KA-BAR Union Cut Co. Knife Identification

The KA-BAR brand originated as a trademark of the Tidioute Cutlery Company. Tidioute was later taken over & renamed the Union Cutlery Company which continued making the brand until Union eventually adopted it as the company name in 1952. Cutco Corporation later acquired the company in 1996.
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HistoryPrince
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2025 1:20 pm

KA-BAR Union Cut Co. Knife Identification

Post by HistoryPrince »

Hi folks

My father was recently digging around in family boxes, and came across a knife belonging to my Grandfather. He was an RAF regiment gunner in Europe during the war, and had brought back all manner of item acquired from North American colleagues. And while we can identify most, this one has me at a bit of a loss.

The tang seems genuine enough for the period with just the KA-BAR on the main blade, and 'Union Cut Co. Olean NY. USA' on the second. But I've not found any others online with the same shield, and the blade pairing.
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Any help identifying would be greatly appreciated!
(And yes, I'm 100% in the process of cleaning her right up).
Gunsil
Posts: 3081
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 5:25 pm
Location: Lower Hudson River valley, N.Y.

Re: KA-BAR Union Cut Co. Knife Identification

Post by Gunsil »

Your knife is 100% original and right. I do not know the model number but the shield is correct for the period of manufacture. Not all their knives had that shield but several commpanies used different shields on different models and different eras. Must have been a gorgeous knife when new!
HistoryPrince
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2025 1:20 pm

Re: KA-BAR Union Cut Co. Knife Identification

Post by HistoryPrince »

Gunsil wrote: Fri Sep 05, 2025 12:58 pm Your knife is 100% original and right. I do not know the model number but the shield is correct for the period of manufacture. Not all their knives had that shield but several commpanies used different shields on different models and different eras. Must have been a gorgeous knife when new!
Well that is reassuring to know! And absolutely she must have been. From what I gather my grandfather used it for the rest of his life afterwards too (he returned to work as a gardener), so testament to the construction.
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