The Embellished Little Western

[Froggyedge]

Just wanted to show a little Western Lockback I purchased many years ago. She's a bit out of the ordinary.

I don't remember exactly when I got her, but I believe it must have been around the time when Camillus acquired Western (1991?), or maybe a little prior to that.
On the other hand I seem to remember Camillus putting out some knives which they called "Stonecraft series" at that time...
Hopefully some better brains than mine will be able to shed some light on this!

Anyway, it's a well made cute little Lockback.

[gino]

Thats nice Froggy . I had never seen that series but I like it very much. Very cool!

[FRJ]

Froggy, how long is your knife? Thanks, Joe

[Froggyedge]

As small as Lockbacks come, I believe. Just 3" closed!

[chrisorbics]

Nice knife. I have a western from this era. I will have to find it.

[chrisorbics]

[johnnierotten]

Froggy...that is a beautiful odd looking Western ya got there...I like it very much.

[knifeaholic]

The posted knife is a Western standard production small lockback from the 1979-1982 era. I recall at the time that the use of the turquoise on a standard production knife was a nice touch.

[johnny twoshoes]

Awesome, Froggy.

Hard to beat a nice little lockback.

[Froggyedge]

Thanks!

The posted knife is a Western standard production small lockback from the 1979-1982 era. I recall at the time that the use of the turquoise on a standard production knife was a nice touch.

1979-82..?
Are you sure it's that old? Just wondering because I got it from a dealer who sold new knives only and I definitely did not buy the knife that early. I'm trying to remember. Painful..! It may well have been prior to 1990... Yes, I think so, but I'm pretty sure it was not earlier than '86...
The knife is definitely from before Western was acquired by Camillus, then.

Does anyone remember the Stonecraft knives by Camillus? When did they show up?
Any connection..?

[johnnierotten]

Does anyone remember the Stonecraft knives by Camillus? When did they show up?

I believe it was the 90's...are you referring to the Santa Fe Stone Works?

The bottom one was done by Santa Fe Stoneworks and the tang stamp indicates it was made sometime in between 1989 and up until they closed.
During that time I believe Coleman owned Western.

[johnnierotten]

This may help....looks like it was made between 1991-2007.

[Froggyedge]

Thanks Johnnie!
But now I'm really starting to get confused here... *Brain overload*

Originally I seemed to remember I got the knife around 1990-91, but it may have been a few years earlier.

Yes, I know Camillus collaborated with Santa Fe Stoneworks, but since when..?
In my head there were some Stonecraft knives made by Camillus prior to that, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe I'm confusing names here because of the Camillus Woodcraft Series... Stonecraft...Stoneworks...

[johnnierotten]

but since when..?

I don't know...but I bet you could find out here http://santafestoneworks.com/

[Paladin]

Guys,
Doesn't the 'H' on the tang designate the year of manufacture? 'A' was for 1977, thus 'H' would be 1984.

Ray

[johnnierotten]

Ray I'm sure you would no better than I.......But I had a Western USA W49 J Bowie and I know it was made in 1989 ..with the method your talking about wouldn't that make mine made in 1987?..unless fixed blades were different.
I was just going by the tang stamp...I only have the pic not the book that it came from.
Sorry if I posted any wrong info.

[johnnierotten]

I guess I better buy the book or start reading the fine print!!!....SORRY guys!!

[Paladin]

No need to apologize, Johnnie. I am just relying on Goins. Possibly not applicable to fixed blades, I am not sure. On your knife, maybe the 'J' preceding BOWIE is just the first initial, for Jim or James. Who knows!

[johnnierotten]

......I need to get me a Goin's.

[Froggyedge]

Guys,
Doesn't the 'H' on the tang designate the year of manufacture? 'A' was for 1977, thus 'H' would be 1984.

Ray

Thanks!
I thought about H designating the year of manufacture, but didn't know when to start counting...
1984 is entirely possible. I purchased the knife from a place where they probably did not sell many of those knives and they may have had them in stock for some time.
I don't have Goin's either... May have to get me a copy..!

Thanks again guys for using your time to help!