Clinton/Cutlery/Co.

[kootenay joe]

Here is a very nice large serpentine jack, 3 3/4", with both blade tangs marked: Clinton/Cutlery/Co. Master blade has a deep etch that is partly worn down" Our Own Leader" with an arrow through it.
The only information in Goins is the date: 1900-1920.
Was Clinton Cutlery a knife manufacturer ?
If not, which manufacturer likely made this knife ?
This is the only Clinton Cutlery knife i have seen. Do you have any examples ?
kj

[peanut740]

Roland,Co.is underlined which usually means foreign made.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Roger. I did not know that.
My father who was old British would underline the "o" in "Co.". Would this also apply to German manufactured knives ?
I associate this pattern, large Dogleg, with vintage USA made knives. This knife 'feels' like a USA made knife, meaning in-hand feel and 'vibes'.
Note: i am not disputing what Roger has said. I am just giving my experience with this knife.
I cannot see any evidence of other markings, so it looks to not have been marked with a country of origin.
H'mm, bit of a mystery knife. Someone must know the 'secret' of Clinton Cutlery Co.
kj

[gsmith7158]

Roland I don't know a thing about Clinton Cutlery Company and neither did I know about the underlined o. I do know however that the etch on that knife and the knife itself bears a striking resemblance to this empire I have except of course yours is a spear and mine is a clip.

[kootenay joe]

Greg your Empire does look very similar. Is it also 3 3/4" ? Does the secondary have a wrap around spring as mine does shown below in picture ?
Were there Clinton hardware stores ? i.e. who was getting these knives made ?
kj

[gsmith7158]

Roland mine doesn't have the wrap around spring. I see now yours has an extra handle pin too.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Roger stated that an underlined "0" in "Co", usually indicated foreign made. It is not an absolute.

Unless the knife predates 1891, and foreign made, it should have a country of origin, although that might vhave been etched and long gone or the importers might have ignored the requirements altogether.

It's a beautiful old knife, regardless its origins.

Charlie Noyes

[kootenay joe]

The other handle pins are in the same position so perhaps having one less pin is not too significant ? Same with wrap around spring, the lack of a match might not be significant ?
Likely there were other USA manufacturers who could have made 'Clint', or a Sheffield or Solingen manufacturer.
Could it be that the graphic artist who created the sketch for the etch was a recent immigrant from Britain, so he wrote to "Co." as he would in Britain ?
kj

[kootenay joe]

Quote: "Roger stated that an underlined "0" in "Co", usually indicated foreign made. It is not an absolute."
Yes, however it is the only clue we have to go on. No info on "Clinton Cutlery Co." has been found. I take Roger's observation to mean that manufacture outside of USA is one possibility.
It seems odd if no one here has or has seen Clinton Cutlery Co. knives before. Why so rare ?
kj

[cattaraugus57]

Here's a Clinton Cutlery Co Champagne Knife I just found..rough condition,one broken Blade too.. .
First time I've come across this Company....just thought I'd share it.

[just bob]

See if this helps;

https://auction.collectorcorkscrews.com ... p?id=23086



https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 1944926005

[knife7knut]

Don't know if this will be of any help but here is a pic of a Keen Kutter dogleg jack that I believe was made in Germany for them.The handles look very similar(pin placement;shield)as does the swedge on the master blade even though mine has been somewhat re-shaped.The visible pivot pin is a difference.
EDIT: BTW the backspring on the secondary blade wraps around as yours does.

[cattaraugus57]

Hmmm..very interesting Bob...Thank You!....Sure isn't much out there about Clinton.
Probably just a small time Cutlery Jobber?..doubtful they made Cutlery themselves...