What kind of knife is that a picture of that shows up with your name?
Pa Knives (what IS that knife on your ID?)
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mypepsi5
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:58 am
Pa Knives (what IS that knife on your ID?)
Hey Pa Knives---
What kind of knife is that a picture of that shows up with your name?
Just wondering? Is it a PA knife?
What kind of knife is that a picture of that shows up with your name?
Deb
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
- PA Knives
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:53 pm
- Location: The "Magic Circle" in NW Pennsylvania
HEY!
As much as I would like to think that it is a rare Binns & Mason made in Pittsburgh around the 1880's,
in actuallity I am not really sure. Our host had several photos available for avatars and I choose this one because it did remind me of an old PA knive. I am ashamed to admit that I am a fraud.
ALTHOUGH, Byran might be able to tell me what it is and save my dignity here! enquireing minds want to know???? What is it??
As much as I would like to think that it is a rare Binns & Mason made in Pittsburgh around the 1880's,
Contributions to Knife Magazine ,
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
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mypepsi5
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:58 am
Oops, on second thought, I'm not sure what it is. It looks almost like one we have here, but the shield on the one we have is in the center of the knife, not as close to the bolster as yours.
And I just want you to know if I ever find the kind of knife you are looking for---I'd probably be your new best friend, huh?
Just kidding! But hey we hit up a lot of flea markets, so you just never know.... too bad I don't know what one looks like. (Hint: do you have a picture of one?)
Deb
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
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mypepsi5
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:58 am
hmmmm I think Pa knives didn't know because maybe it is a NY knife ??? Methinks I might be on to something there.
See this site is teaching me some things after all! I know more about knives than my hubby! He admits it too! I wish that meant I won something <sigh>
Deb
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
- PA Knives
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:53 pm
- Location: The "Magic Circle" in NW Pennsylvania
YOU mean they actually made knives somewhere else besides Pennsylvania??
Bryan, I think your idea is great. Have a thread that has a mystery knife photo, show everything but the tang stamp and lets see who identifies it first. Of course you can only use Pennsylvania knives so that I have a chance!!!!!
Bryan, I think your idea is great. Have a thread that has a mystery knife photo, show everything but the tang stamp and lets see who identifies it first. Of course you can only use Pennsylvania knives so that I have a chance!!!!!
Contributions to Knife Magazine ,
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
- PA Knives
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:53 pm
- Location: The "Magic Circle" in NW Pennsylvania
- PA Knives
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:53 pm
- Location: The "Magic Circle" in NW Pennsylvania
HEY, I guessed it was made in New York, but Cat's came from Pa orginally. So I should wind something too!!!!!! 
Contributions to Knife Magazine ,
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
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mypepsi5
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:58 am
Now here's another question about that knife, or rather the maker. What would the markings be on a knife made by that company? Or isn't it as simple as that? I know I must sound pretty dumb about these things, but I HAVE learned a lot since I started my quest. Its just there is SO MUCH to know, and even though I already know more than my husband
it still isn't enough to catch up to you guys. 
Deb
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
- Bryan
- Gold Tier

- Posts: 2458
- Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 5:20 pm
- Location: Illinois
Hi Deb,
For me, the biggest giveaway on this knife (without seeing the tang) would be the bone handle (color / jigging). I tried to find a good picture of a Cattaraugus tang stamp, but the attached is the best I could come up with... This one is the most common you will see. It has Cattaraugus in an arch. The next most common would have the Cattaraugus name in a straight line.
Bryan
For me, the biggest giveaway on this knife (without seeing the tang) would be the bone handle (color / jigging). I tried to find a good picture of a Cattaraugus tang stamp, but the attached is the best I could come up with... This one is the most common you will see. It has Cattaraugus in an arch. The next most common would have the Cattaraugus name in a straight line.
Bryan
- Attachments
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- catt_tang_stamp.jpg (21.74 KiB) Viewed 4423 times
- PA Knives
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:53 pm
- Location: The "Magic Circle" in NW Pennsylvania
HEY PEOPLE!
If your looking for a great old collectable knife, this company is a stand out. I have visited the old factory area a couple of times. This region is really rich in cutlery history. Old Cat knives are increasing in value considerably. Many patterns to chose from and not super hard to find, but getting there. I suggest you look at some books that are just on CAT's. There are several variations on the tang stamps and the handles are always gorgeous.
AS you can tell people I am trying to convince her to get into the old time stuff like me.
There is just something about this old knives that gets my blood going. The quality is always top knotch.
This is a great place to ask questions about them. EBAY is a good source to view many knives and get a feel for their prices. Remember that there are new CAT's too, from Arkansas. Great quality but not orginal old time knives. Byran has a great section on this site that gives links and history on these company. He always has help for us. Now if I could just get him to realize that PA knives are by far the best
HA HA HHA HA
OK I'm done on this one.
If your looking for a great old collectable knife, this company is a stand out. I have visited the old factory area a couple of times. This region is really rich in cutlery history. Old Cat knives are increasing in value considerably. Many patterns to chose from and not super hard to find, but getting there. I suggest you look at some books that are just on CAT's. There are several variations on the tang stamps and the handles are always gorgeous.
AS you can tell people I am trying to convince her to get into the old time stuff like me.
OK I'm done on this one.
Contributions to Knife Magazine ,
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
Author of "Great Eastern Cutlery: An American Tradition, The History of the Northfield & Tidioute Brands" & "Tidioute: A Town With an Edge" “The Chronicles of Cooper Cutlery”
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mypepsi5
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:58 am
Well thank you gentlemen! I will be sure to look out for these knives when I'm snooping through some sales. I know what PA Knives means about the old ones though. You can almost feel the history in them. You might think I'm silly, but I always wonder who owned them. What they were used for--did the owner take them to different places. Was the knife carried in a war, was it given to them by a favorite relative? Okay, enough rambling--just wanted to say thanks for the lesson!
Deb
Can I use this knife to cut butter?
Can I use this knife to cut butter?