What is a Dixie switch knife ?

[sunburst]

I just purchased this 1994 Robeson Shuredge Redbone made by Queen and it was advertised as a Dixie switch knife. I have not heard of Dixie switch knives and was wondering what you guys know of them.

I thought for a minute that maybe it was a Queen specialty knife until I also saw a Winchester knife advertised as a Dixie switch knife also.

Thanks,

Sunburst

[El Lobo]

My understanding of the "Switch" knife, is propping a blade slightly with something down inside the handle, so you could catch the point on something (pant leg maybe) and open it with one hand...similar to the action of a one armed-man folding knife...but without the indentation at the end of the blade.

May be something altogether different though.

Bill

[sunburst]

Hmmm a mystery....

I am not sure if that is what they are describing, I don't know...??

Here is how both knives were described using the Dixie switch label:

This is one of the super looking Robeson Shuredge Redbone Dixie Switch knives for auction. This is a great find, a 1994 issue pinned Redbone Dixie Switch, 4 1/8" closed. Queen Cutlery Co. produced this knife of course, as it is a member of one of the early revitalized Robeson Shuredge Series Knives. This knife is mint and complete in the original issue Robeson Shuredge Trade Mark 2 piece box and features the old style true red Genuine Redbone scales. Folks Queen makes Super knives and has for years. Work one and you'll know quickly. This knife is manufactured with both blades having the "half-stop" operation, and good popping "walk and talk" in the blade action as well.

&


This knife for auction is a great pattern, the Winchester Genuine Bone Dixie Switch Trapper, 4" closed. This knife is mint in the original issue Winchester factory box and features the beautiful brass pinned vintage Genuine Bone scales. The blades are tang stamped with Winchester This knife is pattern stamped with 2904 '87 (the year of manufacture-1987) on the rear tang of the master Clip blade. The blades are produced with mirror polished carbon cutlery steel and this knife currently books for $100.00. This Winchester 1987 issue Dixie Switch Trapper is mint in the original issue Winchester 2 piece factory boxTrade Mark Made In USA and the shield is the pinned Heraldic style.

My father, the late Jim Parker, and Charlie Dorton were great friends. Charlie and my dad dealt for years as they were both instrumental in the development of the Case Classic program. Blue Grass Cutlery holds the liscense for these Winchester knives and when Charlie was a partner in Blue Grass, he told my father that this Genuine Bone used on these late 1980's produced knives, was actually antique age Genuine Bone that he acquired from the Utica Knife Factory

[Mossdancer]

Hello;
Actually, you have opened up a history lesson of the early south.
Webster stated the switch knife was a switchblade circa 1950.
Switch knife in the knife books refers to a Tickler, that became a toothpick along with bowies and others. Also to be found in knife books was mention of young men carrying these sporting knives on saturday night. We know a Tickler is not automatic so Bills rendition of a slightly ajar blade seems very valid. The master on the Trapper and a Tickler is generally a long clip which would adapt to this method very easily. Of course Dixie is the states of the south which would make this sporting knife a Dixie Switch Knife.
Could be wrong but thats my story and until shown to be incorrect im sticking to it. Im not getting into particulars, if you desire to know more the documentation is out there.
Mossdancer

[sunburst]

Aw common Mossdancer you know that all the fun is in the particulars


I have read a little history on the ticklers the good ole boys from the south would carry with them (I love being a Southerner). I just had never heard the term Dixie Switch knife used before and it really perked my interest because of the use of Dixie in the terminology...Interesting...

Going on what you and Bill are saying it actually explains how a Robeson and a Winchester knife could be called a Dixie switch knife while advertising...Wow I never knew knife collecting could be so historic...Actually this is the kind of stuff that makes it even more interesting to me...

edit: While browsing another forum I learned that Winchesters from the 80's early 90's were manufactured by Queen for Bluegrass Cutlery.

Thanks,

Sunburst

[agteacher2]

Here is my Dixie Switch or tickler as the Texas rounders called them.

It is an Imperial Prov. R.I. 5" long closed, 9-1/8" open

I slid the match stick down a bit so it didn't snag my fingers. but I didn't dare remove it. It's just as found other than that. It came from an estate sale of an old gent near here that was said to have been "rough as a cobb" in his younger days.

I haven't though about this knife for a long time, maybe someone will enjoy seeing it.

Jeff

[9ball]

Greetings,

I grew up in the South and carried with we called a Dixie Switch when I was a kid. Some folks called them Saturday Night Specials also.

Mossdancer is correct in my view, but mine was a auto tickler. Maybe a ShurSnap.

I remember mine had Candy Striped handles/scales. Do not remember what happened to it. I guess it ended up in my Fourth Grade teacher's (Mrs. Adams) collection.

[groverino]

Where can I find some documentation on the use of toothpicks as a fighting blade? Thanks.

[knifeaholic]

I can only say that IIRC I have ssen the etching "Dixie Switch" on single blade large toothpick style knives in some of the pre-WWII knife catalogs. I have never seen it on an "automatic" or "switchblade" type knife, only on toothpicks that were traditional slipjoints.

Like most knife names, there are no hard and fast rules, and in the interests of marketing, knife sellers will co-opt knife names for other patterns.