All About Pocket Knives

Beautiful Sword Brand, Skip!

Waukonda wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 1:56 am Beautiful.....

Thank you, Ike.

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 11:30 am Recently, my visit to the post office produced this pocket knife. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. It also became the latest example to be added to my general, CAMILLUS, pocket knife accumulation. It is a CAMILLUS, SWORD BRAND "3026", three blades (one has a file), 3 1/8" closed, three tang stamps, "split spring", "whittler", pattern or style of pocket knife. YES, I KNOW THIS IS NOT A TRUE SPLIT SPRING pocket knife! The main blade front tang stamp says, "SWORD (over) BRAND" with the CROSSED SWORDS logo or emblem. The main blade back tang stamp says, "3026" The secondary blade front tang stamp says, "CAMILLUS (over) CUTLERY CO. (over) CAMILLUS N.Y. (over) U.S.A." The main blade does have a SOFT half stop. The main blade does have a GOOD opening snap. The main blade does have a GOOD closing snap. The secondary blade does have a SOFT half stop. The secondary blade does have a GOOD opening snap. The secondary blade does have a VERY GOOD closing snap. The third blade/tool does have a SOFT half stop. The third blade/tool does have an OK opening snap. The third blade/tool does have an OK closing snap. This pocket knife is in EXCELLENT condition. This pocket knife did NOT need any cleaning. I just wiped it off. 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.

That’s a very nice Whittler Skip. And that Sword brand stamp on that pattern with bone really checks some boxes here !
If it ever needs a new home please let me know.
Take care out there

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 11:30 am Recently, my visit to the post office produced this pocket knife. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. It also became the latest example to be added to my general, CAMILLUS, pocket knife accumulation. It is a CAMILLUS, SWORD BRAND "3026", three blades (one has a file), 3 1/8" closed, three tang stamps, "split spring", "whittler", pattern or style of pocket knife. YES, I KNOW THIS IS NOT A TRUE SPLIT SPRING pocket knife! The main blade front tang stamp says, "SWORD (over) BRAND" with the CROSSED SWORDS logo or emblem. The main blade back tang stamp says, "3026" The secondary blade front tang stamp says, "CAMILLUS (over) CUTLERY CO. (over) CAMILLUS N.Y. (over) U.S.A." The main blade does have a SOFT half stop. The main blade does have a GOOD opening snap. The main blade does have a GOOD closing snap. The secondary blade does have a SOFT half stop. The secondary blade does have a GOOD opening snap. The secondary blade does have a VERY GOOD closing snap. The third blade/tool does have a SOFT half stop. The third blade/tool does have an OK opening snap. The third blade/tool does have an OK closing snap. This pocket knife is in EXCELLENT condition. This pocket knife did NOT need any cleaning. I just wiped it off. 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.

Skip, a true whittler. and sweet bones.

Ripster wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 12:31 pm That’s.....

Thank you, JP.
"IF" I ever decide to part with this particular
pocket knife, you'll be the second person to know.
Take care up and over there.

doglegg wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 3:08 pm Skip.....

Thank you, Floyd.

I picked up this Queen Whittler over the weekend at our local flea market. Blade is etched Queen Steel USA PCR3, and is dated 95.

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:26 pm I picked up this Queen Whittler over the weekend at our local flea market. Blade is etched Queen Steel USA PCR3, and is dated 95.

IMG_6421.JPG

Looks new.

Are these 3 blade knives with nail files really???whittlers or is it because they are made to resemble the whittler that causes us to call them whittles???

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:26 pm I picked up this Queen Whittler over the weekend at our local flea market. Blade is etched Queen Steel USA PCR3, and is dated 95.

Very nice find, Olde Cutler!

winst wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 8:02 pm Are these 3 blade knives with nail files really???whittlers or is it because they are made to resemble the whittler that causes us to call them whittles???

They really are Whittlers. The signature feature of the Whittler Pattern is that the knife has two springs: the main blade rides on both springs, while each of the secondary blades rides on one spring. (See footnote) Here are two old Gentleman's Knives with nail files and the proper blade and spring arrangement for Whittlers. I was about to post these when I saw your question. Note the blade and spring configuration! (Footnote - I intentionally made the definition of a Whittler Pattern knife sound very simple. Which it is in my opinion. However, and that is an important however, other folks may have somewhat different opinions.)

Dinadan wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 11:40 pm

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:26 pm I picked up this Queen Whittler over the weekend at our local flea market. Blade is etched Queen Steel USA PCR3, and is dated 95.

Very nice find, Olde Cutler!

winst wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 8:02 pm Are these 3 blade knives with nail files really???whittlers or is it because they are made to resemble the whittler that causes us to call them whittles???

They really are Whittlers. The signature feature of the Whittler Pattern is that the knife has two springs: the main blade rides on both springs, while each of the secondary blades rides on one spring. (See footnote) Here are two old Gentleman's Knives with nail files and the proper blade and spring arrangement for Whittlers. I was about to post these when I saw your question.
Morley16.jpg
Morley18.jpg
Note the blade and spring configuration!
Sterling11.jpg
Sterling12.jpg
(Footnote - I intentionally made the definition of a Whittler Pattern knife sound very simple. Which it is in my opinion. However, and that is an important however, other folks may have somewhat different opinions.)

Neat old knife and equally wonderful old coin.

Nice knives OC and Mel

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:26 pm I picked up this Queen Whittler over the weekend at our local flea market. Blade is etched Queen Steel USA PCR3, and is dated 95.

IMG_6421.JPG

That's a beauty!

Thanks, Doglegg and MB. I do not buy a lot of older knives, so I do not have many vintage Whittlers to post here. But vintage is a moveable target. I guess that in the thirteen years since MB started this thread a lot of knives have moved into the vintage category.

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:26 pm I picked up this Queen Whittler over the weekend at our local flea market. Blade is etched Queen Steel USA PCR3, and is dated 95.

IMG_6421.JPG

Excellent, OC!

Dinadan wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 11:40 pm

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:26 pm I picked up this Queen Whittler over the weekend at our local flea market. Blade is etched Queen Steel USA PCR3, and is dated 95.

Very nice find, Olde Cutler!

winst wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 8:02 pm Are these 3 blade knives with nail files really???whittlers or is it because they are made to resemble the whittler that causes us to call them whittles???

They really are Whittlers. The signature feature of the Whittler Pattern is that the knife has two springs: the main blade rides on both springs, while each of the secondary blades rides on one spring. (See footnote) Here are two old Gentleman's Knives with nail files and the proper blade and spring arrangement for Whittlers. I was about to post these when I saw your question.
Morley16.jpg
Morley18.jpg
Note the blade and spring configuration!
Sterling11.jpg
Sterling12.jpg
(Footnote - I intentionally made the definition of a Whittler Pattern knife sound very simple. Which it is in my opinion. However, and that is an important however, other folks may have somewhat different opinions.)

That's a true old beauty, Mel!

Hello everyone! I have been lurking around this site for a while and had some time today to attempt to make my first posts.
We shall see if I've figured it out.

First off, I would like to say a big THANK YOU! to all the administrators, moderators and members for your hard work and contributions to build this into such an invaluable resource. Keep up the great work. While any of my future posts may be sporadic, I hope that I can occasionally add something of value to the community.

Starting with a couple of old rare Columbia whittlers.

The first is a split back marked COLUMBIA over C.C.Co.
It is used with lots of life left.
All blades are tight with no play and have half stops and heavy snap.
Celluloid handle is crack free with a federal shield. 3 3/8" end to end.
Very thick main blade. Secondary coping and nail file.
All blades have tang stamps.

Enjoy!
-Joe

The second knife is also a split back marked COLUMBIA KNIFE COMPANY in a circle with "knife" being in the center.
It is used and snappy and solid with no play in the blades. No half stop on the main blade however both secondary blades have a half stop.
The secondary blades have been heavily used but honestly look to be still useful should someone desire to whittle something with a 100+ year old knife.
Smooth bone handle is chip and crack free with no shield. 3 5/16" end to end.
All blades have tang stamps.

Enjoy!

Joe

Magnercraft wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 4:02 pm Hello everyone! I have been lurking around this site for a while and had some time today to attempt to make my first posts.
We shall see if I've figured it out.

Welcome to the forum, Joe. When I joined I also lurked for several months before I started posting. Very nice photos: you definitely have that figured out! Those are certainly two fine old knives you posted. Columbia is not a stamp that I recall seeing before.

Dinadan wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 5:35 pm

Magnercraft wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 4:02 pm Hello everyone! I have been lurking around this site for a while and had some time today to attempt to make my first posts.
We shall see if I've figured it out.

Welcome to the forum, Joe. When I joined I also lurked for several months before I started posting. Very nice photos: you definitely have that figured out! Those are certainly two fine old knives you posted. Columbia is not a stamp that I recall seeing before.

Thank you, Mel.
These two have been difficult to research.
Standard lists "Columbia Cut. Co. , Worcester, MA , c.1898-1905" but nothing for Columbia Knife Company.
Price lists "Columbia Knife Co. , New York , c.1900" but nothing for Columbia Cut. Co.
Same company? Different company? I have no idea. The age on them feels correct however comparable examples elude me.

Magnercraft wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 4:02 pm Hello everyone! I have been lurking around this site for a while and had some time today to attempt to make my first posts.
We shall see if I've figured it out.

First off, I would like to say a big THANK YOU! to all the administrators, moderators and members for your hard work and contributions to build this into such an invaluable resource. Keep up the great work. While any of my future posts may be sporadic, I hope that I can occasionally add something of value to the community.

Starting with a couple of old rare Columbia whittlers.

The first is a split back marked COLUMBIA over C.C.Co.
It is used with lots of life left.
All blades are tight with no play and have half stops and heavy snap.
Celluloid handle is crack free with a federal shield. 3 3/8" end to end.
Very thick main blade. Secondary coping and nail file.
All blades have tang stamps.

Enjoy!
-Joe



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IMG_E1254.JPG
IMG_E1255.JPG
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IMG_E1251.JPG
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IMG_1253.JPG

Beautiful old knife, Joe! thanks for sharing. Don't be a stranger, and welcome!

toomanyknives wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 2:29 am

Magnercraft wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 4:02 pm Hello everyone! ............................

Beautiful old knife, Joe! thanks for sharing. Don't be a stranger, and welcome!

Thanks! I have really enjoyed all of the knives and research that have been displayed on this site and am looking forward to sharing more knives as I find the time. More whittlers to come.... among other knice things.

Wonderful old survivors. Thanks for posting them here, and welcome to AAPK. Here is a link to a list of knife companies that operated in New York State, Columbia Knife Company among them. https://www.nypkhistory.org/new-page Unfortunately the site does not have any more information about the company.

One of the first things I do when researching a new (to me) stamp is enter the name into the keyword search here on AAPK. Rarely does it fail to bring up prior posts with info about the company, or at least pictures of other knives from that company. Unfortunately “Columbia” Is a fairly common word and appears in the name of several other companies so if you go that route you may have to wade through some posts to find what you’re wanting. (Search can be found in the drop-down list under Quicklinks, located on the upper left of this thread - the little three-line “hamburger” icon).

Ken

Magnercraft wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:57 pm

toomanyknives wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 2:29 am

Magnercraft wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 4:02 pm Hello everyone! ............................

Beautiful old knife, Joe! thanks for sharing. Don't be a stranger, and welcome!

Thanks! I have really enjoyed all of the knives and research that have been displayed on this site and am looking forward to sharing more knives as I find the time. More whittlers to come.... among other knice things.

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 4:25 pm Wonderful old survivors. Thanks for posting them here, and welcome to AAPK. Here is a link to.......

Ken

Thanks Ken! I've done some deep dives on here in regards to those Columbia knives, but I will keep looking around for sure.
In the meantime here is another whittler I picked up somewhere along the line.

This is a double spring/? (twin spring,split spring,no spring spacer? idk) whittler marked "G.R.C. over Chicago" (Golden Rule Company c.1900-1923)
It is used with lots of life left.
All blades are tight with no play and nice snap. No half stops.
Translucent celluloid handle is chip and crack free and stable with pictures visible.
Very thick main blade rides on both springs and the two secondary blades act independently.
All blades are marked G.R.C. over Chicago.

The show side handle features the pictorial lettering "B.F.S. White" over "Edison, Pa."
The obverse handle features an American flag and an image of the great seal of the K.O.T.M. (Knights of the Maccabees)
Showing its motto "Astra Castra Numen Lumen" meaning "The stars my camp, the deity my light", as well as a tent representing its national body called "The Supreme tent"

The Knights of the Maccabees established as a fraternal order c.1878 and in 1914 its name was changed to The Maccabees and continued in existence in one form or another, mainly as an insurance provider, up until 1986. A real rabbit hole to dive into. The origin of the name Maccabees is most interesting and I encourage anyone who enjoys a little history to dig into it.

The dating of the Golden Rule company and the Knights of the Maccabees should put this knife between 1900-1914.

Enjoy!
Joe

Joe, thanks for showing that one. You may know this already - it has what’s called a “catch bit” spacer to separate the two secondary blades. It’s an interesting, probably less expensive and easier way to construct a whittler.

Ken