic. That is why there is such a variance of quality in the United knives. The same maybe true with the Rigid trade mark. That trade mark and has been owned by more than one entity at various times and the manufacturer and the quality of the knife varies with the company that was outsourced to build the knives. Some maybe German, some maybe Camillus, some maybe Bear & son, foreign, etc. Hard to be certain. Too bad a knife doesn't have a date on it. That would really help when you are trying to figure out how actually made the knife.

http://apg2k.hegewisch.net/wow-6.html

That's a very informative link you posted Bob, thank you.

[DMLEATH]

Good information- thanks a lot! So is China the likely location of where this one was made?

[just bob]

This seller seems to think his was made in Germany, though I don't see that he verifies that. I'm thinking that on some of those Klaas, Hen & Rooster and other German looking knives they were assembled in Spain from parts made in Germany. Others on here may know for certain. It is for certain that just because a knife has rostfrei on it doesn't mean it was made in Germany.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165898823564?h ... R8KbpKbTYQ

[Froe]

Could it be associated with this:

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... php?t=7684

Froe

[DMLEATH]

Thanks to you all!

[dsutton24]

Rostfrie means 'rust free' - stainless steel. It's a German word describing the steel, not the country of manufacture. The United brands are a murky subject. It's probably European, most likely German, Italian, Spanish, or a combination thereof. Yes, it should have the Country of Origin stamped on it, but there have always been knives that avoided this requirement, and even more than a few knives that are stamped but are of dubious origin.

[Arsser]

Any info on this shchrade lb7? Double Alpha serial number and inlay on both sides. Swastika on one and SS bolts on the other

[Mumbleypeg]

Any info on this shchrade lb7? Double Alpha serial number and inlay on both sides. Swastika on one and SS bolts on the other

Amateurish cobbling added the inlays - knife didn’t come from the factory that way. I don’t know about the meaning of the serial number.

Ken