Utica Nam Era and Robeson WWII

[MikeA]

I told another respected forum member that I probably was premature (BUI) on ebay but I dont have a Utica knife at all from any era or style. SO I pulled the plug on a buy now and bought a Robeson and a Utica. I paid top dollar for the Utica but I was hoping that for me it was one chance in a thousand to get one so overall I am happy. I tried to do some research online before I bid for it but didnt have much luck. I was hoping that the Military forum would show more but no good so I pulled the trigger anyway- just so it wouldnt slip away. The Utica sheath has 1963 on it; The Robeson was an estate sale and supposedly carried but a sub-man for 15 yrs during WWII. Im sure a lot of you guys saw them on Epay.

IF you can validate this as good I would appreciate it, IF you see that its a repro or other then I will send you my address to send me some cyanide pills for Alzeheimers.

thanks as usual.

Is there a knife rehab facility in the US?
Mike

[TripleF]

WOW, no replies......

And unfortunately I can not contribute anything.....

[MikeA]

I was able to do some more research on the Military Forum and I do have what appears to be a legitimate Utica ka-bar knife. This particular one with the wording was made around or after 1960 so it fits the Nam Era time-frame. The Robeson also appears to be truly WWII. So Overall I think I am in good shape. Whether the price was good or not remains to be seen but I've made worse mistakes before. I dont ever mention that mine are issue knives as I dont have any documentation to prove that - only that they are period correct knives. Some day I might run across one with a paper trail. Regardless I think they just connect those weapons to the military guys and gals that continue to keep us free.


Mike

[coffeecup]

The Utica looks like a good "second generation" Mk 2. Utica was one of the first manufacturers (if not the first) when production for the military was resumed in 1960 or so. One fo the few changes was in the blade stamp ("U.S." over the maker's name).

I can't tell from the photo: are the sheath and handle still "oxblood" in color (sort of a maroonish-brown to me, but I'm a bit colorblind so don't trust that!)? Check it in direct sunlight to really see the color. Don't quote me on this, but from my notes, Utica production was a natural brown from '60-'61. Color change from brown to oxblood came about with the requirement for fungicide treatment in '61 (but who knows when changes in production actually happened?); the fungicide changed the final color. Sometime around 1960, the color was required to be black (from what I've heard, a lot of guys overdyed their older stuff stuff black).

Another change in specs (on the sheath) was going from 9 rivets on the early knives, to 7 rivets on later knives--I think this change was made about the same time as the fungicide requirement was added.

The Robeson is a Robeson-made USN-marked Mk I; I've got notes of these (with wood pommel) being issued in March '43, Sept '43, and May '44. It has seen a little wear, but not as bad as many--most I've seen have badly cracked or chipped pommels. Earlier in the war, the navy had purchased a lot of commercial knives for issue as deck knives, so you'll sometimes see the same knife marked Robeson-Shuredge No. 20 (without provenance, it isn't possible to separate commercial/civilian No. 20s from those used by the military).

The few submarine guys I've talked with have mentioned the various versions of the Mk I, and I guess that makes sense: subs are rather cramped, a shorter knife would be better. I used to know a guy who was a corpman in the Korean War who carried one of these; he was kinda "height-challenged" and found it easier than carrying the Mk2 that everyone else had.

[MikeA]

Thanks once more for you vast information. This is oxblood no doubt based upon my oxblood shoes I used to wear
and it has 7 rivets so that does indicate a later time frame (assuming there were no switcheroos). I did notice on one of the "inscriptions" on the leather it showed fresh color underneath compared to earlier scratches which were still oxblood or had been re-dressed with shoe shine over the years. So its hard to say that people don't monkey with those things............ Regardless I am pleased with my only Utica now.

Perhaps my grandson will enjoy them in 20 yrs as much as I am now.


thanks coffecup


Mike

[RobesonsRme.com]

Nothing wrong with the Robeson Mark II. It's just seen some heavy use.

I will tell you that Robeson WWII knives can be found in really nice condition on Ebay if you're patient, bide your time and wait for a nice one to appear.

A Mark I like yours sells relatively cheap and a near mint example can be had for well under a hundred dollars.

Mark II's in near mint condition sell in the two hundred dollar and up range.

The U. S. Army knives are a bit less, as are the Navy shark knives.

The M-3 commando knives can be quite dear, selling upwards of a grand and more if they have all the right attributes.

Charlie Noyes
(I don't visit this Forum often)