Vintage Union Cutlery Co. KA-BAR Knives

[dcgm4]

Nice one, royal!

That's a sweet hobo, cato!

[Gunsil]

Back at it. I have recently discovered some information on these green handled KA-BARs from studying the old catalogs and multiple magazine ads. This material isn't celluloid, it is karolith, an early casein based "plastic". Unlike celluloid it isn't flammable. These karolith knives are pretty hard to find, and I have only seen these handles on these two models and sizes.These are 92 and 71 model numbers, the 92 (top one) has a rarer full 5" blade while most 92 models have 4&1/2" blades. Next are some of my 64 models (yes, I have more, I have a sickness). There are 5,6, and the very rare 7" knives here, the tortoise cell one has steel guard and butt cap, made during the WW2 years. They made these in several types of jigged bone over the years, you can see three types here. The last one is a Union Cut knife, and as pictured in one of the old Union Cut catalogs, without a guard. I have several Union Cut versions of this knife, yet this one is the only one without a guard. All the KA-BAR marked ones of these (model 38, or "Bearcat") I have ever seen have guards, so I believe only the earliest production knives were guardless. My sickness is still raging, so if any of you know where I could obtain any more of these rarer model Union or KA-BAR knive in near mint to mint condition please feel free to contact me.

Enjoy them, Gene

[ratlesnake75]

Killer Looking Sunfish knives there Peanut. Makes me DROOL!!!!
Kind Regards,
Mark

[ratlesnake75]

Hey Guys, Them Yellow handled FOLDERS in this blog is a killer collection!! So Many Great antique KA-BAR & Union knives in this thread. One can NEVER get enough of seeing pics of Union or KA-BAR knives. I would like to add a couple also

When you guys have the time, Maybe a few comments on why the handles are different on this take-apart hobo,,,I do feel the knife to be 100% legit, but I am sure not everyone will agree or anyone will agree, LOL. Please look at the patina on last picture of this take-apart,,,by the way,,,I know its hard to tell from pics alone,,,but the entire knife has the exact same patina throughout. I am under the impression that way back in 1910's they put together these knives,,NOT TO BE IDENTICAL IN EVERY WAY,,But to make a useful knife w/ the parts they had on hand that day. One side of this take-apart has Rogers bone and the other side green bone. Looked on the inside liners and no extra rivot holes, etc. Anyways,,Scarce pattern to come by.
Kind Regards,
Mark

[Pile Driver]

Here are some of my knives, sorry for the varying photo quality

[peanut740]

Nice bunch Pile Driver.The made for Scouts is a tough one to fine in that kind of shape.

[Pile Driver]

Thank you Peanut, I hope to get out to shows and pound the pavement this year to expand my collection. Union Cutlery Co. has to be my favorite maker.

[RalphAlsip]

Pile Driver, the equal end Ka-Bar is super nice. Is length more like 3 1/2 or 4 1/4 ?

[Pile Driver]

Ralph, I'll confirm tonight and let you know later on. Glad you like it, it's one of my favorite knives.

[peanut740]

Thank you Peanut, I hope to get out to shows and pound the pavement this year to expand my collection. Union Cutlery Co. has to be my favorite maker.

You have a good start.I set up at several shows and have mostly older knives,including Union Razor,Union Cut and Kabar.

[Pile Driver]

I only know of a small, semi-annual show in Massachusetts (I live just north of Boston). I'll have to research more area shows.

[peanut740]

I've never been to it but there is a from what I'm told an excellent show in Mystic Ct.Not many in your neck of the woods,but if you don't mind to travel West and south you will find several.

[Miller Bro's]

This is a small knife, 3" blade, all stag handle.

[Madmarco]

This is a small knife, 3" blade, all stag handle.

Beautiful knife M.B.! I jus' LOVE the pommel! Happy Holidays!

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks Marco, Happy holidays to you too!

[ScoutKnives]

Recent pick up , KA-BAR Union cutlery official Boy Scout knife in the original box .
Knife is used but still retains the official Boy Scout etch .

Thanks for looking ,
Mike

[zzyzzogeton]

Recent pick up , KA-BAR Union cutlery official Boy Scout knife in the original box .
Knife is used but still retains the official Boy Scout etch .

Thanks for looking ,
Mike

Could we get a look at the whole knife? 4 inch or 5 inch blade? The little I can see of the knife looks like it might have the flat pommel USN MK1 construction. If so, that's the first box for them I have seen. And the Union Cutlery on the box confirms these were post-war up to the name change.

[ScoutKnives]

Blade is 5 inches

Recent pick up , KA-BAR Union cutlery official Boy Scout knife in the original box .
Knife is used but still retains the official Boy Scout etch .

Thanks for looking ,
Mike

Could we get a look at the whole knife? 4 inch or 5 inch blade? The little I can see of the knife looks like it might have the flat pommel USN MK1 construction. If so, that's the first box for them I have seen. And the Union Cutlery on the box confirms these were post-war up to the name change.

[Pile Driver]

That box especially is like a time capsule, really cool.

[zzyzzogeton]

Blade is 5 inches

Recent pick up , KA-BAR Union cutlery official Boy Scout knife in the original box .
Knife is used but still retains the official Boy Scout etch .

Thanks for looking ,
Mike

Could we get a look at the whole knife? 4 inch or 5 inch blade? The little I can see of the knife looks like it might have the flat pommel USN MK1 construction. If so, that's the first box for them I have seen. And the Union Cutlery on the box confirms these were post-war up to the name change.

Thank you. Cool, but rats, NOT the post-WW2 MK2-like scout knives. So the box for those is still a mystery.

[ScoutKnives]

Thanks PD & ZZ , it’s hard to pass up a vintage scout knife in the original box .

Mike

[ScoutKnives]

Some of my official Boy Scout Kabar knives

Thanks for looking , Mike

[peanut740]

Nice!

[steve99f]

Very cool gathering scoutknives!

[ScoutKnives]

Thanks Roger and Steve .