American Knife Co. Winsted, Ct.

[wlf]

So, is John's knife a different company? Nice old barlow John.

I agree Dan,that's what I saw, looks like the jigging on the knife Joe posted last year. Both nice Joe,I like the brown color. It looks like the teeth on the jigging machine were sharper on the darker knife.

[knife7knut]

Ray do you mean "American Knife Co." became "American Winsted" ?
kj

Just checked this post out again and since I first posted I found an American Knife Co. Winsted CT at the Wolverine Knife Collectors show. I never knew this company existed;the only ones I was familiar with was American Knife Plymouth CT and American Shear & Knife Co. I apologize for my ignorance on the subject.
Here is the one I acquiredI wonder who Esther Palmer was?

[FRJ]

Sorry I haven't checked on this thread recently.
Thank you for all the contributions and comments to the thread.

Ray, thank you for posting your new camper here.
Nice knife.

[FRJ]

Here is another American Knife Co., Winsted. 3 3/8" closed.

You never know when you're going to need a caplifter.

[Mason]

Nice collection of "American Knife Co." models going, Joe.

[FRJ]

Thank you, Neal.

[American_knife_wct]

My grandfather Dominic Russo was part owner of this company. I believe he was one of the original founders. He was an American soldier in WW1 so the company starting in 1919 makes sense. The company was located in Winsted, CT. In 1948 it was bought by Bokar. The company then was located on Lake Street in Winsted. He was the plant superintendent for Boker. Water power was obtained from the spillway of Highland Lake. In 1955 an unprecedented rain storm caused Highland Lake to overflow . The company was destroyed.

I have very few knives. Most in poor shape. I think the best ones were given away or sold over the years. From what I have seen, only the main blade carries the company name. Some are labeled only John Primble Belknap.

[FRJ]

Thank you for a very nice first post, American_knife_wct.
Welcome to the forum.
That is a great family history to American Knife Co. in Winsted. Thank you for sharing it.
I didn't know there was a Boker connection with this company.
When you say you have "very few knives", are you referring to Mr. Dominic Russo's knives? Family knives.
What is the association with John Primble Belknap?
Can you show us some pictures of your knives?
Thank you again. We hope to hear more from you.

[American_knife_wct]

Yes, the knives are family knives. They are the only momentos we have. I will post some pictures. I assume the company was also making knives for John Primble Belknap. I am going to continue to work on the company history. Unfortunately my father has passed. My grandfather passed in 1957.

[FRJ]

Sorry for the loss of your father and grandfather.
We look forward to more of your posts and about American Knife history.
We would love to see some pictures too.
Thanks.

[LongBlade]

Welcome to AAPK American Knife wct ... Thanks for posting your family history connected to American Knife - and sorry for the loss of your grandfather and father... just curious but did your grandfather work at Empire Knife Co? The little bit of history for the company suggests American Knife Winsted was started by disgruntled Empire employees. Nonetheless look forward to seeing any knives or associated items (cutlery boxes or paperwork etc) for American Knife!! BTW - It was interesting to me (and you noted this as well) that they only stamped one blade, usually the master, with the company name... it wasn’t until I saw multiple knives made by them that this became clear - prior to that I never knew if the knives were all original...

[American_knife_wct]

I am not sure if he worked at Empire. I am trying to get more information. A brief history that I found elsewhere on the internet: Company duration:1919-1955 . It was re-named the Kendal Mfg. Co. in 1948 and in the same year the name was changed again to Bokar Mfg. Co. In 1955 the Great Flood hit Connecticut and the entire business was washed away. Supposedly the cost to re-build it wasn't justified and they went out of business. I have read that the American Knife Co. of Winsted was the last Connecticut pocketknife manufacturer to close it’s doors. You may already have read some of this history yourself.

[American_knife_wct]

I have also read about a relocation in 1948 but am unsure about this.

[American_knife_wct]

I have also read about a relocation in 1948 but am unsure about this.

[FRJ]

American_knife_wct, My information is from Goin's encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings.
It states that the business moved to a new location in 1947.
In 1948 the name changed to "Kendal Manufacturing Company".
In the same year the name was changed to "Bukar Manufacturing Company".
The business continued until 1955.
The book mentions, Dominick, John and Felix Russo.

[American_knife_wct]

I have further information from a relative:
The company was started in October 1919 as the American Cutlery Company in Winsted, CT
by Dominic (my grandfather), Christopher, Felix and John Russo. Also Mike LaGamba. All were related. The original location was at the former BJ Harrison Chair Company on Boyd Street. I need to do further research to piece all of this together.

[American_knife_wct]

I know that “Bukar” is not correct. It was the H. Bokar Company.

[FRJ]

Thank you, American_knife_wct, Keep it coming.

[American_knife_wct]

Need to do a little more research at the local historical society.

[FRJ]

Need to do a little more research at the local historical society.

Great, American_knife_wct. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Do you live in the area?

[American_knife_wct]

Yes

[WillyCamaro]

Welcome to AAPK Ak!
It's great to read this kind of family history.
Sadly my family doesn't have such a rosy past,
bootleggers who worked for the mob...
Willy

[JACK OF ALL TIRADES]

Hi from ct. up in Torr. often

[American_knife_wct]

I was given a copy of the original legal letter that founded the American Knife Company on Boyd Street in Winsted, CT. It is dated Saptember 16, 1919. Nine partners signed this notarized letter. The names as signed are Domenico Alberti, Luigi Petrunti, Rocco Petrunti, Felix Russo, Domenico Russo (my grandfather), Christofaro Russo (my uncle), John Russo, Domenico Colavecchio, and Felix Permanente.

Still want to do more research.

[FRJ]

I'm so glad you responded again, American_knife_wct.
That is great information and I hope you get to post some more.
By the way, I life in Terryville.

Thank you for the added information.