All About Pocket Knives

Phil, beautiful Cannitler. In addition to being nice to look at, I think the blade configuration of the cannitler makes it a very functional knife. I really hope the new Canal Street Coop venture produces some new cannitlers. It would also be nice, in my opinion, if they made a 4 inch gunboat size in addition to the 3 5/8" size.

philco wrote:Technically this may not be a true canoe but it's close enough for me. This is a Canal Street Cannitler, a sort of cross between a Canoe and Whittler. It has three blades like a Whittler but has the frame shape of a Canoe. This one just joined my collection. The handles are Amber Camel Bone and the blade steel is D2.

Phil, if it looks like a canoe, walks and talks like a canoe, and feels like a canoe......it's a canoe!
I have a couple of those Canal Street canittlers in my canoe collection, they look right at home.

Yours is an exceptionally fine example. Love that camel bone.

BTW, Case has made three blade 3 5/8" canoes but I don't think they called them canittlers. Below is one from 1981 (53131 SS)...

RalphAlsip wrote:Phil, beautiful Cannitler. In addition to being nice to look at, I think the blade configuration of the cannitler makes it a very functional knife. I really hope the new Canal Street Coop venture produces some new cannitlers. It would also be nice, in my opinion, if they made a 4 inch gunboat size in addition to the 3 5/8" size.

New Canal Street Coop?? I hadn't heard that they were going to make a comeback. If so that is great news!!! Please enlighten me....but go slow...too much excitement at my age can be dangerous!

Sasquach wrote:

Lakelife wrote:I have this red one # dr64131 ss. I think the blue one is as well but the box has 6431 ssm number the blue is called bold . The white looks just like them but it is just a bold with a #54131 ssm . I'm new to this just learning.

Those are called "Big Chief" canoes. They are very collectable. If you're not familiar with the Case model numbers the first number is the handle material, 6 being bone and 5 is stag. The second number is the number of blades, in this case 4. and the last three numbers are the pattern, 131 is the canoe pattern. The DR on your red one is for dark red. They sometime add the color, if it's special, on the front of the stamp. So dr64131 = dark red, bone handle, four blades, canoe pattern.

That black stag is a beauty!!!

Charlie, I didn’t realize those were called Big Chief. Very helpful. I have only come across 1 4 Big Chief canoe. Still have it. I have tried to sell it and have listed it here and on eBay. I won’t take less than 110 dollars for it, it’s a red stag, but getting no buyers. I have seen these go for close to 150. I can’t figure out if these are rare or common. Seeing three together makes me think they made more than I thought. Do you know Charlie how common or rare these are?
SSk

Sharpnshinyknives wrote:

Sasquach wrote:

Lakelife wrote:I have this red one # dr64131 ss. I think the blue one is as well but the box has 6431 ssm number the blue is called bold . The white looks just like them but it is just a bold with a #54131 ssm . I'm new to this just learning.

Those are called "Big Chief" canoes. They are very collectable. If you're not familiar with the Case model numbers the first number is the handle material, 6 being bone and 5 is stag. The second number is the number of blades, in this case 4. and the last three numbers are the pattern, 131 is the canoe pattern. The DR on your red one is for dark red. They sometime add the color, if it's special, on the front of the stamp. So dr64131 = dark red, bone handle, four blades, canoe pattern.

That black stag is a beauty!!!

Charlie, I didn’t realize those were called Big Chief. Very helpful. I have only come across 1 4 Big Chief canoe. Still have it. I have tried to sell it and have listed it here and on eBay. I won’t take less than 110 dollars for it, it’s a red stag, but getting no buyers. I have seen these go for close to 150. I can’t figure out if these are rare or common. Seeing three together makes me think they made more than I thought. Do you know Charlie how common or rare these are?
SSk

In my experience a mint or excellent Big Chief in red stag for $110.00 is a darn good deal. Case made a series of them with "Big Chief" etched on the master blade as well as the straight production models. That series included a red bone, green bone, blue bone, and a Midnight Stag if I remember correctly. They aren't super rare but they are a limited production and you don't see them every day. I'm not sure but I believe the etched editions were limited to 500 or 1000 pieces each. I've seen stag versions sell for as much as $150.00 too. That's the best info I can give you off the top of my head.

Sasquach wrote:

Sharpnshinyknives wrote:

Sasquach wrote: Those are called "Big Chief" canoes. They are very collectable. If you're not familiar with the Case model numbers the first number is the handle material, 6 being bone and 5 is stag. The second number is the number of blades, in this case 4. and the last three numbers are the pattern, 131 is the canoe pattern. The DR on your red one is for dark red. They sometime add the color, if it's special, on the front of the stamp. So dr64131 = dark red, bone handle, four blades, canoe pattern.

That black stag is a beauty!!!

Charlie, I didn’t realize those were called Big Chief. Very helpful. I have only come across 1 4 Big Chief canoe. Still have it. I have tried to sell it and have listed it here and on eBay. I won’t take less than 110 dollars for it, it’s a red stag, but getting no buyers. I have seen these go for close to 150. I can’t figure out if these are rare or common. Seeing three together makes me think they made more than I thought. Do you know Charlie how common or rare these are?
SSk

In my experience a mint or excellent Big Chief in red stag for $110.00 is a darn good deal. Case made a series of them with "Big Chief" etched on the master blade as well as the straight production models. That series included a red bone, green bone, blue bone, and a Midnight Stag if I remember correctly. They aren't super rare but they are a limited production and you don't see them every day. I'm not sure but I believe the etched editions were limited to 500 or 1000 pieces each. I've seen stag versions sell for as much as $150.00 too. That's the best info I can give you off the top of my head.

Thanks Charlie. That helps.
SSk

Sasquach wrote:New Canal Street Coop?? I hadn't heard that they were going to make a comeback. If so that is great news!!! Please enlighten me....but go slow...too much excitement at my age can be dangerous!

I don't want to paddle too far out of the canoe stream... Here are a couple of useful links.
Here is a link that describes the rebirth of Canal Street. Basically it is a loose collection of knife makers working on making a few high quality knives.
https://redhillcutlery.com/rebirth-of-c ... -quantity/

This link shows the knives that have already been produced. https://redhillcutlery.com/product-cate ... utlery-37/

AAPK thread where this has been discussed: viewtopic.php?f=71&t=57875

Thanks for your valuable knowledge. It will help me along

RalphAlsip wrote:

Sasquach wrote:New Canal Street Coop?? I hadn't heard that they were going to make a comeback. If so that is great news!!! Please enlighten me....but go slow...too much excitement at my age can be dangerous!

I don't want to paddle too far out of the canoe stream... Here are a couple of useful links.
Here is a link that describes the rebirth of Canal Street. Basically it is a loose collection of knife makers working on making a few high quality knives.
https://redhillcutlery.com/rebirth-of-c ... -quantity/

This link shows the knives that have already been produced. https://redhillcutlery.com/product-cate ... utlery-37/

AAPK thread where this has been discussed: viewtopic.php?f=71&t=57875

Thank you!

Lakelife wrote:Thanks for your valuable knowledge. It will help me along

You're welcome.

geocash wrote:Good deal! I hope they respond, & know. Thanks.

Well, I finally got a response from Ka-Bar. This is what they said:

Dear Charles,

Thank you for sending photos.

According to the CEO, these were probably manufactured by Blue Grass Cutlery, if it was a Collector's Club knife and Camillus if they were in the standard product line. Blue Grass usually used Queen to sub manufacture also.

If you seek more information I will refer you to Bernard Levine who works independently of KA-BAR and sets his own prices. He values knives and can be reached at the following:

Bernard Levine
PO Box 2404
Egere, OR 97402
Tel# 541-484-0294

Charlie,

Thanks for trying to run this down & sharing what you've been told by Ka-Bar. But, I need more information or maybe some interpretation. Did, or does, Bluegrass actually manufacture knives or just contract with different factories? I'd expect a Collector's Club knife to have something identifying it as such. I don't think mine has that & I don't think yours do. Their response, then, points to their standard product line & Camillus but I still think the knives look more like something Queen would turn out. Am I missing something?

geocash wrote:Charlie,

Thanks for trying to run this down & sharing what you've been told by Ka-Bar. But, I need more information or maybe some interpretation. Did, or does, Bluegrass actually manufacture knives or just contract with different factories? I'd expect a Collector's Club knife to have something identifying it as such. I don't think mine has that & I don't think yours do. Their response, then, points to their standard product line & Camillus but I still think the knives look more like something Queen would turn out. Am I missing something?

No, you're not missing anything. I came away with the same conclusion. It is unfortunate that manufacturers don't know about their own products. I've ran into this with Case as well when trying to track down how many of a limited edition were made. I've posted pics and our question on the "Is this a Queen" thread and am waiting to see if anyone responds. If worse comes to worse I might break down and pay Mr. Levine's 25 dollar fee to get an answer. Of course that is $25.00 per knife so I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for me to ask him. I can understand charging a fee but $25.00 per knife is a bit much and I think I'm going to donate his book to Goodwill.

This 'un here is on the way......

Schrade Wostenholm canoe.....
Not sure what the PO did to it...... Looks like the shield side was sanded or filed (??)

It's got some extra stampings on the bolsters... The number in the first pic above looks like "2672"....
I don't know.... Y'all know much about these Schrade Wostenholm knives?

Mike

I have one of those Mike and the number on the front bolster on mine is 12192. I'm not sure if it's a production number or not. Unless I'm mistaken these knives were collaboration of Schrade and IXL Wostenholm made in Sheffield England. I'm guessing the stamp on the other bolster is what the English call a hallmark.

Nice canoe. Looks like it could tell a few stories. Thanks for showing it.

I bought this knife about 20 years ago, most likely out of a catalog with one fine photo representing their stock of that pattern. Well, I liked the knife just fine except for the bone handles, which I didn't particularly care for, on either side. But, I carried it a good bit & used it a good bit & I got to like it even more, except for those handles. (And I'm sure I've became more discerning, lately, by associating you AAPK folks.) So, since my standards have risen, I decided to do something about the handles a few months ago & contacted one Muskrat Man, whose work many of you recommended. Now I recommend his work, too. Not only am I pleased with the handles (on both sides) but I have something special.

geocash, Congratulations. You now have a great and distinctive looking Canoe. And kudos to Muskrat Man.

Meridian_Mike wrote:This 'un here is on the way......

Schrade Wostenholm canoe.....

Wostenholm 1.jpg
Wostenholm 2.jpg

Not sure what the PO did to it...... Looks like the shield side was sanded or filed (??)

It's got some extra stampings on the bolsters...
Wostenholm 3.jpg

The number in the first pic above looks like "2672"....
I don't know.... Y'all know much about these Schrade Wostenholm knives?

Mike

Mike,
I forgot to mention a couple of things. The knife you have did not have a shield and what you see is probably wear on the stag scale. Also the one I have is from 1982 and I believe yours is probably of similar age.

geocash wrote:I bought this knife about 20 years ago, most likely out of a catalog with one fine photo representing their stock of that pattern. Well, I liked the knife just fine except for the bone handles, which I didn't particularly care for, on either side. But, I carried it a good bit & used it a good bit & I got to like it even more, except for those handles. (And I'm sure I've became more discerning, lately, by associating you AAPK folks.) So, since my standards have risen, I decided to do something about the handles a few months ago & contacted one Muskrat Man, whose work many of you recommended. Now I recommend his work, too. Not only am I pleased with the handles (on both sides) but I have something special.

Looks good Geocash! Henkels makes a good blade and Muskrat Man put some fine looking scales on it!

New canoe in the house!

Glad you found one of those Charlie.

Sasquach wrote: Mike,
I forgot to mention a couple of things. The knife you have did not have a shield and what you see is probably wear on the stag scale. Also the one I have is from 1982 and I believe yours is probably of similar age.

Thanks for all that info!!
Now I have a pretty good education for this knife.

Meridian_Mike wrote:

Sasquach wrote: Mike,
I forgot to mention a couple of things. The knife you have did not have a shield and what you see is probably wear on the stag scale. Also the one I have is from 1982 and I believe yours is probably of similar age.

Thanks for all that info!!
Now I have a pretty good education for this knife.

You're welcome. I don't know as much as I would like to know but I'm happy to share what I've learned along the way.

Another NEW CANOE in the house!

I had a hard time getting the light right to show off the handle without a blinding glare off the blades and bolsters! This is the best shot I've got so far.

That is a beauty Charlie. Definitely going on my wish list.