I hadn’t heard of this one.....

[OSCAR]

Saw a USA made knife I haven’t heard of before. I saw it at a flea market, and it looked very much like a Bear rosewood handled stockman. The tang stamp was McCoy, Mt. Ida Arkansas. The vendor was asking $45.00 for it in used but good condition. Not knowing what they are valued at, I didn’t get it.
Anyone have any info on this brand? I’d appreciate it. Here is a link to their website.

http://www.mccoyknifecompany.com/#2712

[deo-pa]

Here is a Bladeforums post that talks a little about McCoy knives plus another Arkansas brand: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/her ... c.1561972/

Dennis

[kootenay joe]

Made by Camillus. I have a "Real McCoy" knife somewhere here.
kj

[dlr110]

I have one McCoy Arkansas small 3 blade knife and it is the only one I've ever seen. Can't say that this one is a very good knife and I think it was thrown in with a couple of other knives I bought.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Made by Camillus. I have a "Real McCoy" knife somewhere here.
kj

This must be something different than the one you have, as Camillus is long gone and McCoy is still in Mt. Ada, Arkansas.

[kootenay joe]

Is there really a McCoy knife factory ?
I think McCoy is like Moore Maker, they have knives made for them with their own name on the knives.
However i have never been to Arkansas to see for myself. I am repeating what i have previously seen posted, that Camillus made knives for McCoy.
If someone is good with Google Earth, the McCoy place of business in Mt. Ada could be seen. If it shows what looks to be a factory or large shop, i would have to change my opinion.
kj
Edit to add: if you go to their website and read "About Us", they say it is a family owned business, but nothing about making knives. They say in 2009 new patterns were introduced. Likely this is because after Camillus closed in 2007 they had to find another knife manufacturer.

[deanmm56]

For all of those inquiring minds out there, here is what I found with a web search :

http://mccoyknifecompany.com/About_Us.html

Seems legit !!

[kootenay joe]

Quote: "Seems legit !!"
Yes it is a legitimate business. Their business is not manufacturing knives. If they made knives they would clearly say so in the "About Us".
Whether in USA, Britain or Germany, most knives are contract knives. The name on the tang or shield is not the name of the manufacturer.
Camillus for example made many millions of knives but less than half were branded "Camillus". Over 50% were knives they made for other businesses and the name of those 'businesses' is what is on the knives. It is just how the knife business works and it has been so for over 100 years.
kj

[cody6268]

I believe today's are badge-engineered Bear and Sons. Same with Col. Littleton.

[OSCAR]

They may be made by Bear as the one I saw looked IDENTICAL to the Bear rosewood stockman,,,

[Byrd]

Here you go, it's the real McCoy! I've had this for years. My parents brought it back from a trip to Arkansas. I've no idea who made it and I've never carried it but it seems well made.

[kootenay joe]

I have looked for my "Real McCoy" knife but cannot find it. I think it got sold on ebay. Was in a nice wooden box.
kj

[royal0014]

I believe today's are badge-engineered Bear and Sons. Same with Col. Littleton.

winner winner chicken dinner !!

I remember one of the times I attended the B&S factory sales seeing a few of the Col. Littleton stamped knives in the piles. Small lockbacks as I recall.

And on the Mccoy home page, everything in that dealer case screams B & S's ...

[bighomer]

Here you go, it's the real McCoy! I've had this for years. My parents brought it back from a trip to Arkansas. I've no idea who made it and I've never carried it but it seems well made.

Byrd yours and mine was made by Colonial.

[Byrd]

Yep. I think you got it. They could be twins! I might carry mine for a while to see how it performs. I've always liked it, just never got around to carrying it.

[bighomer]

I've toted mine a few times. They have the same patent #.

[just bob]

Here's an old thread on this and also an old ad.

viewtopic.php?t=9543

[OSCAR]

Pretty old I’d guess from the prices. The more I see them, the more I think they are made by Bear & Son.

[Byrd]

The ad is dated Christmas 1995, so they've been around for a while. Mine is about that old. Wish I could get them for $9.95! I think they're pretty well made. Not top shelf but a good EDC. I need to tote mine for a while and see how it does.

[bighomer]

I'd bet bear and son or maybe utica are making them now. My wife and I went out there in I think '98 that is when I bought mine at a big general store in Mt. Ida. For sure made by Colonial.

[kootenay joe]

Most of the knives in that add (but not lock back ?) i think were made by Camillus. Note handle pins. Bear knives usually are glued on with only spring pivot pin showing.
When did Bear start making knives ?
kj

[cody6268]

Most of the knives in that add (but not lock back ?) i think were made by Camillus. Note handle pins. Bear knives usually are glued on with only spring pivot pin showing.
When did Bear start making knives ?
kj

According to their website, 1991. Before that, it was a Parker factory.

https://bearandsoncutlery.com/index.php ... egory=Main

[Byrd]

That was an interesting read. Bear & Son knives have never been on my radar. Perhaps I should watch for them on my knife hunting expeditions. Are they considered a quality knife? The prices on their website would indicate so.

[kootenay joe]

At least up until recently Bear & Sons knives have not been considered to be of top quality and very few people collect them. However with Schrade, Camillus and Canal Street Cutlery all closed down Bear might see this as an opportunity to market a higher quality knife.
If you want to buy a knife to use i am sure a Bear knife would be fine.
kj

[Byrd]

With so many knives being outsourced to other countries this would be a great time for them to market traditional pocket knives made in the USA. If the market and competition would bear it that is. That might not be possible though because I think most knife buyer's aren't collectors but users. Names like Schrade are familiar to them so that would be their go to knife.

From the prices on their website they would be competing with companies like Case which is a familiar name. That being said retail price is probably lower than MSRP. It's that way with Buck. MSRP on their website for a basic 110 is something like $75, but you can buy them at Wal-Mart for $35. Pretty tough competition!