Help to identify my Grandpa's pocket knife

[sdolse]

I recently received my Grandpa's pocket knife and would love to learn more about it. My Mom seems to remember him having it in the 50's but it could be older (perhaps belonging to my great grandpa). There isn't any manufacturer information but the blade states Stainless Steel Japan. Pictures attached. Thanks!

[Ridgegrass]

My guess would be the sixties and on. It looks like a Japanese multi-blade camp knife. . The bone jigging is like that of the "Sabre" brand of
Japanese-made knives from Cole National a U.S. wholesaler/import firm from Cleveland that imported knives from Japan, Germany, and Ireland. Here's a Sabre with similar bone and jigging and "Stainless Steel" mark. Just a guess but a fair one.
Your knife is in nice condition. They don't bring a lot but folks seem to be more interested now then a few years ago. I've seen ones like that sell for $25 or $30. I'm not putting a value on it, just saying what I'v seen in shops. Good luck with it. Nice to have your Grand-dads's knife. J.O'.

[sdolse]

Thanks for your quick response...very much appreciated. I'll also do some research on Sabre knives to see if I can find more info. And yes, I'm very grateful to have it.

Scott

[ea42]

I don't think Cole National was involved with the production of these knives, although they might have helped distribute them. While the handles are similar to some of their knives (especially the early ones) they stamped all of theirs with the Sabre or American Knife Co stamp and most all of these hobo knives are only stamped with Japan or nothing at all. I think they were more of a mass produced knife that was offered up to whatever distributor would take them. Here's some more info:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxvWVTo6JAM

Eric

[sdolse]

Thanks Eric. The video was very interesting and while mine doesn't have the fork/spoon, the exterior of the knives are the same. Thanks again!

Scott

[Mumbleypeg]

You can find a lot of Japanese made multi-blade camp knives for sale on eBay at any given time. They are all of similar construction and appearance - some have a different combination of tools than others. One of the more common makers was a company called Mitsuboshi (like Mitsubishi but spelled slightly differently). I have one somewhere.

Search on eBay for “Japanese hobo knife” or “Japanese scout knife”. You can also find them sometimes listed as “Mitsubishi knife” - not unusual for eBay sellers, if you look at the stamp on them it actually says “Mitsuboshi”.

Ken

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

I have a few similar knives. One is small enough for a key chain. The other (3) are big ol' hobos. 50's to 80's seems like a fair time range, with the nicer bone ones being a little earlier and the cheaper plastic handled being later. Some decent delrin ones are out there as well.

[rea1eye]

Very nice knife. It looks like your grandpa took very good care of it.

Bob

[sdolse]

Thanks Bob!

[sdolse]

You can find a lot of Japanese made multi-blade camp knives for sale on eBay at any given time. They are all of similar construction and appearance - some have a different combination of tools than others. One of the more common makers was a company called Mitsuboshi (like Mitsubishi but spelled slightly differently). I have one somewhere.

Search on eBay for “Japanese hobo knife” or “Japanese scout knife”. You can also find them sometimes listed as “Mitsubishi knife” - not unusual for eBay sellers, if you look at the stamp on them it actually says “Mitsuboshi”.

Ken

Thanks Ken!