Boys Knives Through the Years

This forum is dedicated to the discussion and display of old knives. The rich history of all the many companies that made them through the early years will be found here as well as many fine examples of the cutlers art. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here!
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LongBlade
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

I quite enjoy the characters they put on those knives for boys :D ...
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Miller Bro's »

Nice knife Dan ::tu::

Here's an oldie, to bad the blade is toast! :lol:
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by FRJ »

Great knives, Dan and Lee and Dimitri.

That is an oldie, Dimitri. Was it ever a whistle knife?
Can you read the tangs?
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Miller Bro's »

Thanks Joe!

Don't think this one had the whistle, the blade is so deeply pitted if it was stamped it's long gone :(

At least the handle is marked Frary :D
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Good find on the knife Dimitri - despite the blade the handles are nice :D ::tu:: ::tu:: ... I posted the same knife on page one of this thread if you want to see the blade :lol: :lol: :lol: - viewtopic.php?f=35&t=53155&p=585280&hilit=frary#p585280
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by FRJ »

Aw jeez, it's all coming back to me now. I forgot about the ones I posted! ::facepalm::
Nice little knife, Lee!! ::tu::
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Old Folder »

Thanks Joe & Dimitri ::nod::
I have also had my eyes open for a long time in search of the "Frary Whistle Knife"
No luck yet. It's very elusive.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

The Frary whistle knife is somewhat elusive - I know of 2 that sold on eBay in the last 3 years - the most recent one went between $300-500 if I remember correctly and no I didn't win it (I saved it on my watch list even as an ended auction but I think eBay deleted it automatically after a period of time) so no photos - there is one photo of that knife on that "worthless" website site called Worthpoint :lol: but you can't copy photos - here's the link: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 1928485042 if it lasts on that website... (BTW - I never signed up for the "supposed" free trial of Worthpoint as I have read many reviews that the free trial automatically switches to a paid membership after a week without choice and many folks have battled with that company over being scammed into a membership - just an fyi and my understanding and maybe others know different)...
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

Doing a quick Google Image search for "Frary Knife" produced these:
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LongBlade
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

I should have noted one thing about the Frary Whistle knife - if there is an eBay auction for one you are not only bidding against guys who collect knives as I found out there is quite a following of folks that collect old whistles ::nod:: - just something to keep in mind on final prices on auctions for these as there are 2 different types of collectors bidding.... BTW - there is even a whistle museum somewhere in the USA...
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Old Folder »

Good point Lee, "Double Collectible" now even more elusive, and higher priced.

Charlie, thanks for the Frary pictures. Been so long since I even seen a picture of the whistle, I had forgotton what it looked like.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Old Folder »

Here is a fascinating boys knife, appropriately named "LUCKY BOY" with two exchangeable blades, aluminum handle with individual pockets which contain a compass, a level, a candle, fishing line with hooks and lead weights, 2 types of matches and a thermometer, these items are protected by a clear plastic cover fastened by three brass screws to the aluminum handle.
When the large knurled knob is completely unscrewed to it's stop, the knife blade swings out and the blade an be exchanged with the saw blade, or vice-versa. Tightening the knob secures your blade of choice securely.
A great survival knife for the young survivalist.
Upon bringing it home many years ago, I did a patent search and realized that the U.S. Patent office is not immune from mistakes.
The patent number on the rear of the knife states: 2904374, however, the correct patent number is: 2904373, one digit off, and never corrected by the Patent Office. I added the correct patent information below.
The U. S. knife was made in Japan, and the patentees were Lloyd Dowdy and Albert Daughtry. Mr. Dowdy was from Mohawk, Oregon, and Mr. Daughtry was from Eugene, Oregon. Perhaps some of our AAPK members residing on the West coast know these two Gentlemen?
Considering the knife is nearing 60 years old, overall the knife is in good condition. The Compass is accurate. I believe the sharpening stone was used on other blades unrelated to the existing blades because I see no severe sharpening marks on the existing blades. The glass thermometer appears to be fractured?
The leather sheath is custom made for the "Lucky Boy" knife, and is monogramed to "Jason" on the rear.
Wherever you are Jason, thank you for taking care of your "Lucky Boy" knife so that it can shared with all AAPK members. ::nod::
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by BWT »

Very nice and very interesting Dan, thanks for sharing that!!
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Miller Bro's »

Nice one Dan, I don't know if that sheath is original? All the ones I have seen have a hole where the compass is located so it can be read without taking the knife out of the sheath.

Here's one I have 8)
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Old Folder »

Thank you BWT ::tu::

I agree Dimitri ::nod::
I have seen similar sheaths and they also had a cutout for the compass.
Having the western leather work on the front and "Jason" engraved on the rear is kind of a giveaway for it to be custom made.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by woodwalker »

Here is an old Imperial Boys Knife that I picked up recently.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Quick Steel »

woodwalker, Do you know if there is a name for that kind of deeply scalloped jigging?
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by woodwalker »

Quick Steel wrote:woodwalker, Do you know if there is a name for that kind of deeply scalloped jigging?
No sir. I like someone else on this thread thought it was marked LK Co USA. When it was actually I.K. Co USA. The period after the "I" makes it look like an L. Mine has black paint in between the metal scallops. I think some were red and some were green if not mistaken. But, no I don't know if there is a name for the deeply scalloped jigging. It's a neat little knife that didn't cost much. Thanks for looking. :)
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by bighomer »

I like these little fellers, great steel, sharpens up just fine. ::tu::
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by FRJ »

Nice little knives, bighomer.
They do get sharp.
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

For a company which made loads of shell handled knives like IK Co USA I believe they made a quality knife for the price - they were indeed popular boys knives in the 1900s at a very affordable price .... to me they were solid knives with good blades.... and guarantee boys were not the only ones to carry them :)

Here’s mine from my Boys Knife collection -
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by woodwalker »

LongBlade wrote:For a company which made loads of shell handled knives like IK Co USA I believe they made a quality knife for the price - they were indeed popular boys knives in the 1900s at a very affordable price .... to me they were solid knives with good blades.... and guarantee boys were not the only ones to carry them :)

Here’s mine from my Boys Knife collection -

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Very nice Lee!! And you have the chain! I like them too. When I was a kid that's about all I could afford was a imperial knife. Would mow a few yards and go buy me one. I guess that's why I like the old imperials to this day. Kinda takes me back to my childhood. I didn't even know about other brands like Case. Would of had to mow a lot of yards for one of those! :) I remember getting 2 dollars for a large yard. O the good Ole days!! Thanks for showing yours. It is very nice!!
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by LongBlade »

Thanks woodwalker ::tu:: ::tu:: ..,

I should have noted I really liked yours on the previous page and BH’s as well ::tu:: ... your memories as a young kid mowing lawns and going to buy one is why condition of these IK Co knives almost becomes secondary - the memories are priceless - while that knife may not have been yours somebody had a deep historical connection and memory to it - maybe even their first knife and they used & sharpened it for years - maybe even into adulthood - the stories knives have embedded in them from their past we may never know but it is what makes those HOKs great in my opinion and not always their condition ::handshake::
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by woodwalker »

LongBlade wrote:Thanks woodwalker ::tu:: ::tu:: ..,

I should have noted I really liked yours on the previous page and BH’s as well ::tu:: ... your memories as a young kid mowing lawns and going to buy one is why condition of these IK Co knives almost becomes secondary - the memories are priceless - while that knife may not have been yours somebody had a deep historical connection and memory to it - maybe even their first knife and they used & sharpened it for years - maybe even into adulthood - the stories knives have embedded in them from their past we may never know but it is what makes those HOKs great in my opinion and not always their condition ::handshake::
Well said Lee, well said!! :D
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Re: Boys Knives Through the Years

Post by Miller Bro's »

Nice ones guys ::tu::

Here's another one I have.....
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