Estate sale Henckels

[444 Magnum]

Hey everyone,
This is my first post. I just found this forum while trying to find information on a Henckels folder I just bought. I have a modest knife collection of folders and fixed blade knives- no single area of interest-just whatever catches my eye.
Lately, I've picked up some Soligen fixed blade knives and this weekend I came across and purchased two folders. One is a Puma Sportec and the other is this locking folder. It's nothing fancy. It shows it's age, but I like the look and feel of the knife. The wood is clean and the mechanics are tight.
The blade is 3 3/4", length folded is 4 3/4", and overall length is 8 1/4".
I paid a whopping $10 for it plus tax.
My question is two fold- what model/style knife is this and approximately what decade(s) were they made?
Thanks for any help, Steve

[Madmarco]

Hey Steve!
Your knife would be classified as a "Sodbuster" lockback if I have my info correct, and although I don't know how long they've been around, they've been around a long time. I have a Case model from 1967 and there are older models.
Your is a Henckels folder which automatically puts it in the area of good quality.

Your description of your accumulating method fits me to a tee! I also don't follow anything specific, just what catches my eye or talks to me as I'm passing by with "shiny" all-metal models playing a major role. My choices are random, but as you said, weight is a big factor, only actually trumped by overall look, but if it's ugly it doesn't get a 2nd look. I've put together a nice pile of autos, manuals, fixed blades, and/or anything unusual in just 4 years of being seriously interested in knives, but it's not about how many, it's about quality, in fact, how many only causes storing space problems.

to AAPK, you're going to enjoy yourself here!

[rea1eye]

Welcome 444 Magnum to AAPK. Your knife is very fine.
Nice find!

Bob

[wlf]

That's a great knife company's knife there Steve.

[dsutton24]

It's probably from the 1970s, the handles are likely to be Rosewood or Cocobolo. Some sources call it a model 610, I have my doubts as to whether that's accurate. The Henckels Sodbuster is a little unusual, most Sodbusters aren't lockbacks.

[444 Magnum]

Thanks everyone for the responses. "Sodbuster" seems like an unusual name for a knife.

[Madmarco]

If I'm not mistaken, Steve, the proper name for your knife is a "Field" knife and somewhere along the line someone donned it "Sodbuster".
I'm wondering if what DS24 said about Sodbusters not being lockbacks perhaps disqualifies it from Sodbuster status.

[1967redrider]

to AAPK. Great information on knives of all types here, plus many other topics. Enjoy!

John

[NCC1701]

I know this is an old post, but I am going to put my 2 pennies in. I have an affinity for sodbusters. I have about maybe 10 different brands. Some have changed the name slightly. I think Eye Brand may use the term "Clodbuster" But I know I have a Kissing Crane or two and a couple of Eye Brands an Indian Head and of course a Case. I love the style. The one I have had the longest is a large Eye Brand. It was given to me by the guy who got me interested in knives when I was about 11. He actually was my dad's boss and he gave him the knife when I was about 9 or 10 and told him to keep it for me until I got old enough. Later on he spent time showing me his knives and I distinctly remember seeing Hen & Rooster and Kissing Crane knives. But it is because of him that I know what little I know. I have just reached a point in my life where I can afford to buy the knives that I have always wanted.

[JRGuerra]

That knife greatly resembles my Henckels 610 lock back. Your knife blade appears to be stamped rather than etched. To me, indicating more vintage manufacture.

[btrwtr]

That knife greatly resembles my Henckels 610 lock back. Your knife blade appears to be stamped rather than etched. To me, indicating more vintage manufacture.

Beautiful knife JR. Looks to me like this would make it a father and son post. Your knife being the younger son and 444 Steve's knife being the older father. Henckels knives are some of the very finest and having the pattern in the uncommon lockback form is a nice bonus!

[orvet]

I know this is an old post, but I think your knife may be older than you think, with the stamped blade. It's my understanding that Henckels stopped manufacturing their pocket knives about 1960. Their knives since then, have been made on contract by Boker. The knives made by Boker are great knives, but they are not the same as the old Henckels.
I suspect your knife is post-WW II and pre-1960.