Recent 10 day trip.

[btrwtr]

My wife and I recently returned from a ten day trip that took in the Brimfield MA. antique show, Lacncaster and Adamstown PA. and Upsate N.Y.

We did a lot of antiquing and of coarse I was on the lookout for old knives all along the way. I did get some lower end bargains but better knives were few and far between and I found none at what I would consider a bargain price. As most of you already know the internet has taken a toll on finding the smaller collectible items at public sales. Good unadulterated knives were scarce in Brimfield as they were in Adamstown PA.

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting 2 of the wonderful members of this site that I only knew by name and electronic means before. Knifeaholic, Steve and Miller Bros, Dimitri were both kind enough to meet up with my wife and I in Marlborough MA. at dinner one evening. Was great to meet both of these knife aficionados face to face.

Here are some pictures of what I picked up along the way. The 2 blade bone handle jack is and Electric cut. The 3 blade Camillus jack is what I would consider a rare pattern. The split stag Iver Johnson is a Russell made knife and much harder to find than the very scarce Russell marked versions. The ivory handle Drew and Sons, Piccadilly Circus is 3 5/8" closed. The 2 sterling silver fruit knives are a large 3 5/8" Thomas Marples dated 1872 and a little William Needham dated 1905.

Last 2 pictures are of my better half at Watkins Glen State Park and my wife with my Mom and Dad at Letchworth State Park both in Upsate N.Y. I would highly recommend these 2 parks park to anyone that might have the opportunity to go.

[treefarmer]

Looks like a great trip! Beautiful scenery, some great knives and your wife and parents, can't beat that with a stick , plus meeting some of our AAPK Family, that deserves a double !
I really like the little Imperial jack with the bail, I'd like to learn more about them. I've got a couple, one has brass liners and one has steel liners .
Treefarmer

[carrmillus]

btrwtr, the curved 3 line stamp on the 3 blade camiius jackknife pre-dates the 4line stamp...are the other blades stamped like this??....if they are, I would say 1902-1915....I've never seen that pattern before......great find!!.................. .............

[btrwtr]

btrwtr, the curved 3 line stamp on the 3 blade camiius jackknife pre-dates the 4line stamp...are the other blades stamped like this??....if they are, I would say 1902-1915....I've never seen that pattern before......great find!!.................. .............

The pen blade has the curved stamp and the master sheepsfoot and LP screwdriver blade both have the 3 line serifs stamp. The reverse side of the knife has "LAKE EIRE BOILER FEED COMPOUND Co. BUFFALO N.Y." printed on the handle. Based on the blade stamps and what I could find out about the Lake Erie Co. I think the knife is c. 1908 -1915. I have seen a number of early 3 blade jacks but this it the first Camillus I remember seeing.

The blades are near full with strong snap. Would have been a pretty nice premium giveaway back in the day.

Wayne

[Mumbleypeg]

Wayne, you're definitely correct about the difficulty of finding good knives nowadays, but you did a lot better than I did on a trip my wife and I took driving from Texas to Maine and back last year. You got some respectable additions there and some great memories. And your dad has great taste in hats!

Ken

[TripleF]

I looked at the pics before I read and said....HEY that looks like Letchworth!! Yeah man!!

I'm originallt from the Rochester area.

Knice knives pal!! Very well done!

[Lawrence]

I'd say you got some pretty nice mementos, and memories of your trip! Love the ivory handled Drew and Sons...very classy. Thanks for sharing

[RobesonsRme.com]

I envy you that trip, Wayne.

If you were in Letchworth Park, you were in Robeson Country, as corporate offices were in Rochester and they had manufacturing facilities in Perry and for a short while, circa WWI, in Mount Morris.

I think all of those are along the Genesee River.

I have an old travel brochure that shows some photos of Letchworth Park. It's a beautiful place. Wish I could visit and hike that area some day.

That Camillus three blade is great knife.

Robeson made that pattern in both ivoroid and bone. Most of the ivoroid knives advertise The Moore Oil Co. and have "THAT GOOD OIL" printed on one side.

Robeson's version had a spear master. I like that sheepsfoot on yours.

I've seen earlier ones with a Presto-Lite key on the screwdiver/wire stripper blade.

I've always considered them to be early automobilist's knives, they also had Robeson's patented 1905 punch, so I guess they were for general use, including harness repair.

People just don't give away good stuff like that as premiums anymore.

What, no pictures of Steve and Dimitri?

Charlie Noyes

[btrwtr]

Charlie that Robeson 3 blade is a real horse. I do think the old, heavy 3 blade jacks of that type were made as tool or automotive knives. Most I have seen had at least one tool type blade.

I grew up just west of Rochester and lived there until I moved to TX. in 1978. I drive through Perry N.Y. every year when I visit my parents in August (running from Houston's summer heat). Robeson, Case, Cattaraugus, KA-BAR, Camillus, Schrade, Utica, Ulster and a hundred smaller knife businesses all were located Upstate.

I'm sorry to say that I never started collecting knives until I moved to TX. and it hurts to think of all the old knives I missed while living Upstate. It's hard to find better territory for old knives than Upstate N.Y. and New England states. I'm sure both Dimitri and Steve can attest to that.

I didn't think to get a picture with Steve and Dimitri but I think I could still pick them out of a lineup if necessary. Both great and knowledgeable knife people. Was a pleasure to meet them.

Wayne

[Beechtree]

Wonderful knives btrwtr. I really like the Drew and Sons smokers knife in Ivory. It looks like it was a bountiful trip and a fantastic time with the family. Thanks for posting the pictures and information on the parks.