All About Pocket Knives

Reverand wrote: ↑Sat Oct 23, 2021 12:46 pm That.....

Thank you Scott.

I accidentally stumbled upon this one, AGAIN too late.
This fob/key ring pocket knife, in the center of the picture, is NOT mine. The picture is NOT mine. The picture is the seller's and has NOT been edited, altered, or enhanced by me, EXCEPT for size. I am posting the following pocket knife for posterity and as a reference. The tang stamp, if there is one, isn't shown. However, if it is the same tang stamp as the other pocket knives of the EXACT same pattern or style, then it should be the curved or arched style tang stamp and should say "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK, NJ", WITH the "USA" in the middle. I currently have eight of this EXACT pattern or style, "W & H" fob/key ring pocket knives. They ALL have the same style of tang stamp. It does have a single blade, it is all metal and should measure 2 1/16" closed. The main side says "THE STARR PIANO CO. - 630 SOUTH HILL ST. - LOS ANGELES." The other side is not shown, but is probably blank. If the owner want$ to part with it, PLEA$E PM me.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on the picture to ENLARGE.

Here are some NICE examples of another "POSSIBLE" role reversal. This is in regards to the question(s) posed by this topic or thread. The question is, what cutlery company or companies, made the pocket knives, or at the very least, had a hand in the process of manufacturing the pocket knives for The Whitehead & Hoag Company? This "POSSIBLE" role reversal is a Whitehead & Hoag product, made by Whitehead & Hoag, for a hardware company, but NOT for a cutlery manufacturer. In this case, for E. C. SIMMONS KEEN KUTTER. These items are pencil toppers. They measure 1 3/4" long and the "buttons" are 7/8" in diameter. Three of the four have the "Whitehead - Hoag Newark NJ" maker information printed around the bottom edges of the "buttons." NOW, does this vaguely suggest that E. C. SIMMONS KEEN KUTTER, may have somehow, somewhere along the line, been involved in procuring a cutlery company to manufacture pocket knives for Whitehead & Hoag? Maybe, maybe not. But my hunt, my quest for answers continues and must now also include, E. C. SIMMONS KEEN KUTTER.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:45 am Here are some NICE examples of another "POSSIBLE" role reversal. This is in regards to the question(s) posed by this topic or thread. The question is, what cutlery company or companies, made the pocket knives, or at the very least, had a hand in the process of manufacturing the pocket knives for The Whitehead & Hoag Company? This "POSSIBLE" role reversal is a Whitehead & Hoag product, made by Whitehead & Hoag, for a hardware company, but NOT for a cutlery manufacturer. In this case, for E. C. SIMMONS KEEN KUTTER. These items are pencil toppers. They measure 1 3/4" long and the "buttons" are 7/8" in diameter. Three of the four have the "Whitehead - Hoag Newark NJ" maker information printed around the bottom edges of the "buttons." NOW, does this vaguely suggest that E. C. SIMMONS KEEN KUTTER, may have somehow, somewhere along the line, been involved in procuring a manufacturer of pocket knives for Whitehead & Hoag? Maybe, maybe not. But my hunt, my quest for answers continues and must now also include, E. C. SIMMONS KEEN KUTTER.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

Cool find Skip. They look to be in excellent shape. It seems W&H Co hand their hands in a variety of things.

Papa Bones wrote: ↑Fri Oct 29, 2021 5:20 pm Cool.....

Thank you Smitty.
Whitehead & Hoag definitely covered a lot of ground.
I'd really like to find an actual order for pocket knives placed by Whitehead & Hoag.

This afternoon, these two pocket knives (from the same seller), became the latest additions to my collection and also to this topic or thread. They are both, "THE W & H CO - NEWARK, N.J.", 2 blades, single spring, 3 5/16" closed, 2 tang stamps each, advertising pocket knives. The four tang stamps, total, on these two particular pocket knives are the curved or arched style of tang stamps. There is NO "USA" in the middle of any of the tang stamps. The main side on each knife says, "EX-LAX - GIVES THE DRUGGIST A LIVING PROFIT." The other side on each knife says, "EX-LAX - A FRIEND IN NEED." These are the third and fourth pocket knives in this pattern or style that I've obtained. These are the second and third pocket knives that are advertising this particular product, business or company. Both pocket knives needed cleaning. One, a great deal more than the other. You can tell from the pictures which one is which. One has a broken spring and it also looks like it out-gassed at some point. Both knives are in the same position in each picture. I cleaned them both, took some pictures and here they are.
Captions, if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

***** I do NOT have any evidence, so far, needed to link ANY cutlery company with actually manufacturing, or at least being involved in the process of manufacturing, this particular pattern or style of pocket knife for Whitehead & Hoag. *****

Skip the backspring broke due to the outgassing.

I have had several that this happened to

Miller Bro's wrote: ↑Sun Oct 31, 2021 10:11 pm Skip.....

Thank you Dimitri.
I figured the broken spring was somehow related to the out-gassing.

I am posting the following picture for posterity and as a reference.
I found this on Google. Just this picture only, with no reference to any person, auction or sale.
This fob/key ring pocket knife is NOT mine. The picture is NOT mine. The picture belongs to ? and has NOT been edited, altered, or enhanced by me, EXCEPT for size. The tang stamp, if there is one, isn't shown. However, if it is the same tang stamp as the other pocket knives of the EXACT same pattern or style, then it should be the curved or arched style tang stamp and should say "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK, NJ", WITH the "USA" in the middle. I currently have eight of this EXACT pattern or style, "W & H" fob/key ring pocket knives. They ALL have the same style of tang stamp. It does have a single blade, it is all metal and should measure 2 1/2" closed. The main side says "Old Master - COFFEE" The other side is not shown, but is probably blank.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on the picture to ENLARGE.

***** NOTE *****
Last night, Halloween, I actually purchased the same Whitehead & Hoag fob/key ring pocket knife.
I doubt if it's the actual fob/key ring pocket knife that is pictured. But, it's the same pattern or style
fob/key ring pocket knife and it advertises the same product (Old Master Coffee). When I get it, I'll post it.

This eBay auction ended with a sale, but sadly, NOT to me.
I am posting the following pictures for posterity and for future reference. This is NOT my pocket knife. The pictures are NOT mine. These are the seller's pictures and they have not been edited, altered or enhanced, EXCEPT for size. It's a, "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK NJ", single blade, 2 7/32" closed, single tang stamp, all metal, fob/key ring pocket knife. The main side says "ALLEGHENY TRUST CO. - PITTSBURGH, PA." The other side says "NEW BUILDING OPENING - 1929"
If the new owner wants to part with it, please PM me ($$).
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

***** NOTE *****
I did however, manage to obtain two other, different, Whitehead & Hoag fob/key ring pocket knives.
So, not getting the pocket knife pictured below, isn't quite as painful. I'll post them when I receive them.

This afternoon, this advertising pocket knife became the latest addition to this topic or thread and to my collection. It is a "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK NJ", single blade, 2 1/2" closed, single tang stamp, all metal, fob/key ring pocket knife. The main side says "San Marto - COFFEE." The other side says nothing. The tang stamp is the curved or arched style and it has the "USA" in the center of the stamp. This is my first Whitehead & Hoag fob/key ring pocket knife advertising this particular company, business, event or product. It needed a little cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

I accidentally stumbled upon this one, AGAIN too late.
This fob/key ring pocket knife is NOT mine. The picture is NOT mine. The picture is the seller's and has NOT been edited, altered, or enhanced by me, EXCEPT for size. I am posting the following advertising pocket knife for posterity and as a reference. The tang stamp, if there is one, can't be seen. However, if there is a tang stamp, then it will "probably" be the same tang stamp as the other pocket knives of the EXACT same pattern or style. That would be either a "W & H" tang stamp or, as shown in previous posts under this topic or thread, a "ROBESON ShurEdge" tang stamp. There is also the possibility that it has a tang stamp that I haven't seen yet on this particular pattern or style of advertising pocket knife. It does have a single blade, it is all metal and should measure 3" closed. The main side says "LINEN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION - OF AMERICA." The other side is not shown, but is probably blank. If the owner wants to part with it, PLEASE PM me ($$).
The last three pictures are of the tang stamps on previously posted fob/key ring pocket knives, EXACT same pattern or style, under this topic or thread.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on any of the last three pictures to ENLARGE.

This afternoon, this advertising pocket knife became the latest addition to my collection and to this topic or thread. It is a "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK NJ", single blade, 2 1/2" closed, single tang stamp, all metal, fob/key ring pocket knife. The main side says "Old Master - COFFEE." The other side says nothing. The tang stamp is the curved or arched style and it has the "USA" in the center of the stamp. This is my first "W & H" fob/key ring pocket knife advertising this particular company, business, event or product. It needed very little cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

***** NOTE *****
This is NOT the Whitehead & Hoag, "Old Master COFFEE", advertising fob/key ring
pocket knife (with the chain), that I just recently posted and is pictured. *****

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:30 pm This afternoon, this advertising pocket knife became the latest addition to my collection and to this topic or thread. It is a "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK NJ", single blade, 2 1/2" closed, single tang stamp, all metal fob/key ring pocket knife. The main side says "Old Master - COFFEE." The other side says nothing. The tang stamp is the curved or arched style and it has the "USA" in the center of the stamp. This is my first "W & H" fob/key ring pocket knife advertising this particular company, business, event or product. It needed very little cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

***** NOTE *****
This is NOT the same Whitehead & Hoag, "Old Master COFFEE"
fob/key ring pocket knife that I just recently posted. *****

Nice, Skip, I like that one.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:38 pm Nice.....

Thank you Ike.

Just got this knife in the mail today, I have heard that Robeson and/or Boker made knives for this hardware firm: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ. Really heavy cattle knife with solid nickel silver scales, brass lined. Will oil it knock the rust off and clean inside the letters on the scales and that's about it. Shame about the chip in the punch, it has bluing still on it, doesn't look like a Robeson punch to me so maybe its Boker made knife by deduction.

Pile Driver wrote: ↑Wed Nov 10, 2021 6:04 pm Just.....

Whitehead & Hoag.
According to GOINS:
"c 1870-1959 Whitehead & Hoag was founded in 1870. They went out of business about 1959. This was an advertising specialties firm; the knives were made for them by a variety of cutlery manufacturers."

Thank you for posting it.
NICE "W & H" advertising pocket knife.
First time that I've seen this particular pattern or style for a "W & H" pocket knife.
Two tang stamps also.
If you ever want to sell it, PM me PLEASE! ($$)

This afternoon, this advertising pocket knife became the latest addition to this topic or thread and to my collection. It is a "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK, NJ", single blade, 2 1/16" closed, all metal, fob/key ring pocket knife. The tang stamp is the curved or arched style WITH the "USA" in the middle. This is NOT my first "W & H" fob/key ring pocket knife in this pattern or style. But, this is my first "W & H" fob/key ring pocket knife that is advertising this particular company, business or product, etc. The main side says "BRADFORD COMMANDERY - K. T. No 4. - BIDDEFORD, MAINE." The other side says "ST. PAUL COMMANDERY - DOVER, N.H." It has the large "KT" logo also. Per the seller, "KT" means, represents or stands for, the fraternal organization, Knights Templar. The blade rides a little high in the saddle. This does not stress me out. It needed some very minor cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

Here are, in alphabetical order, the (updated) states that are represented by most,
but not all, of the advertising on these "W & H" pocket knives (as of this posting).
Also, there is one advertised foreign country (as of this posting).
These are MY posted pocket knives that ONLY have the "W & H" tang stamp(s).

1. California
2. Illinois
3. Indiana
4. Maine
5. Massachusetts
6. Michigan
7. New Hampshire
8. New Jersey
9. New York
10. Ohio
11. Pennsylvania
12. Washington
13. West Virginia
14. Montreal, Canada

Pretty cool, Skip, I am going to go back through this thread and refresh my memory.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Nov 13, 2021 1:30 am Pretty.....

Thank you Ike.

I am posting the following picture, the only picture, of this "W & H" advertising pocket knife for posterity and for future reference. This is NOT my pocket knife. The picture is NOT mine. This is the seller's(?) picture and it has not been edited, altered or enhanced, EXCEPT for size. It is a, "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK NJ", single blade, 2 7/32" closed, single tang stamp, all metal, fob/key ring pocket knife. The tang stamp, is the curved or arched style of tang stamp, WITH "USA" in the center. The main handle side says "INT'L ENCAMPMENT - 131--I.O.O.F." (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) What is on the other handle side, if anything, is unknown.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Tue Nov 16, 2021 10:00 am I am posting the following picture, the only picture, of this "W & H" advertising pocket knife for posterity and for future reference. This is NOT my pocket knife. The picture is NOT mine. This is the seller's(?) picture and it has not been edited, altered or enhanced, EXCEPT for size. It is a, "THE W & H CO - USA - NEWARK NJ", single blade, 2 7/32" closed, single tang stamp, all metal, fob/key ring pocket knife. The tang stamp, is the curved or arched style of tang stamp, WITH "USA" in the center. The main handle side says "INT'L ENCAMPMENT - 131--I.O.O.F." (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) What is on the other handle side, if anything, is unknown.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

Wow Skip, I've been away a couple of weeks and you having the luck of the Irish. Catching up on the posts and you've come up with some good additions for sure. Great finds.

Papa Bones wrote: ↑Thu Nov 18, 2021 9:03 pm Wow.....

Thank you, Smitty.

I like that Odd Fellows knife, Skip, nice find!!

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 1:02 am I.....

Thank you, Ike.
It's NOT my pocket knife.