Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

This forum is dedicated to the discussion and display of old knives. The rich history of all the many companies that made them through the early years will be found here as well as many fine examples of the cutlers art. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here!
Post Reply
NewToOldKnives
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2019 2:14 pm

Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

Post by NewToOldKnives »

Hello all,

First time poster and was hoping you guys may be able to help me. I've included some photos and what I've gathered about them, but there is one in particular I am having a heck of a time finding any information on.

Here they all are:
All 3.JPG
Iroquois
Iroquois 1.JPG
Iroquois 2.JPG
The first one was relatively easy to identify and get information on. It is an Iroquois made by Utica in New York sometime between 1920-1930 as best I can tell. If that's accurate, the knife is nearing 100 years old and still has sharp edges. Most of the blades have been sharpened and filed several times over their life which means either they saw a lot of use or my grandpas loved sharpening their knives. This is a common theme among the three. This is the best candidate for a knife that was passed from my great grandfather to my grandfather due to it's potential age.

Case 6244
Case 1.JPG
Case 2.JPG
Next up, a brand I know and love is a Case knife "6244". As with the Iroquois above it shows a lot of use and love. I'm excited to have it and hope to have it back in the field this year for dove and deer seasons.

Mystery Knife
Mystery 1.JPG
Mystery 2.JPG
Mystery 3.JPG
Lastly, and perhaps the most troubling of the bunch is this guy. I think it's a beautiful knife and will be glad to carry it as an every-day knife. There is a lot of graphite/discoloring down near where the maker's mark is, but it looks like "Walash" "Walasm" or "Walasn" based on my tired eyes. Continuing the common theme, the blade has seen a lot of use and maintenance and leaves me to believe that it, too, could be very old.

Anyways, if nothing else felt like sharing with some folks who may appreciate it, but if any of y'all can help me identify the last knife and give me any details about it I'd surely be greatful.

Take care,

NewToOldKnives
NewToOldKnives
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2019 2:14 pm

Re: Great Grandfather and Grandfather's Pocket Knives

Post by NewToOldKnives »

For what it's worth - it seems that there may have been a second blade on the mystery knife that was broken off at some point.
User avatar
Doc B
Posts: 3700
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:57 pm
Location: San Antonio

Re: Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

Post by Doc B »

Welcome to AAPK ::welcome:: Very nice old family knives! ::tu::
I'm no help on the mystery knife...but hopefully someone will come along and recognize the partial tang stamp.
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
NewToOldKnives
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2019 2:14 pm

Re: Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

Post by NewToOldKnives »

Doc B wrote:Welcome to AAPK ::welcome:: Very nice old family knives! ::tu::
I'm no help on the mystery knife...but hopefully someone will come along and recognize the partial tang stamp.
Thanks for the warm welcome, and yes. Very happy to be able to call these tools of history my own now.
User avatar
btrwtr
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 5478
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 11:53 am

Re: Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

Post by btrwtr »

Your mystery knife could be Wabash Cutlery Co. There might well be a good readable stamp on the broken blade.
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

Wayne

Please visit My AAPK store https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/btrwtr
User avatar
Mumbleypeg
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 15692
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:28 am
Location: Republic of Texas

Re: Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Welcome to AAPK. You are fortunate indeed to have such family heirlooms!

Your mystery knife may be by Wabash Cutlery. You can find more about wabash by using the search capability here on AAPK. Access search from the quick links drop down menu on the upper left of this page.

What you're calling graphite is probably "patina" , which is a grayish colored iron oxide that forms over time on carbon steel blades. Patina is harmless, natural, and can act as a rust preventative barrier. It could also be just a build up of "crud" from years of sharpening dust, pocket lint, oil residue, etc :wink:
You can gently remove some of it without damage to the knife by using the "lead" or graphite end of a sharpened pencil. Just the pencil lead on the area that has patina and then wipe it off with a soft cotton cloth. Also works well on light loose rust. With that process you may be able to read the stamp. ::tu::

Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.

If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.

When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.

https://www.akti.org/
User avatar
herbva
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 2074
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2018 7:18 pm
Location: The Old Dominion

Re: Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

Post by herbva »

Yes, welcome to AAPK. A closeup, clearer picture of the tang stamp (next to last picture will help). You could also try wiping some of the crud/corrosion off with WD-40. From what I can make out, it might be one of a number of 19th and early 20th century knife companies starting in "W".
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller

Herb
User avatar
Steve Warden
Posts: 6889
Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 4:18 pm
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ

Re: Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

Post by Steve Warden »

Some really sweet knives!!
Welcome to AAPK!!
Take care and God bless,

Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000

But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
User avatar
edge213
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 8456
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:48 am
Location: The Crossroads of America

Re: Mystery Knife from Great Grandfather (and a few others)

Post by edge213 »

I kinda thought it might be Wabash Cutlery also. If it is it should also have Terre Haute Ind., but I'm not seeing that.
Also, I haven't seen that pattern or shield on a Wabash. Not saying they didn't make the pattern or shield, just saying I've never seen one.
David
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
Post Reply

Return to “Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days”