Union cutlery knife
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Union cutlery knife
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.
- RalphAlsip
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Re: Union cutlery knife
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)
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)
- zzyzzogeton
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Re: Union cutlery knife
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?
Is there something missing from the next to last statement about 1951?
- RalphAlsip
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Re: Union cutlery knife
Here where I got the information from in the first place. https://www.jbrucevoyles.com/A88/A88%20Page%203.htmlzzyzzogeton wrote:Is there something missing from the next to last statement about 1951?
I imagine there is something missing, but I have no idea what it might be
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.
- peanut740
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Re: Union cutlery knife
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.
Roger
- tongueriver
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Re: Union cutlery knife
I believe the intent was to suggest that in 1951 they went from capital letters to lower-case letters.zzyzzogeton wrote: Is there something missing from the next to last statement about 1951?
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Re: Union cutlery knife
Thanks for the help on the knife and the tang chart breakdown.. 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 so that chart breakdown helped significantly..thanks again ~Jon
- RalphAlsip
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Re: Union cutlery knife
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
viewtopic.php?f=78&t=46206&start=15#p628598
viewtopic.php?f=78&t=46206&start=60#p526273
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Re: Union cutlery knife
Well Jerry, you have me reaching into my bag of not-smart questions after reading the link I've discovered that I have made the mistake of making the United States the shape of North America 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