Need Help w/ this Keen Kutter...

[Gatorfleas]

Would really appreciate any information on this Keen Kutter. Acquired on a trade and would like to confirm it's authenticity. Thanks in advance!!

[Beechtree]

Looks good Gatorfleas, nice knife you have there. It is hard to tell from the photos if it has been buffed or if that is its true full polish, but I would guess that it was originally etched Keen Kutter and that it has been buffed out. It looks like the blade is quite full, possibly with a reshaped tip. If you can get a photo of it flat and in better focus it could be determined. Looks to be 1930s. Nice score. I imagine it is 5 3/8ths closed?

[steve99f]

That blade profile kicks azz!

[glennbad]

I agree with Beechtree, does look to have blade loss and then reprofiled and buffed. Still looks like a full belly on that blade though.

[terryl308]

Hey Gatorfleas, a couple of tips for your photo's. Try a solid color fabric or leather to lay your knife on and take the photo in the bright shade, not direct sunlight. Your camera must have auto focus like mine, the grass blades are in sharp focus but the knife is a little blurry. Looks like it might have been buffed quite a little? Nice knife however! Knives are a bitch to photograph, to eliminate the reflections. Terry

[danno50]

From Sellen's book it is a 1196 3/4, manufactured between 1905 and 1920. I have one in much worse condition. The swedge, shield, pin placement, bail hole and kick on yours and mine are exact matches, so I believe yours is a good knife. However, as has been previously stated, heavily cleaned and polished. Originally it would have had a blade etch that said "TICKLER" in block letters. Would be nice to see more photos in focus. In your photos the ends of the long pull appear to be rounded, but, this could be a illusion of the photograph? I believe the ends of the pull should be cut fairly squarely, although one end of the one on mine is slightly rounded as well.
Dan

[danno50]

Here are some photos of mine. The second one shows the fairly distinctive kick and the second one shows the swedge. In the second pic it also shows the end of the long pull closest to the bolster is very slightly rounded.
Dan

[galvanic1882]

Here is one etched Tickler but is marked Walden Knife Co, I have another one marked KK with a different etch that will take pics of and post tomorrow.

[glennbad]

I just remembered I had one of these. Mine is in a state of disrepair, but it's pretty much all there.

[danno50]

Here is one etched Tickler but is marked Walden Knife Co, I have another one marked KK with a different etch that will take pics of and post tomorrow.

Beautiful knife, Mike. Quoting from Sellens: "Walden was shown as a Simmons house brand in the 1908 through 1911 Simmons catalogs". Looking forward to seeing pics of your similar KK.
Glen, that blade is fairly full, knife looks like a good candidate for one of your rebuilds.
Dan

[galvanic1882]

Walden made knives for Simmons till they bought the factory in 1911 and probably kept the same works after that. Here is the other FH, nice ROACH-TISDALE & Co etch.

[danno50]

Another beautiful old knife, Mike! There seems to be quite a bit of conflicting information concerning the relationship between EC Simmons and Walden Knife Co.

Goins say that Simmons took over controlling interest in Walden in 1911.
Sellens say that Simmons took over controlling interest in Walden in 1902.
Wikipedia also states that Simmons took over Walden in 1902, however, they cite Sellens book on Keen Kutter planes in their references, so maybe got that date from him.
Blades Guide to Knives and Their Values says that Simmons purchased Walden in 1902.
In the thread on Walden Knife Co. started by Miller Bros, he gives the date for Simmons taking over management of Walden as 1902.http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... ry#p144925
The Hardware Company Kollectors Klub has an online article on Simmons Hardware Co., however, does not make any mention of either Walden or Winchester?

Goins does not give any sources or bibliography in his book (probably because that would need a larger volume than the book itself) for his date of 1911. The volume of evidence seems to point to the 1902 date for Simmons taking over Walden, however, the evidence is all interrelated and once it is stated probably self perpetuates? Sellens did look at over 20 different Simmons catalogs in preparing his book? I believe I need to do quite a bit more research on the EC Simmons Hardware Company.
Dan

[Miller Bro's]

In the thread on Walden Knife Co. started by Miller Bros, he gives the date for Simmons taking over management of Walden as 1902.viewtopic.php?f=35&t=18255&p=144925&hilit=simmons+hardware+history#p144925

Dan, when I wrote that intro I obtained the 1902 date from an original Simmons catalog I have. In it they give that as the date they took over operations of Walden.

[danno50]

Thanks for the info, Dimitri, very helpful.
Dan

[galvanic1882]

Thanks for the info guys, I always assumed it was 1911. The knives are great no matter!!

[Gatorfleas]

Once again...thanks u guys for all your input....i just love this site...nothing u can't ask and not get a answer....if everyone who wants to do knives would get on this site it would blow their mind at the help and knowledge u guys have floating around.....by the way yes i love my big KK...it is my first...thanks again guys...fleas