Anyone familiar with Pine Knot Kilby?

[tvic]

Anyone know anything about this brand?

[chickenman62]

I bought one. Seems like a well made knife but kind of vague on were it is actually made. Almost certain it is China. At $50.00 it wasn't terrible.

[tvic]

Thanks, chickenman. Kinda what I was thinking, too. Seems like deception, though, if it’s China made to have “Pine Knot, KY” on the tang.

[Mumbleypeg]

A search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark registry for “Pine Knot” shows that trade name was registered and owned by United Cutlery from 1988 to 2009. It was canceled (or abandoned - doesn’t say which) in 2009. The Pine Knot name is currently owned by a chemical company named Superior Coatings. Apparently not used for cutlery.

The registry search found nothing registered for “Pine Knot Kilby”. The stand-alone name “Kilby” was owned by Abercrombie and Fitch from 2017 to 2025. It was canceled in March 2025, says it was registered but subsequently abandoned.

Ken

[peanut740]

Kilby is from Kentucky and goes to shows in Kentucky and Tennessee. The knives are Chinese made.

[C-WADE7]

Kilby is from Kentucky and goes to shows in Kentucky and Tennessee. The knives are Chinese made.

Thank you for the info!! I’ve seen them online, for the price I knew they had to be China or Pakistani but I couldn’t confirm it. I love the spear point on these.

[tvic]

Thanks, Ken and Roger!

[bestgear]

Until recently I was anti-Chinese when it came to knives. My sentiments were founded 50 years ago and I was close-minded on changing. During the C19 era I started researching Chinese manufacturers, their brands and their knives and it was eye opening.

I’ve only dabbled with owning modern era Chinese made knives (less than 10) but I’m totally sold on the fit, finish, edge retention, durability and ergonomics. This knife for example, if made by GEC or Case would retail for 3X the price with potentially no material difference. The wild card between this knife and a US made knife is the steel claim and my negative sentiments towards Chinese made knives remains here.

[doglegg]

Until recently I was anti-Chinese when it came to knives. My sentiments were founded 50 years ago and I was close-minded on changing. During the C19 era I started researching Chinese manufacturers, their brands and their knives and it was eye opening.

I’ve only dabbled with owning modern era Chinese made knives (less than 10) but I’m totally sold on the fit, finish, edge retention, durability and ergonomics. This knife for example, if made by GEC or Case would retail for 3X the price with potentially no material difference. The wild card between this knife and a US made knife is the steel claim and my negative sentiments towards Chinese made knives remains here.

Tom, I grew up (debatable) thinking all things Japanese was junk. But now I see most of the Japanese stuff as high quality. I guess things change, me included.

[Dinadan]

I have looked at those on line. The price seems kind of high but they do look well made. I am okay with knives from China, but I much prefer the knife to have a stamp that says China like Rough Ryders. That KY stamp is just deceptive and it would be a deal breaker for me. Unless I really liked the knife ...

[bestgear]

....That KY stamp is just deceptive

I failed to overlook that aspect Mel and I agree with you 100%

[Mumbleypeg]

It is actually illegal (since 1964) for an item made to be sold in the U.S. to not have a country of origin (COO) marked on it. That includes knives. (That’s why in 1965 Case changed their tang stamp to add “U.S.A.”).

Some skirt the edges of legality by placing a sticker on the item. (Easily removed). Depending on the item, the COO is sometimes marked somewhere on the packaging. (Sometimes in very fine print). Like most things compliance violation probably depends on smuggling the item past customs inspection, the port of entry, or maybe even the mood of the inspector that day. Whatever the case, if the knife is new and has no COO markings on it or the packaging, it’s illegal. An honest company, not wanting to risk fines or jeopardize future business, will mark the COO prominently. Others will attempt to hide it.

Ken

[peanut740]

Kirby was selling those knives at Pigeon Forge this spring for as low as $20 apiece if you bought several.