All About Pocket Knives

Picked up another Wilbert awhile back in relic condition,but couldn't pass it by for $3.Radically sharpened and pen blade broken with a piece missing out of the mark side handle.Did a quick repair to the handle and cleaned up the blades a bit.Like the size of it and wish it was in better shape.

K7N: Repair is decent looking. Is that epoxy or a piece of bone? J.O'.

Thanks Danno and peanut. Yes peanut it is 4 1/4 and a handful. Probably my favorite knife I own right now.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:09 pm K7N: Repair is decent looking. Is that epoxy or a piece of bone? J.O'.

It is a piece of bone that isn't quite the right color.Sometimes you can darken the color by immersing it in coffee grounds for a few days.

It looks good. Thanks for the coffee tip. J.O'.

I sure hope one of you fine folks here acquired this fine looking specimen couldn't compete check out soon enough...and it was gone

Gone: Here's it's cousin with a sheep's and spay. 3-7/8". Wouldn't take 3 times that for it! Sorry you missed it. Hope the seller stops opening 2 blades on one spring before he ships it! J.O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 3:10 pm Gone: Here's it's cousin with a sheep's and spay. 3-7/8". Wouldn't take 3 times that for it! Sorry you missed it. Hope the seller stops opening 2 blades on one spring before he ships it! J.O'.

Very nice... thanks for sharing it! well folks, my hunt continues

Here’s the Wilbert that was showing the Diner Crew this morning . Purchased it and a few other hard to find pieces in Janesville at the Badger knife show . Great Crowd ,a lot of variety of stuff . This Bone covered piece is 3 &3/8 inches long closed and the center liner protrudes a quarter inch beyond that . It doesn’t look like it’s been bent or used as a pry bar . Half stops no wobble ,never buffed . The shield is not centered but wasn’t a deal breaker. There’s no Chicago in the stamp . Posted the Straight Razor just for the heck of it . Have noticed the razors seem to all have Chicago in the stamp . What Company would’ve made this old Automotive type knife and what would’ve been the pattern name or number ? And would 1909 to 1915 be a close date of Manufacture ? Appreciate any feedback.
Take care

JP, that is one dandy knife! Wish I had it, and you had an even nicer one. My guess is it was made by Napanoch, they made most Wilberts. The jigging looks just like the Wilbert electrician (TL-29) I let get away. I’d call yours a camper’s knife due to the can-opener/caplifter blade. The acetylene wrench cut-out was often a feature of camper/scout knife’s at the same time it was likely made. JMO

Regardless what you call it, it’s wonderful.

Ken

That is a great knife. What year is the Sears catalog you have there?

Ken , Thank for the kind Words, it’s a great knife . The Camper/ Scout thing never entered my mind . That Wilbert Electrician knife is one haven’t seen before .
James , this is a 1908 . Have a 1902 also ,very interesting reads .

Thanks JP. I am in the middle of researching Napanoch and the early relationships with Sears. It is extremely interesting.
Jay

JAMESC41001 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 9:31 pm Thanks JP. I am in the middle of researching Napanoch and the early relationships with Sears. It is extremely interesting.
Jay

Here’s the 1902 pics from the Sears Catalog. Not sure it helps you ?

Thanks JP, that’s the one I have. The language that they use where they say that they have their own manufacturing in New York is particularly interesting. They go on to say the factory is managed by one of the best and largest cutlery manufacturers. If you look at the description for the saddle horn it says this is a brand new pattern. That is of real interest. If you remember 1902 is when WR Case started a jobbing company. For a short time it was WR Case and Son not son’s. They offered a saddle horn but at the time many of their knives were being made by Napanoch. Nap started making knives in 1900 but did not become Napanoch knife co. Until 1905 and incorporated 1909. Here are some pics.

Thanks for posting the catalog pages. Contains some interesting information and advice all knife owners should know!

Ken

Here's a Wilbert cattleman's with a worn stamp on the main. All I can make out is a line with USA under it. It's a clear straight line on the sheep's foot blade. What was most likely a spey has been reshaped with a not very successful nail nick added. It takes a pair of pliers to open it. The sheep's foot has the model number 633207 on the pile side, and is tight and snappy, while the main has good snap and just noticeable wobble. No half stops. Both blades, though worn, are sharp as sin. The handle's worm groove bone and bowtie medallion make make this quite a nice knife to hold and look at. It has brass scales and liners.

Does anyone have a guess who made this one, Napanock?

No idea who made it, but that is a fine old warrior!

Very nice old knives being shown.. ..just don't see many Wilbert's these days. I'd like to add this Sunfish to the lot, have no idea who made it but its tight and snappy and some pretty unique worn groove handles. Has iron bolsters with brass liners and pins, got very sharp with little effort so decent steel.

Very nice Bob

Very nice Napanoch made Wilbert toenail Bob.

Thank you Bill and Roger..
Nice to know its a Napanoch.

Awesome knife, great to see your post, Bob.

Nice beefy knife Bob!

Picked up this early Wilbert Cutlery co fixed blade yesterday .
8 3/4” long . Not sure if this is German or American ?

Thanks for looking .
Mike