McKean and sons?

[AGDO]

Any info on tang stamp McKean and sons, chicago?

[danno50]

Are you sure it doesn't say M.Klein? Welcome to AAPK.
Dan

[AGDO]

Thanks Dan.
I'm new to site. You are correct. It's M.Kein. Chicago. Also has an "H" stamped on tang. Picked it up at a flea market today for $4. Never came across one before. Info?

[danno50]

Goins says they started in business in 1857 and are still in business. They are dealers in all types of tools. Most of their knives are electricians patterns and they first sold knives in 1911. The knives have been manufactured by various manufacturers. Levine says they were an electric wholesaler and their knives were made by Utica. I have a Klein lockback I bought at a welding supply store some years ago. Please post some pictures of your knife.
Dan

[orvet]

Camillus made the M Klein electrician knives, at least until 1952.
This is an S-card form the Camillus for a run of M. Klein electrician knives in 1952.

I got this card from Tom Williams when he sent me copies of numerous the S-cards form the Camillus factory.
It is a 1951 inventory of the number of dozens of electrician knives Camillus had made for M. Klein.

Notice the top line on the left; Camillus had made 416 2/3 dozen knives for Klein in 1948, & 500 doz. of another pattern also in 1948.
In 1950 they ordered another 500 doz. knives.
Though I don't know which models they were, I suspect they were the electrician's knife, the small rope knife & the hawk bill pruner.
These three patterns regularly appear with the M. Klein tang stamp.

At what point M. Klein switched over to Utica, I am not sure, but I suspect that by the 1970s they had made the switch, if not before.


I have seen 3 different Klein tang stamps and there maybe others as well.
There is the M. Klein tang stamp, which I believe is the earliest one and then the M. Klein and Sons stamp.
There is a third stamp on knives sold under the Klein name, it says; KLEIN TOOLS/CHICAGO, USA.
I have that stamp on a serpentine jack parts knife with 2 broken blades.

[tjmurphy]

This is a "XELA" which Goins lists as a trademark used by M.Klein c. 1910-1932

And, a Cattaraugus

[royal0014]

It's M.Kein. Chicago. Also has an "H" stamped on tang.

Doesn't the letter stamp signify a year or something? Or am I confused again.. .. .. ..

Oh, and Welcome Aboard AGDO!

[AGDO]

Thanks to all. Can I just say how impressed I am at the knowledge you have and how generously you offer it.
I look forward to getting to know you and hope someday I can repay your thoughful kindness. AGDO