Unusual Pre-WWII Robeson Knife

[slamberti]

Hello everyone, I'm looking for insight on a pre-WWII Robeson pocket knife from the Rochester, NY era (1922–1939). I purchased it yesterday at a flea market in Canandaigua, NY:
• Tang Stamp: ROBESON / ShurEdge / ROCHESTER (with "ShurEdge" in cursive script). The stamp is well-centered but shifted to the right.
• Pattern Number: Stamped 02227. The code calls for two blades, but this knife only features one master blade.
• Handle Shape & Material: A classic Swell-End / Teardrop Jack pattern. The scales are smooth, solid, and heavy. The metal takes a high polish with a warm, gold-orange hue—likely Silicon Bronze or Gun Metal?
• It has no separate liners.
• Blade & Action: The blade has a curved spine and retains its original factory-sharpened edge. The nail nick sits deep, missing the handle's easy-open notch. It features a crisp, 90-degree half-stop with a snap.
• Pin Construction: Features dual metals. The front pivot pin is silver nickel, while the rear construction pin is made of a matching alloy, ground flush to blend seamlessly into the handle.

Given the alloy showpiece handles, single-blade deviation, and pristine state, I’m thinking that it might be a factory salesman sample. Has anyone seen this specific alloy frame variation before?

Thanks, Steve

[Mumbleypeg]

Interesting knife, but I can’t tell you anything about it. I’m always skeptical about salesman sample claims. Maybe one of the Robeson gurus like Charlie Noyes (member name RobesonsRme) will know something. He might have an old catalog with one like it. The Robeson references I have do not show any single-blade knives. You might want to post it in the Robeson Collector forum https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... m.php?f=93 where it might more likely be seen by him.

Welcome to AAPK.

Ken

[Ridgegrass]

Not to be a wet blanket but brass easy opener knives were made in single and two-blade patterns by: Robeson, Cattaraugus, Wardlow, Remington and others. I've heard them called "Navy" knives but I have no info to substantiate the name. Not saying they're common, but I have had a dozen or so over the years. Here's a two-blade Catt and a two blade Robeson , pattern number 02227. The Robeson is for sale. PM me. Good luck with yours. J.O'.

[1967redrider]

Sweet 3-W Catt, J.O'

[ea42]

I doubt very much that it's a salesman sample. The master blade is down a good bit and looks like the pen blade was removed. Pivot pin was replaced with nickel silver, should be brass to match the handles.

Eric

[btrwtr]

Yes, the second number in the pattern "2" indicates the knife should be a 2-blade pattern and likely was before all the cleaning took place.

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

Not to be a wet blanket but brass easy opener knives were made in single and two-blade patterns by: Robeson, Cattaraugus, Wardlow, Remington and others. I've heard them called "Navy" knives but I have no info to substantiate the name. Not saying they're common, but I have had a dozen or so over the years. Here's a two-blade Catt and a two blade Robeson , pattern number 02227. The Robeson is for sale. PM me. Good luck with yours. J.O'.

That wrench knife

Nice one

[robpa]

What ever it is, it is a good looking knife.

[doglegg]

Not to be a wet blanket but brass easy opener knives were made in single and two-blade patterns by: Robeson, Cattaraugus, Wardlow, Remington and others. I've heard them called "Navy" knives but I have no info to substantiate the name. Not saying they're common, but I have had a dozen or so over the years. Here's a two-blade Catt and a two blade Robeson , pattern number 02227. The Robeson is for sale. PM me. Good luck with yours. J.O'.

That wrench knife

Nice one

X2

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks gents. Those Catts are going to my grandsons.
Anyone have an opinion as to the reason for the brass body on those EO's? Doesn't seem rust is a factor; the blades are steel. O'.

[OLDE CUTLER]

That OP knife has been buffed to death, almost removed the stampings.

[RobesonsRme.com]

[youtube][/youtube]I have never personally owned a brass 027 EZ Open patterned Robeson. I don’t think I’ve ever held one in my hands.

I’ve never seen a one bladed 027 in any kind of handle. That doesn’t mean I think they weren’t made. Robeson was fairly prolific in their variation numbers.

That blade, however, belonged in a two bladed knife, as stated above. The second digit, “2”, in the pattern number indicates that. Either a Robeson cutler put the wrong blade in the knife or someone has removed the secondary pen blade.

It has been heavily buffed.

I understand the comment above re’ the steel hinge pin, instead of brass, but I have seen many steel pins in mint Robeson knives when a nickel-silver one would have been much more attractive.

And like others, I have no idea why knife manufacturers made brass handled EZ Open knives. Did they serve a particular niche market? Who knows?

[ea42]

[youtube][/youtube]I have never personally owned a brass 027 EZ Open patterned Robeson. I don’t think I’ve ever held one in my hands.

I’ve never seen a one bladed 027 in any kind of handle. That doesn’t mean I think they weren’t made. Robeson was fairly prolific in their variation numbers.

That blade, however, belonged in a two bladed knife, as stated above. The second digit, “2”, in the pattern number indicates that. Either a Robeson cutler put the wrong blade in the knife or someone has removed the secondary pen blade.

It has been heavily buffed.

I understand the comment above re’ the steel hinge pin, instead of brass, but I have seen many steel pins in mint Robeson knives when a nickel-silver one would have been much more attractive.

And like others, I have no idea why knife manufacturers made brass handled EZ Open knives. Did they serve a particular niche market? Who knows?

I was actually referring to the brass 02227 specifically when I mentioned the brass pivot pin. All the examples I've
seen have had brass pivot pins. In fact most all of those style brass handled knives made by other manufacturers also have brass pivot pins. I think it was more a style thing to have the entire handle uniform although there could have been erosion concerns as well. I've heard too that there were nautical connections but have never seen a catalog or document mention that.

Eric

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks RR for your answer on "why". J.O'.

EA: I've owned other brassies with steel pins too.

[ea42]

Thanks RR for your answer on "why". J.O'.

EA: I've owned other brassies with steel pins too.

Yes I have as well but like I said the majority of the ones I've seen have had brass pins (Ulster, Schrade Cut, Remington, etc), and specifically the 02227's that are the subject of the OP. The photo I included in the above reply is an 02227 with a brass pivot. Also note the fullness of the master blade. The OP's has been quite heavily used (and cleaned), not a factory edge as claimed. That can be easily seen in relation to the tang and kick as well as the length of the blade. Not trying to step on any toes, just trying to give an honest assessment.

Eric

[Mumbleypeg]

Looks like the OP is keeping his toes well away. The replies are probably not what were expected. Hasn't been back since the day after making the OP. Probably another "one and done", but let's hope not.

Ken

[slamberti]

My apologies to everyone for re-posting this. I’m new to AAPK and can’t find my original post. I recently purchased a Robeson at a flea market near Rochester, NY and can’t figure it out:

* Tang Stamp: ROBESON / ShurEdge / ROCHESTER (with "ShurEdge" in cursive script). 1922 - 1939 era?
• Pattern Number: Stamped 02227. The code calls for two blades, but this knife only has one blade.
• Handle Shape & Material: The metal scales buffed to a high polish with a gold-orange hue. It has no separate liners. Not sure what metal this is.
• Pin Construction: The front pivot pin appears to be stainless or nickel, while the rear construction pins is made of a matching alloy.

In my previous post, it was suggested that a second blade may have been removed which is entirely possible. The single blade appears slightly bent, suggesting that the knife may have been used for prying, which could have broken a second blade. But the knife has only a single spine – is that characteristic of two-blade versions of this knife? Also, the easy access notch doesn’t line up with the blade’s nail nick. Is that common? My impression is that either a second blade was broken and removed, which would have required skill, or that the knife was made with one blade, which would be unusual.

Thanks, Steve

[bestgear]

…..which would be unusual

Hi Steve - your knife isn’t unusual, it’s cobbled together on someone’s workbench, in its present form, it’s highly unlikely that it came from the factory that way. Stick it in your pocket and enjoy it, that’s where the real value of this knife will be derived. Out of curiosity, what did you pay for this flea market knife?

[slamberti]

Hi Bestgear, I paid $50 - hope I didn’t overpay; I just liked how it felt in my hand. It’s the first old knife I’ve owned, and had no idea how old it was until I looked it up (pre-WWII?). I wasn’t even aware that Robeson headquarters was Rochester, NY, where I live. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I learned about Robeson from ChatGPT, which also told me about this forum bless its heart. I collect mostly small daily-carry production knives (Case, Buck, Kershaw, Spyderco, SOG, Al Mar, Benchmade, Victorinox, Castillo, Kizer, Russel, etc), though I’ve picked up some nicer pieces along the way. Thanks to everybody for the input. Great to be here.

[btrwtr]

Real sweet looking group of knives slamberti!

I can't read the maker stamps. Can you tell us who made them?

[slamberti]

Gametime y’all—Who can correctly match each name and knife?

• Bradley
• Conley
• Fujikawa
• Hara
• Hitchmough
• Myers
• Rogers
• Ruple
• Some cat from Japan

[Reverand]

That #3 Fujikawa looks especially nice!
I am not familiar with them.

[Mumbleypeg]

Number 3 looks like a Ruple.

Ken

[btrwtr]

1. Fujikawa
2. Some cat from Japan
3. Ruple
4. Myers
5. Hitchmough
6. Hara
7. Conley
8. Bradley
9. Rogers


All beautiful whoever made them!

[slamberti]

1. Fujikawa
2. Myers
3. Ruple
4. Some cat from Japan (I believe it was Shosui Takeda)
5. Hitchmough
6. Hara
7. Conley
8. Bradley
9. Rogers

Funny story about #4. While attending the Blade Show in the early 90’s I met a Japanese knifemaker who was dressed a blue traditional work garb. He was sharpening a blade on a watery whetstone when I approached. We spoke briefly about Aogami supersteel and his hammer-forging process. I then made the mistake of trying to bargain with him, offering him less than his asking price. I could tell from his facial expression that I had offended him, which I had no intention of doing. To make amends I bought two of his knives. They are still to this very day the sharpest knives I have ever owned.