The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
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The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
The Walden Knife Company, circa 1870-1923. Located in Walden, Orange County, New York. this company made excellent quality knives during their time in business. In 1870 the company was called "Walden Co-operative Knife Co.", knives with this stamp are very hard to find, they used that stamp for about four years. Then they reorganized and the company was renamed Walden Knife Co. in 1874
They produced knives on contract for other companies, you will see old knives marked Press Button, Keen Kutter, and others. They had their own unique jigging pattern on the bone handles of their knives, so if you see an old knife with the same bone jigging as a Walden, chances are they made it for that company on contract. I have posted an example below to compare to.
By 1893 George Schrade was looking for a place to manufacture his patented Press Button switchblades. He found a place at Walden Knife Co. These knives were made in their factory until about 1903, when George Schrade sold his patent and interest to Walden Knife Co. They continued to manufacture lots of them, about 10,000 dozen Press Button switch blades a year! That patent purchase was a very good investment indeed.
In 1902 the E.C. Simmons Hardware Co. took over mangement of the company and ran it sucessfully for the next nineteen years, till Winchester bought them out. They made knives at the Walden plant for another year until Winchester decided to sell the property to Schrade Cut. Co., and move all the knife making equipment to their New Haven, Conn. manufacturing facility.
Winchester used this equipment to make knives until the early 1940`s, then they too stopped making pocket knives.
Walden Knife Co. has a rich history and some big names in the cutlery industry associated with them. Below is a picture of a pocket knife and an old knife box from Walden, if you have any post them in this thread
They produced knives on contract for other companies, you will see old knives marked Press Button, Keen Kutter, and others. They had their own unique jigging pattern on the bone handles of their knives, so if you see an old knife with the same bone jigging as a Walden, chances are they made it for that company on contract. I have posted an example below to compare to.
By 1893 George Schrade was looking for a place to manufacture his patented Press Button switchblades. He found a place at Walden Knife Co. These knives were made in their factory until about 1903, when George Schrade sold his patent and interest to Walden Knife Co. They continued to manufacture lots of them, about 10,000 dozen Press Button switch blades a year! That patent purchase was a very good investment indeed.
In 1902 the E.C. Simmons Hardware Co. took over mangement of the company and ran it sucessfully for the next nineteen years, till Winchester bought them out. They made knives at the Walden plant for another year until Winchester decided to sell the property to Schrade Cut. Co., and move all the knife making equipment to their New Haven, Conn. manufacturing facility.
Winchester used this equipment to make knives until the early 1940`s, then they too stopped making pocket knives.
Walden Knife Co. has a rich history and some big names in the cutlery industry associated with them. Below is a picture of a pocket knife and an old knife box from Walden, if you have any post them in this thread
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
That is a super cool knife and a great thread!
Here is a photo of the press button knife you mentioned.
I cant wait to see more original Walden knives if posted.
Thanks Gino
Here is a photo of the press button knife you mentioned.
I cant wait to see more original Walden knives if posted.
Thanks Gino
-( life is too short to carry a cheap knife )-
Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Excellent thread M-B!! The Co-Op guys, I believe there were around fourteen of them, were actually former NY Knife Co. employees who quit after baseball games were banned during lunch hour! They got their start by renting space from the Rider Ericsson Engine Company (the building still stands today) for about four years. Here's a shot of a Walden Co-Op knife:
Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Here's a little congress, Walden Knife Co. stamp:
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Eric,
Nice old knives
The Co-Op. is so rare to find
Any more Walden`s out there?
Nice old knives
The Co-Op. is so rare to find
Any more Walden`s out there?
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
I do have a Walden Knife Co. pen knife. It's one of the first knives I came across when I started serious collecting. The main blade has a model # 4353 opposite the Walden Knife Co, made in the U.S.A.. If anyone has any info on model numbers please let the sight know. Bull
Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
3 1/4" whittler, note the pull master blade
Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
here are my Waldens to add, I've shown them before but they belong in this thread.
Paul M
Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Bull, Stockman, and Paul- NICE examples!
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
All nice knives shown so far
Paul,
The bolsters and shield on that Walden are very attractive!
Anyone have any Walden Knife Co. ephemera?
Paul,
The bolsters and shield on that Walden are very attractive!
Anyone have any Walden Knife Co. ephemera?
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Nice knives guys!
Here is the best example of a Walden that I have.
Dale
Here is the best example of a Walden that I have.
Dale
Dale
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Nice Dale!
Couple more here, also on the well used side with evidence of the dreaded steel mites and grinder wheels :
Eric
Couple more here, also on the well used side with evidence of the dreaded steel mites and grinder wheels :
Eric
Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
STEEL MITES!! Love it! LMAOea42 wrote:Nice Dale!
Couple more here, also on the well used side with evidence of the dreaded steel mites and grinder wheels :
Eric
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God Bless America - Though I don't know why he would want to.
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Eric, I really like that shield on the two bladed Walden pictured above.
I am seeing now that Walden put some attractive and unique shields on their knives
Don`t stop now, let`s see more
I am seeing now that Walden put some attractive and unique shields on their knives
Don`t stop now, let`s see more
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
My contribution; a Teardrop Jack. Very nicely made knives!!
Some rare beauties showing up here!!
Some rare beauties showing up here!!
Utopia!! A chicken in every pot!! And a Barlow in every pocket!!!
Johnnie Fain would have approved!
1949 - 2009
Johnnie Fain would have approved!
1949 - 2009
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
I never cease to be amazed at the quality of knives that all you guys can bring to the table.
KEEP 'em coming!!
KEEP 'em coming!!
Member of The West Texas Chapter Of Gun Ownin', Pickup Truck Drivin', Jingoistic, Right Wing, History Changin', Huge Carbon Footprint Leavin' Conspirators.
Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Maybe it is just me, but there is something very appealing about an old spear blade jack!
Dale
Dale
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
I think that I might have posted this one before on a different thread but am not sure but thought it should go again. Walden Knife Co. All hardware is nickle silver and the main blade has the Walden etch. Yes that is ink on the back of the main blade.
I had another etched Walden with fancy blue swirl handles but gave it to my oldest daughter many years ago. I asked her to get it out and send me some pictures of it so I can post here.
I had another etched Walden with fancy blue swirl handles but gave it to my oldest daughter many years ago. I asked her to get it out and send me some pictures of it so I can post here.
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Mike, that's one helluva beauty! And a sample no less!:shock:
Charlie, I somehow missed that teardrop
Eric
Charlie, I somehow missed that teardrop
Eric
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Here is a swell ctr whittler, 3 5/8 closed. Pearl is cracked on both sides, but its got some fire!!!
I Buy/Sell/Trade All Vintage Antique Pocket knives from Junkers to Mint. I am Easy going, so Please shoot me a message ANYTIME!!! l Live & Breath KNIVES Everyday.
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
Ok, here is the other one that I gave to my daughter. Funny that it seemed like a few years ago that I gave it to her but it's been 15 years ago!!!
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
I have been looking for a W Bingham etched knife for awhile and finally got one. I am posting it to the Walden Thread because I think it was made by Walden. Faint salesman's ink on the back.
The counter felt I have had for many years and had framed!!!
The counter felt I have had for many years and had framed!!!
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Re: The Walden Knife Company 1870-1923
That's a nice knife, Mike. Congratulations!
Charlie Noyes
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