Robeson Germany

[kootenay joe]

I bought this knife thinking it was a 'regular' USA Robeson, and an early Robeson. The "Germany" marking was not shown or mentioned.
3 3/8" Serpentine Pen with a unique Manicure secondary marked: ROBESON/Cutlery Co./Germany The master blade tang is marked: Robeson/Cutlery/Co on the front, back tang is & was not marked.
Handles i believe are horn.
Was the entire knife made in Germany for Robeson ? if so, by which knife manufacturer ?
Or, only the Manicure blade was made in Germany ? (less likely i think)
Is this knife considered to be as collectible as a USA Robeson of similar age ?
Why did Robeson contract out to a German manufacturer ?
thanks for the help here.
kj
ps, i need to take a picture of the master tang marking. will post it when i can.

[RobesonsRme.com]

It is quite early, 1891 to 1896 or so, in fact.

Millard Robeson was importing most of his cutlery from Germany, some from Austria and England, prior to the tariffs of 1890.

He continued to do so after 1891, until the extra import costs became bothersome.

Some of these will be marked, "PREMIER" or "WARRANTED" on one or more tangs.

The best thing about these knives is they were imported, sold and shipped while Millard Robeson was still alive and almost all his employees were his immediate family members, sons and daughters included. I've seen multiple invoices from this time period and they almost all say, "packed by" or "shipped by" and the initials coincide with those of one of his children. For years, his business was operated out of his home.

He eventually contracted with Sherwood/Bingham in Camillus, New York, about 1894 or so and soon stopped the German imports altogether.

Years ago, Jim & Cindy Taylor had a beautiful and similarly constructed, horn handled 3 1/2" congress long pull whittler on one of their knife lists.

Foolishly, I declined to buy it.

Charlie

[knifeaholic]

Charlie;

Robeson imported some more from Germany in the 1950's...here is one that I have:

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 55476.html

I have seen a few other patterns and several were listed in the Robeson catalog from the 1950's.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Yes, about a half dozen patterns, plus some elaborate kitchen cutlery and carving sets, but that was long after Roland's knife and during a period when Emerson Case was trying to save the company from failure.

I have that same six blade utility in mint condition.

Charlie

[dcgm4]

Awesome Robeson, kj. I love the long swedge and short long pull.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks to all, especially Charlie for posting such interesting history. It is wonderful the information that an old knife is able to elicit from those who know.
This old Pen knife is so well made that the walk & talk is just as it should be and the horn handles are rounded to give the knife greater girth which the hand enjoys.
I am very pleased with my inexpensive knife. I will look for more of these early Robesons.
kj

[RobesonsRme.com]

Such as:

And all pre-1900.

Charlie

[kootenay joe]

What fine STYLE those old Robeson's have ! lovely patterns.
Are these also all made in Germany ?
kj

[RobesonsRme.com]

The little Fillmore and the pearl doctors knife are German. I think the other two were made for Robeson by Sherwood/Bingham in Camillus, New York.

Charlie