How to date Griffon knives

[Micah 1974]

I recently picked up a group of knives and this Griffon Germany was with the group. Does any know how to date when this knife was made? Thanks in advance!

[FRJ]

I recently picked up a group of knives and this Griffon Germany was with the group. Does any know how to date when this knife was made? Thanks in advance!

I have a few Griffon knives from different locals in Massachusetts and Connecticut and maybe one from Germany.
To answer your question, I don't know how to determine when they were made. Maybe I can get pictures of them.

Nice looking knife you have there. Welcome to the forum.

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

I think around ww2 they dropped works from their name, used to be griffon cutlery works. So it's post ww2 probably. Im not an expert at all. In fact I'm more familiar with their scissors, so take this with a handful of non-iodized table salt.

[Mumbleypeg]

I have a few Griffon knives and have long been intrigued by them. Mostly what you find are scissors and grooming sets. Unfortunately it is very difficult if not impossible to determine the date of Griffon knives. The company was mainly a jobber having knives made on contract by many different companies both domestic and abroad. According to Goins’ Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings they did own a U.S. factory for a short time, only two or three years and it closed in early 1920s. There are a variety of different stamps and I’ve never seen any tang stamp documentation. If anyone has anything I’d like to know myself.

You have a nice example.

Ken

[Waukonda]

Per Goins -

[danno50]

Paraphrasing information from Carter's "German Knife and Sword Makers":

The Griffon name was owned by Harry Keschner (the name stamped on the pile side of the secondary blade) in 1914. Harry Keschner Stahlwarenfabrik, Solingen, Wupperstrasse 45 was listed in the 1920 edition of the DRAB (I assume this is the German directory of businesses?) as a manufacturer of scissors and shears - but was advertising 'all types of steelware, especially excellent pocket knives and manicure scissors' in 1922. The Griffon name disappeared from the German directories published after 1925, but, Harry Keschner was listed at the same address in 1930 - 1939.

So this information suggests that the OP knife was manufactured before 1939, and possibly before 1925?

[danno50]

Forgot to say that is a beautiful old knife!

[Micah 1974]

Thanks a lot for the info fellows it’s much appreciated and a big help!

[Mumbleypeg]

Paraphrasing information from Carter's "German Knife and Sword Makers":

The Griffon name was owned by Harry Keschner (the name stamped on the pile side of the secondary blade) in 1914. Harry Keschner Stahlwarenfabrik, Solingen, Wupperstrasse 45 was listed in the 1920 edition of the DRAB (I assume this is the German directory of businesses?) as a manufacturer of scissors and shears - but was advertising 'all types of steelware, especially excellent pocket knives and manicure scissors' in 1922. The Griffon name disappeared from the German directories published after 1925, but, Harry Keschner was listed at the same address in 1930 - 1939.

So this information suggests that the OP knife was manufactured before 1939, and possibly before 1925?

Interesting. Here is what Goins’ Encyclodepia says. Both can’t be right. Another cutlery mystery.

Ken

[FRJ]

Here are two "Bridgeport, Connecticut" Griffons.

[danno50]

Paraphrasing information from Carter's "German Knife and Sword Makers":

The Griffon name was owned by Harry Keschner (the name stamped on the pile side of the secondary blade) in 1914. Harry Keschner Stahlwarenfabrik, Solingen, Wupperstrasse 45 was listed in the 1920 edition of the DRAB (I assume this is the German directory of businesses?) as a manufacturer of scissors and shears - but was advertising 'all types of steelware, especially excellent pocket knives and manicure scissors' in 1922. The Griffon name disappeared from the German directories published after 1925, but, Harry Keschner was listed at the same address in 1930 - 1939.

So this information suggests that the OP knife was manufactured before 1939, and possibly before 1925?

Interesting. Here is what Goins’ Encyclodepia says. Both can’t be right. Another cutlery mystery.

Ken

It is indeed a mystery. Also, neither Goins nor Carter make any mention of the Griffon picture stamp on the pile side of the main blade?

[New_Windsor_NY]

A couple of years ago, this pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I bought. It now becomes my first and only example, so far, to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT buy the group or lot of pocket knives to obtain this particular pocket knife. But, it definitely turned out to be a keeper. It was a welcomed addition to my general, pocket knife accumulation. It is a GRIFFON XX, two blades, three tang stamps, 3" closed, one spring, all metal, pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says, "griffon (written, underlined) (over) XX (over) B' PORT. CT." The main blade back tang stamp is the image of a "Griffon." The secondary blade front tang stamp says, "griffon (written, underlined) (over) XX (over) B' PORT. CT." The main handle side says "1916" and has the image of a buffalo head wearing a fez. The fez says, "ISMAILIA (symbol or logo) PATROL" The other handle side says, "Ismailia (symbol or logo) Patrol - A.A.O. N.M.S." (Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) The following is NOT my description....."This early shrine pocket knife was made for the 42nd Imperial Council in Buffalo, New York on July 11, 1916. New York is the home of the Ismailia Shrine Temple hence the buffalo is wearing a fez on the handle." The main blade does have a WEAK half stop. The main blade does have a NASTY opening snap. The main blade does have a NASTY closing snap. The secondary blade does NOT have a half stop. The secondary blade does NOT have an opening snap. The secondary blade does NOT have a closing snap. This pocket knife is in VERY GOOD condition. This pocket knife needed VERY little cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

[Miller Bro's]

Wow, that's a beauty Skip!

[Miller Bro's]

Here's one of my Griffon knives......

[FRJ]

Here's one of my Griffon knives......

What a nice looking knife, Dimitri.

Gee, the would look good in the "Single Blade Saturday" thread.

[New_Windsor_NY]

Wow.....

Thank you, Dimitri.

Here's......

That one is definitely easy on the eyes, Dimitri.

[Waukonda]

Here's one of my Griffon knives......

What a nice looking knife, Dimitri.

Gee, the would look good in the "Single Blade Saturday" thread.

But, Joe, if he put that in SBS, no one else would post. Who would want to follow that handsome knife?

[New_Windsor_NY]

A couple of days ago, this pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I purchased. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT purchase the group or lot of pocket knives to obtain this particular pocket knife. However, it did turn out to be a keeper. It did get added to my general, pocket knife accumulation. It is a GRIFFON XX, two blades, four tang stamps, 3 1/8" closed, one spring, pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says, "griffon (written, underlined) (over) XX (over) B' PORT. CT." The main blade back tang stamp is the image of a "Griffon" The secondary blade front tang stamp says, "griffon (written, underlined) (over) XX (over) B' PORT. CT." The secondary blade back tang stamp is the image of a "Griffon" The main blade does have a GOOD half stop. The main blade does have a GOOD opening snap. The main blade does have a VERY GOOD closing snap. The secondary blade does have a GOOD half stop. The secondary blade does have a GOOD opening snap. The secondary blade does have a VERY GOOD closing snap. Overall, this pocket knife is in VERY GOOD condition. This pocket knife did NOT require cleaning at all.
I just wiped it off. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

[FRJ]

Here's one of my Griffon knives......

What a nice looking knife, Dimitri.

Gee, the would look good in the "Single Blade Saturday" thread.

But, Joe, if he put that in SBS, no one else would post. Who would want to follow that handsome knife?

Well, I never thought of that, Ike. Those handsome knives do have their drawbacks.
I hope he posts it just to see what happens. I mean, there could be tidal wave of knives trying to outdo that one.