Old Cutler

[keithw]

Hi all,
I have another newbie ID question. I bought this knife (cheaply) at a junk / antique shop and haven't had much luck gettting info on it. I bought it mainly for the handles that I really like. From what I can tell the Old Cutler trademark belongs to Colonial, and I've seen a few newer ones. But, I haven't found any older Old Cutler knives for sale. The tang on the main blade is marked Old Cutler on the front and 433 on the reverse. The tang on the pen blade has Patent 3877356. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Keith

[El Lobo]

You're correct about it being a Colonial brand. Looks like jigged Delrin handles...so sometime after most companies began using Delrin in the early '60s. Here is the website with some current offerings under that branding.....

http://www.colonialknifecompany.com/P_oldcutler.htm

You might try calling or emailing Steve Paolantonio (Contact Us... [email protected]), maybe he could give you a little more information.

Bill

[Gr8Scout]

Yes, you are right, Old Cutler is a Colonial brand. One reason you may not find many older ones is... well there aren't many to find. These knives seemed to be in production just a short while, from my old catalogs I judge maybe just in the early eighties.

Colonial used lots of names on thier knives, besides their own. "Ranger" Lockbacks with the LB prefix on the tang have confused some novice Schrade collectors. Also used was 'Anvil' And 'Topper'. And they did lots of private label branding. I've never seen an Old Cutler with that handle on it, only yellow ones.

Was a series of knives called 'The Real McCoy' made by Colonial, nicely packaged in a wood box.

That's just about all I can tell you about Colonials, hope it helps.

Phil

[Gr8Scout]

Apparently, Bill and I answered at the same time. Following his link, I see that once again Colonial is using the Old Cutler brand.

Hey, Bill, remember when the rep from Colonial visited us in the 'other' forum? I still haven't bought one of the newer issued from the company.

Phil

[El Lobo]

Howdy Phil,

Thanks for filling in a little more information.

Here is a Trapper I once did a short review on. A little steep for MSRP, but would be a very fine $35-$40 knife.

Bill

[keithw]

Thanks everyone for the info! I'm really enjoying the forum. Hopefully as I learn a little more, I will be able to help also.
Thanks again,
Keith

[jonet143]

the books say colonial started using"old cutler" im 1978.

[Gr8Scout]

I went ahead and ordered one of the Real McCoys I mentioned above. Got it today. Nice little cedar box, was sealed in plastic, smells like a Gerbil cage. As you can see, the packaging is nice. A hard Arkansas stone glued in place inside. The knife rests in a little grooved out area.
Paperwork identifies this as I recalled, 'McCoy Knife Company" but of course although it says it nowhere, it was made by Colonial. I might email the company and see when these were made, or sold, exactly.

The knife: A little 3 1/4" 3 blader. Finely finished wood handles. 'McCoy Classic" etched on the master blade. Tang stamp is: MT. IDA, ARKANSAS. Backspring on that blade is not real strong, it is better on the other two. Brass liners, overall fit and finish is OK. Just a neat little set that would have made a nice gift for someone who wasn't as particular about their knives as we here are.

A nice thing about Colonial... they could make something like this for anyone who could pay for it, and put them in the knife business for not a whole lotta money.

Phil

[jonet143]

girbil cage very descriptive phil and a great knife and box. besides, it's the real McCoy!

[El Lobo]

Hey Phil,

After a little snooping around the 'net, it appears as though the parent company (B & C Abrasives) likely made that stone included in the box. Seems as though that appears to be their primary business. Just a little info in case it might be of interest.

Bill

[colonial knife]

Colonial Knife manufactured the Old Cutler series during the 1970's. Adrian Harris of the famed "Colonel Coon" used several of the the Old Cutlers under his brand of Colonel Coon knives. The Old Cutler brand was introduce to compete against the Schrade "Old Timer". The Old Cutler brand was the top end for Colonial Knife and did not prove to be as sucessful as the Colonial "Ranger" brand-mid priced stockmans knives.
Suggested retial of the Old Cutlers ranged from 12.99 for the smallest 3 blade to 19.99 for the 530 and 533 Large 3 blade stockmans knife, keep in mind that the suggested retail listed are from the 1970's.
Hope this helps,
Steve Paolantonio
Colonial Knife
www.colonialknifecompay.net
toll free 866-421-6500

[gino]

Here is one for ya. Looking to trade it too so if anyones interested PM me.

[knifeaholic]

Colonial Knife manufactured the Old Cutler series during the 1970's. Adrian Harris of the famed "Colonel Coon" used several of the the Old Cutlers under his brand of Colonel Coon knives. The Old Cutler brand was introduce to compete against the Schrade "Old Timer". The Old Cutler brand was the top end for Colonial Knife and did not prove to be as sucessful as the Colonial "Ranger" brand-mid priced stockmans knives.
Suggested retial of the Old Cutlers ranged from 12.99 for the smallest 3 blade to 19.99 for the 530 and 533 Large 3 blade stockmans knife, keep in mind that the suggested retail listed are from the 1970's.
Hope this helps,
Steve Paolantonio
Colonial Knife
http://www.colonialknifecompay.net
toll free 866-421-6500

Mr. Paolantonio;

Great to hear from you on this forum and welcome to AAPK. There are often questions about older Colonial Knife Co knives out here, and a lot of people would love to hear about Colonial's current product line as well.

[colonial knife]

Colonial Knife manufactured the Old Cutler brand to compete with the Schrade "Old Timer". The first "Old Cutler" was manufactured by Colonial Knife during the 1970's. Suggested retail between 12.99 for the small 3 blade stockmans and 17.99 for the large three blade stockmans.
hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Steve Paolantonio
Colonial
401-421-6500
www.colonialknifecompany.net

[colonial knife]

I answered the question twice.
sorry,
as far as being available to answer questions about Coloinal, I look forward to it.
Respectfully,
Steve
Colonial

[colonial knife]

for those looking for the Colonial knife product line, please visit the web site at www.colonialknifecorp.com
or e-mail us at [email protected]
or me directly at [email protected]

thanks,
Steven Paolantonio

[jerryd6818]

The Old Cutler brand was the top end for Colonial Knife and did not prove to be as successful as the Colonial "Ranger" brand -mid priced stockmans knives.
Hope this helps,
Steve Paolantonio
Colonial Knife
http://www.colonialknifecompay.net
toll free 866-421-6500

So what I'm hearing is this knife was made by Colonial?? I've never carried it but it seems to be a very well made knife and is a smooth operator.

[Luckypaul777]

This 4-blade is the only Old Cutler that I have owned. I think it was made in the 1960s or early 70s; had it customized with Mammoth bark ivory.

Paul

[trail]

Well, rather than start a new thread what say we revive this old one that started in 2007? I just picked up this knife on ebay because I didn't have an Old Cutler in my collection and the price was right. It's a clear step above your average Colonial, approaching the quality of a Schrade or Camillus from the era. The jigged delrin doesn't hold a candle to that on a nice Camillus, but the shield is nicely inlaid and overall construction is good. The lines of the knife are completely classic and traditional, with nicely radiused bolsters, serpentine frame and standard blade configuration. A fine old example from the fading days of the American mass market knife industry.

[gringo]

here is a colonial i picked up yesterday...two bucks...lol...dollar an inch.

tang is colonial over prov. r.i.

[chetr1200c]

i have the very same old cutler as luckypaul,[ 3 posts back], only it is still with the original yellow scales..never used, just like it came from the factory. that mamoth scale is great. but i love my original, and it is colonial tang stamped on the hawks bill blade, old cutler on the big clip balde and patent numbers on the small spey.
i really like the fit and finish of this knife since i first bought it years and years ago...still sits in the middle of my knife curio with some of the more expensive and rare pieces...

[Jethro Bodine]

For the visually impaired:

Old Cutler

Cutlery, as a general term , refers to some of the earliest utensils crafted and used by man - including knives, forks and spatulas. Traditionally, we associate cutlery with knives (cutting instruments) having either a straight or folding blade. Flint,bronze,stone, iron and copper knife artifacts prove they were in use from at least 1500 B.C. For cutting, hunting and defense, a well-formed knife has been one of man's most prized and primary possessions. Old Cutler knives are carefully forged and crafted to meet not only our exacting manufacturing standards but, more importantly, your performance needs.

Old Cutler a name famous for quality.

[bigdaddys8ball]

i have a couple of them old cutler knives ill dig them up and post pics later

[bigdaddys8ball]

here is the two lod cutlers that i have

[tallguy606]

Well, I just learned from this thread that my NIB The Real McCoy 4-inch stockman that I bought in Arkansas 20 years ago was NOT made in Arkansas after all, but by Colonial. The insert flyer with my knife gives the strong impression is it wholly made in Arkansas. Either way, my knife is well made and looks like it would make a great working knife. I paid around $21 for it , as I recall.