Union cutlery knife

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Jporter1974
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Union cutlery knife

Post by Jporter1974 »

I purchased this knife a few days ago and picked it up this morning. Its small, about 3 inches, and is a split back whittler style with a pen and file. I understand that ka-bar was a brand for U.C.Co, but when was the ka-bar brand first used. I am having some trouble with identifying the manufacturing years for this knife, because the tang that is closest to the resemblance of this one has " Olcut " over the union cutlery co.
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RalphAlsip
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Re: Union cutlery knife

Post by RalphAlsip »

This info is also posted somewhere else on AAPK, but I couldn't find it easily, so here is a duplicate.

KA-BAR Knives and dating them

1898-Tideoute Cutlery Co. formed in Tiedoute, PA

1902-Factory purchased by Wallace Brown, Started in Tideoute, PA as Union Razor Company

Union Razor Company, Tideoute mark used 1902-1909 (Equivalent in Case language--Case Brothers, W. R. Case &SON)

Union Cutlery Co. Tideoute marked knives were only made 1898-to approx. 1912. (Equivalent in Case language--Case Brothers, W. R. Case & Sons)

Union Cutlery Co. with North American outline 1912-1923 (Equivalent in Case language: W. R. Case & Sons, Case Bradford PA)

Union Cutlery Co. Olean, NY 1912 first used.

OLCUT, and Keenwell also used first in the 20's.

After 1923--KA-BAR on main blade, and Union Cutlery Co. Olean, NY on either the back of the blade if a single blade, or on one of the smaller blades. These will be referred the Union mark. If I state the Union mark it means the blade will be stamped "Union Cutlery Co. Olean, NY" (Equivalent in Case Language: Case Tested)

After 1952 Union Cutlery Co. is no longer marked on the knives. (Equivalent in Case Language: XX and USA)

Kabar, USA was changed to in 1951

In the 70's a pattern number was added between the Kabar and the USA. (Equivalent in Case language: Case dots)
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zzyzzogeton
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Re: Union cutlery knife

Post by zzyzzogeton »

Great list, Ralph. The only change I'd put in your list is that model numbers on the blades started in the mid-60s... late 1966 or 1967. Cole National bought Kabar in 1966 and they are the ones who added model numbers, but it probably took a little while to ramp up to new stamps for the knives.

Is there something missing from the next to last statement about 1951?
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RalphAlsip
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Re: Union cutlery knife

Post by RalphAlsip »

zzyzzogeton wrote:Is there something missing from the next to last statement about 1951?
Here where I got the information from in the first place. https://www.jbrucevoyles.com/A88/A88%20Page%203.html

I imagine there is something missing, but I have no idea what it might be :) :oops:

Thanks for additional information - I will incorporate into my file. I happened to find this chart which might be a good supplement to the text.
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peanut740
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Re: Union cutlery knife

Post by peanut740 »

Jerry,my understanding was/is Union Cut Tideoute was only used 1909-12,and Union Razor Tideoute prior.From my experience Union Cut Tideoutes are the hardest mark to find,followed by the North American.Maybe Gunsil- Gene will chime in and share his expertise. He knows more about them than I. ::nod::
Roger
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tongueriver
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Re: Union cutlery knife

Post by tongueriver »

zzyzzogeton wrote: Is there something missing from the next to last statement about 1951?
I believe the intent was to suggest that in 1951 they went from capital letters to lower-case letters.
Jporter1974
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Re: Union cutlery knife

Post by Jporter1974 »

Thanks for the help on the knife and the tang chart breakdown.. ::tu:: I just erased a whole paragraph of useless questions because I looked at the knife tang and the " north america " image finally appeared in front of me ::doh:: so that chart breakdown helped significantly..thanks again ~Jon
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RalphAlsip
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Re: Union cutlery knife

Post by RalphAlsip »

It sounds like you already resolved the North America stamp question. Here is some additional information if interested.

viewtopic.php?f=78&t=46206&start=15#p628598
viewtopic.php?f=78&t=46206&start=60#p526273
Jporter1974
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Re: Union cutlery knife

Post by Jporter1974 »

Well Jerry, you have me reaching into my bag of not-smart questions ::hmm:: after reading the link I've discovered that I have made the mistake of making the United States the shape of North America ::dang:: so, would my knife be 12-20 or 20+. Keeping in mind that ka-bar isn't stamped on the blades anywhere, just on the shield. ~Jon
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