Robeson National Cash Register Coin Knife

[RobesonsRme.com]

I got this off Ebay yesterday for $35.00.

Robeson produced several coin knives during the 1940's or so. I've seen three or four different patterns and I've seen others marked "Hickok" or "Ambassador" that I suspect Robeson probably made.

This one has Robeson marked blades.

I know I've said I'm not "actively" buying Robeson knives, but then, I'm not stupid either.

Maybe Jerry can shed some light on to what "CPC 1940" refers.

Charlie

[jerryd6818]

Established as a sales incentive program in 1906, CPC stood for Century Point Club. It was more commonly known as the Hundred Point Club. Clever devils that they were, C is also the Roman numeral for 100. To become a member, a sales agent was required to secure an average of 100 points a month for 12 consecutive months, from January 1 to December 21, or 1,200 net points per year. While Dayton OH was still the headquarters for NCR, members were rewarded with a two week meeting in Dayton, In January after qualifying. The rules for CPC qualification have changed from time to time but it still exists today.

Sadly, NCR's World Headquarters is no longer in Dayton. It's been moved to Atlanta, GA.

Excellent find Charlie.

Edit: Sorry. I forgot to mention, 1940 was the year that coin knife was awarded to that years members. Better than a tang stamp, eh?

[RobesonsRme.com]

Thanks, Jerry. I knew you'd come through with accurate, knowlegible information.

The only other one of these I actually have is also dated.

It was made for the 1941 Silver Jubilee of a company called Rabhor Robes, makers of men's smoking jackets.

I suspect the demand for quality smoking jackets is near zero now.

Charlie

[Joe58]

Thanks for posting the pictures, and the great explanation. Learning new stuff all the time on here.

Appreciated!

[peanut740]

In this month's Knife World Levine has a coin knife that appears to be made by Robeson in his Whut Izzit column.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Yes, I saw that, it was a Hickok, Rochester, NY.
Charlie

[RobesonsRme.com]

There is one I've seen on Ebay more than once that commemorates an industry like steam and pipe-fitters or something similar.

They are unmarked, but could very well be Robesons.

Charlie

[RobesonsRme.com]

I amazed at how often an Ebay seller describes these as "cigar cutters".

Charlie

[RobesonsRme.com]

The National Cash Register knife arrived today. Beautiful little knife just in need of a couple of drops of oil.

Charlie

[Joe58]

Just curious Charlie - what search term are you using for finding those?

I tried a couple different terms and didn't see anything. Doubt I'd buy one as they aren't my cuppa tea, but am always interested in more knowledge.

Thanks!

[RobesonsRme.com]

Joe, you're asking for "Trade Secrets".

Oh, why not.

Firstly, I generally look at every auction posting in the Pre-1970 Folding Knifes section almost every few days, but I only open the auctions that get my attention with their title or the appended postage stamp photo. I used to do that everyday, but it's a bit time consuming.

That exposes one to every new listing in that category.

I search the Pre-1970 Folding Knife category for keywords "Robeson" and "ShurEdge" and "Terrier".

I search all categories for "Robeson Cutlery" and "Terrier Cutlery". That will catch items like postcards, letterheads, advertising, etc. that get listed in categories other than knives.

I'd have to go back and look, but I don't think the NCR coin knife auction mentioned "Robeson", other than in the description, but I will open almost any auction for a coin knife that I think looks to have the quality of Robeson.

Charlie

[Joe58]

Ok, that makes sense Charlie. I search as well for the terms you've mentioned for the most part, but not for "coin knife". I may need to find a decent example of one just to have one in the collection as an example.

As in another thread that was discussing rulers with a knife blade. Could be nice to have a decent older example of one of those as well.

I wish I'd of had the opportunity to see your collection all set up at a show once. I think I'd have been most impressed. Just the pictures were pretty darn nice to see.

Thanks for the help Charlie! I'm learning a lot.

Joe

[RobesonsRme.com]

Thanks, Joe.

So, after Bernie Levine posted one of these in his latest "Whut-Izzit?" column, this one shows up on Ebay with a $100.00 starting bid.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331671830967?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Levine thinks this might be a Robeson knife, though it is not marked as such.

He could be right. The knife is marked "HICKOK", a seller of item's for men, like cuff-links, etc.

Hickok was located in Rochester, NY, as was Robeson, and the little pulls on the blades and the blade's shape are like those on Robeson marked coin knives.

However, a Hickok marked knife is not worth a hundred bucks.

A corporate affiliation on the handles would be better than the headsortails emblems.

Charlie

[Joe58]

What year about would you out on that Charlie?

I know it's hard to pin it for sure a Robeson, I'm just curious as to when it may have been crafted. So many companies made so many similar contract pieces.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Firstly, I don't guarantee it to be Robeson.

But, if it is, I don't think they made this pattern after WWII.

Charlie