Robeson 743215

The first Robeson knives were imported by Millard Robeson from England and Germany exclusively. This continued from 1979 until 1896 when Robeson began manufacturing knives in the United States. Since inception, the company has gone through several reorganizations & eventually ended up as a Queen Cutlery brand.
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Robeson 743215

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

I have long known that Robeson produced a couple of knife patterns like this, as such were illustrated in collector books by Dewey and Lavonna Ferguson and Bruce Voyles and they were in the catalog reprints that David Clark published.

However, I have never seen one until this was listed on EBay last week.

It’s not in the best of condition, as the two knife blades are down about 10 to 15% and the spring for the scissors is absent, as they so often are on older knives.

However, all four implements open and close with authoritative snaps and the pearl handles are intact, except for a small crack at the upper pin on the backside, lower end.

The tweezers and what appears to be a genuine tortoise toothpick are still present.

I put what I thought an appropriate bid and won it for $25.00 less than that.

I think this is a really rare pattern. Other than an actual photograph in Bruce Voyles’ book, this is the only one I have ever seen.

Tang stamp is ROBESON / ShurEdge/ ROCHESTER, and the pattern number is 743215.

The knife is 3” long.

Charlie
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by TPK »

That's a real beauty! Nice find, Congrats! ::handshake:: ::super_happy::

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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by philco »

Excellent find Charlie. ::tu::

I suspect the scissor spring would be replaceable if you were so inclined.
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

I know a gentleman that could make quick work of replacing that spring, but he has retired and will not accept any further work.

Talked to him in Lexington last August about turning two broken pearl handled multi-blade knives into one and he would not do it.

I asked him if he knew of anyone else and he said he was the only person that could, but he was retired.

So, there you go.

Charlie
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by FRJ »

Congratulation on that very nice knife, Charlie.
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by 1967redrider »

::hmm:: I wonder if a SAK replacement spring would work, Charlie? In enlarging your picture, it looks like similar mounting.
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

A SAK spring would be out of place and not appear vintage.

The spring should look like this one, which is, itself, a replacement, but appropriate for the time.

I believe SAK springs are "V" shaped.

Charlie
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by peanut740 »

Charlie ::tu::
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by wlf »

Glad you got it Charlie. At this point, we appreciate things even if they aren’t perfect.

Beautiful pearl.
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by Greenman »

RobesonsRme.com wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 2:47 am A SAK spring would be out of place and not appear vintage.

The spring should look like this one, which is, itself, a replacement, but appropriate for the time.

I believe SAK springs are "V" shaped.

Charlie
Victorinox did not use the wishbone-shaped springs until 1975. A pre-1975 Victorinox SAK spring would likely work in your Robeson and would appear vintage. The last I knew, a few of these early-style springs were still included in the Victorinox spring replacement tool kit. I’m not at home at the moment—and won’t be for at least a few more weeks—but I believe that I may still have several of these single-leaf springs left in one of my Victorinox repair kits. The spring that I’m referring to is on the far left in the attached photo.

https://sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Scissors
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Re: Robeson 743215

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

With a little alteration, that might work.

I appreciate your efforts and await your next post.

Charlie
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