Cooter, you may be on to something.The Proto knives look very much like Uticas, and the stamp looks similar. This pattern is not listed in their current catalog though. The stamp on mine looks like it was either very weak or was partially buffed out. Maybe I will order another one and see what I get. Whatever, this one will probably cause some head-scratching on the AAPK boards in fifty years. Somebody will put the blade in a Case mini trapper frame and sell it on ebay as a long lost Parker era prototype.
Cooter, you hit the nail right on the head. Utica made those for the Proto Tool Co. You can get a straight blade here for $8.45- http://www.tool-buyer.com/18520
I have one with a Klein tang stamp that's been used and abused but is still a little sweetheart. I've been going back and forth with myself over getting a new one and having it re-handled. For $8.45 plus shipping, how can you go wrong? It's a sweet little knife.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
I just noticed they're all different lengths. The Klein I have and the Proto's "Rope Knife" that you just bought are 3-1/4" closed. The Utica with the serrated blade that they call a "Coping Knife" is 3-3/4" closed then Utica's "Rope Knife" is 4-1/2" closed. I guess civilians would say, "So what?".
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
I think the Utica "rope knife" is built on the same frame as the hawksbill and they call the smaller framed one a coping knife to differentiate it in their own product line. Then Proto calls the small one a rope knife because that's what everyone else in the world calls it. I'm real fond of the small framed rope knife like Camillus made by the millions but not that fond of serrated blades, so you posting about the source for the Proto straight-bladed ones made my day. Of all my knives, my rope knife gets the most use.
One of my Christmas presents was a Utica KutMaster Catskill Premium Stockman. What a class act. Quality, fit and finish are superb. I'll post pictures when I get home. I couldn't be more pleased.
I was given this knife last week and was trying to find some history on Utica and Kutmaster. When I searched the web it brought me right to this post. This is a Kutmaster with a spear, clip, can opener, corkscrew, bottle opener with a screwdriver end and a really neat solid triangle punch. Wood handles but I think the liners may be nickle silver as are the pins. Anyway a magnet will not grab them at all. That does not make much sense though for this type of knife. Stainless maybe?
I will say it is fine quality and I was really surprised as it has not received much care, but works perfect. I read the history that was in this post, but cannot find a clue about when it was made.
Thanks for bringing this threat back to the top, JoeBob! I'm hooked on this muskrat, guess it's time to get out the wallet.
UT22579GB: Big Pine Series | 3-7/8” Muskrat
Utica Cutlery Company | Makers of Kutmaster Knives & Tools
Lavish, deep green, jigged bone handles set the Big Pine series apart from any other knives found today. Blades are crafted from 1095 carbon steel blades with a taper ground razor edge. Classic Utica war shield is embedded into one side of the handle on most models. Bolsters are solid nickel silver.
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Utica Big Pine Muskrat
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Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter