All About Pocket Knives

Not only did they make bone handled knives, they made some very nice three and four bladed bone handled stockmen with a nice etch on the master blade.

While I think it is true that KutMaster knives are found most often with composite handles, I think the decline in the appearance of quality is more related to the steps they had to take just to stay afloat as long as they did.

I think most of the American cutlery companies changed some things regarding materials tha resulted in a perceived decline in quality and workmanship.

Robeson abandoned natural handle materials in about 1959, had cut way back on the number of patterns available after WWII, and still went belly-up in 1965.

Even Case went to Delrin after WWII, although I don't think they ever actually abandoned genuine bone or stag completely.

Charlie Noyes

Not only did they use jigged bone, they used genuine mother of pearl.

And, the fit and finish was as good as any other quality company.

i have a few to add

RobesonsRme.com wrote:
While I think it is true that KutMaster knives are found most often with composite handles, I think the decline in the appearance of quality is more related to the steps they had to take just to stay afloat as long as they did.

I think most of the American cutlery companies changed some things regarding materials tha resulted in a perceived decline in quality and workmanship.

Charlie Noyes

I think you are right Charlie. Economic pressures did force some changes in the way things were made. As for the quality, Delrin could actually be considered a step up in quality over bone handles. Delrin is far more resistant to cracking and breaking than bone handles are. Personally I find bone handles far more ascetically pleasing than Delrin, but when these knives were made they were tools, not collectables. The toughness of Delrin arguably makes a better tool does the more brittle bone.

Miller Bro`s wrote:Not only did they use jigged bone, they used genuine mother of pearl.

And, the fit and finish was as good as any other quality company.

I quite agree Dimitri; their F & F is as good any and better than some companies.
You got me to thinking and I do have a bone handled Kutmaster jack, a rather pretty one IMHO.

Thanks for the info guys!

Miller Bro`s wrote:Not only did they use jigged bone, they used genuine mother of pearl.And, the fit and finish was as good as any other quality company.

The knife I listed on pg. 3 is genuine mother-of-pearl and it is a very nice knife.

Nice one TJ I did not see that one posted.

Dale, I believe most all the bone handle knives made by Kutmaster were made before 1950. After WWII bone handles were in decline, by all knife companies that were struggling to compete in the knife business. Case still used quite a bit but they also were looking for other materials to use.

As far as Delrin is concerned, I never liked it. I have several that were unused and they crack around the pins too. Like you say they were sold as tools not as collectors items. The reason most knife companies use bone, stag, pearl, etc. today is because that is what collectors want.

BTW, nice looking jack you have there

All nice, new and users. I have to post.

That sure is a pretty knife MAGOO.

Some examples of Utica's KutMaster knives:

Nice display Charlie!

Is it yours?

No. I stole the photo off of one Mike Adamson's website.

I posted a link to his site in this forum today.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... twexlMTdCw

Charlie Noyes

Bret does have these two muskrats that were at my place. The top one is bone & the bottom one is delrin.

Thought I would add my baseball knife.

Thanks Murph

RobesonsRme.com wrote:Even Case went to Delrin after WWII, although I don't think they ever actually abandoned genuine bone or stag completely.

Charlie Noyes

It was quite sometime before Case went to delrin after WWII wasn't it? I thought Case first began using delrin in the 1960's. Could it have been composite that Case went to instead of delrin? I think knife companies used bone and stag for handles on the older knives that were built as tools because of their ability to wear for a long time under regular use. And as far as options for handle material, they didn't really have a lot to choose from that would take a lot of wear and be affordable like delrin or plastic and the other newer handle materials we have today. If todays handle materials were an option for knife companies way back then, I believe they would have used them. At least back in those times they tried to build things that would last for as long as they could possibly make it last, and I'm not just talking about knives. Look how they build things today, they don't want a vehicle or it's parts to last long. They want it to wear out after a few years and have to be replaced or traded in and a new one bought.

Aimus

I just wanted to post this one to get some advertising in .

Bob R.

I got this one off ebay for a song. From the sharpening wear on the clip blade someone used this knife but everything else about it is in great shape, leading me to believe that a person who knew and cared about his knives owned this one - used but cared for. I'm delighted to have it now.

someone gave me this one.

robinetn wrote:I just wanted to post this one to get some advertising in .

Bob R.

Bob,

That one is a beauty! Do you have any idea what period it may be from? A friend just showed me last week a Muskrat very similar to yours, But his appears to have delrin handles. Is yours a single backspring as well? It definately is a nice looking knife we don't see a lot of

Bonehead

I bet that one has some nice carbon steel in it gringo.
Just needs a handle from what I can tell.

I found this one in a box of knifes while getting ready for the show next month.
Pretty celluloid.

A very nice old Kutmaster.

A nice bone 3 5/8" cattle pattern,given to me by my nephew a few years ago.He is now a fine preacher of the gospel.

That is a sweet one wlf!

Thank you Dave,it has sentimental value..