All About Pocket Knives

A big thanks to the folks who show knives and monitor this thread and take the time to share knowledge and experience and answer questions.

This time I am curious about a Hibbard Spencer & Bartlett large cigar (cattle blades) and who might have made it and when. My thought on when is around 1930 and thought on maker is Utica or maybe Ulster. I'm basing the thought on who made it more by eliminating usual suspects like NYK rather than specific insights toward Utica or Ulster. An old HSB catalog I reviewed did not have this pattern pictured, but in addition to the HSB knives there were many pages of Ulster knives pictured. I would be very grateful any insight that can be provided even if this is not a "little sheffield" knife.

Pictures below. The knife is 4 1/4" closed and 5/8" thick - it is burly and heavy. None of the blades have half-stops. All blades are marked and there is no pattern number marked.

Sorry I can’t help with ID Jerry but wanted to say what a beautiful jumbo knife ... I have one jumbo cigar jack (a Miller Bros) and the heft of it is really only realized once I had one it in hand ... BTW - your photos are always excellent Jerry and do the knives great justice!! It looks like you use a light box and camera? (which I prefer to a scanner as well though some folks get nice photos with the scanner as well)...

Lee, thank you for kind words regarding the knife and the pictures. I was able to find pictures or your Miller Bros large cigar jack and it is a fantastic example. The screws (instead of pins) attaching the scales to frame are classic Miller Bros.

LongBlade wrote:It looks like you use a light box and camera?

I sent you a PM with some (too much lol) information about my photography set up.

This is another Walden made NYK. Its unique in that is the size of a peanut 2 7/8" closed. A lot of blade packed into a small knife.

WOW, Barry, that is one sweet little knife and sweet bones too.

Thanks Joe it's one of my favorite's. It likely had a Hammer Brand etch when it was new. The coolest thing about it is the length of the master blade. Whoever had it as a user, took good care of it back then.

A Doctor And A Pharmacist from Walden.
The Dr. Is stamped WALDEN KNIFE CO NY on both blades.
The Pharmacist is stamped WALDEN KNIFE CO. MADE IN U.S.A.

That's three beautiful knives Barry, from yesterday and today, thanks for sharing Love the bone handles.

Barry, those are two exceptional knives there. A pleasure to see.

Barry,ditto the comments.

Nice pair of knives Barry ... almost like they were made as a set with the “rich” jigged bone handles... thanks for sharing those here!

Really nice knives here. I need to start at the beginning and go through them. Here is one of the few NYK I have. The screw driver blade locks in place.

luckydog64 wrote:Here is one of the few NYK I have. The screw driver blade locks in place.

Lucky, beautiful knife and very interesting pattern. Is the closed length in the 3 5/8" range or the 4 1/4" range?

Thank you Ralph, it is 3 5/8.

Lucky, That is a rare bird. Not many of those around. Thanks for posting, Barry

Cool knife LD.

Cool knife LD and a pattern I have never seen .. With all the examples I have seen now I have to say NY Knife no doubt had some beautiful bone on their knives ...

Awesome looking Walden knives, Barry... I really like those patterns...
in fact just last week, I received a Canal Street Cutlery version... makes for a nice comparison between old & new (2006)...


luckydog64... that is a real neat variation of an electricians knife!
The ones I usually see are in a jack pattern configuration... very nice NYKC...

Luckydog, that is a fine and beautiful old knife you have there.

Very nice Canal Street, Ken.

Here's a pretty sanitary New York Hammer Brand stockman at 3 15/16" closed.
It may have been carried and used but never sharpened.
I got it on that big slobbering auction for less than $35.00.

Joe,nice post New York Knife Hammer Brand..

Thank you, Roger.
Do you mean this knife was made after 1931?
Only the clip is stamped. Nothing on the other blades.
Could this knife have been made by Camillus?
Somehow it has a Camillus feel to it.

Maybe with any luck Roger thinks I just made a nice post.

Yes Joe,after 1931.I believe it is Imperial made.

Thank you, Roger.
I'm glad I know that now. That explains the low price and that knowledgeable buyers (unlike my self) are paying attention.
Actually I think it was still a good price. It's a great knife.
My first early Imperial with the Hammer Brand stamp and bone covers.

I really appreciate the lesson.