All About Pocket Knives

Most of us collectors of antique pocket knives know that antique stockman patterns with FIVE blades are very rare and desirable. Case, Remington, and a few other companies made them and examples are rarely seen.

Likewise antique cattle knives with five blades are even rarer, I have only ever seen examples of one made by Camillus for Sears, none by any other manufacturers.

We also know that any cattle knife made on the "Rail Splitter" frame is also very rare, it was a premium pattern only made by a few companies.

Well, in my over 35 years of pursuing antique pocket knives, this is the first five-blade Rail Splitter that I have ever seen. I have seen and owned Rail Splitters with four blades...but never five.

This knife has all five blades maked PAXTON (arc) /AND GALLAGHER/OMAHA.

I believe that is was made by UTICA CUTLERY Co. since they made a lot of fancy patterns and a lot of hardware brands circa 1910's to 1930's.

I won this one on EBAY not knowing what the blade configuration was - poor pic and only one pic posted, but I could tell it was unusual since I could tell that there were three blades at the main blade end. For $35, I can't complain.

Knives like THIS are what makes this all worthwhile...a classic American pocket knife pattern with an unusual shape and a desirable blade configuration.

Amazing find knifeaholic! I have a bit of a cattle knife collection, and never saw a fiver when I was hunting them down. Looks all original from the available pics!
Helps make Christmas Merry!! Thanks for the show!!

Great pattern, 5 blades, and slanted, threaded, pinched bolsters, and my favorite cell pattern too.

35 years of experience is why you recognized an unpolished diamond.

Fran

You titled this thread correctly. That IS an amazing find!
I've seen a two headed chicken and a five legged goat but I ain't never seen nothin like that!

Nice "win".

Phil

Great find! A neat piece of cutlery history.

boy aren't those poor pic auctions exciting!!! that 5 blade is a real find, love that cell and slanted bolsters---congrats

way to watch em!

Great score Steve !!!

Hey Steve, I too agree w/ the Scarcity of the 5-blade Cattle by Any maker much less in the "Rail Splitter" or FANCY pattern. I have seen one by Henry Sears but believe it was made by Utica also. Utica sure made some "Supreme" knives,,,no pun intended, LOL

Yes, the reason why you spotted the Diamond in the ruff is because of your Experience and You will continue to keep finding these Fine Rare knives as you search. To this day, for me,,,I still consider myself a Newbie given the amount of info I Dont know yet about Pocket knives,,HAHAHAHAH. I seem to have a knack too for remembering almost every knife pattern or name. What I have noticed is that we see "Normal" knives and then we see "Scarce" knives. From this point of view,,,Normal meaning we see them often enough to recognize them. Scarce knives are for me,,,Also have a very low production #'s too because they were Highly expensive back in the day. Just rambling now,,Sorry
Kind Regards,
Mark

Belongs in a trophy case. Awesome knife Steve!

Hey Guys, Here is a Scarce & Unusual piece too me. It too was likely very expensive back in the day. Its 4 1/8" closed,,,,For the Whittler guy,,,Very Scarce pattern indeed. Stamped Henry Sears & Son but I dont think this one was a Utica made. I have no idea who made this one
Kind Regards,
Mark

royal0014 wrote:OP was nearly 9 years ago !!
How deep did you dig to excavate this thread ?

AAPK is an archeological gold mine! You can find amazing things buried in old threads here.

A few nights ago I was sitting in the living room, digging into the forums' depths. About 2 AM my wife, from the bedroom where she was sleeping, said "you better get to sleep. What are you doing?"

I said "looking at porn".

"No you're not. You're reading that knife forum!"

Ken

You were looking at porn,. Knife porn!

Mumbleypeg wrote:

royal0014 wrote:OP was nearly 9 years ago !!
How deep did you dig to excavate this thread ?

AAPK is an archeological gold mine! You can find amazing things buried in old threads here.

A few nights ago I was sitting in the living room, digging into the forums' depths. About 2 AM my wife, from the bedroom where she was sleeping, said "you better get to sleep. What are you doing?"

I said "looking at porn".

"No you're not. You're reading that knife forum!"

Ken

Now that's funny right there

knifeaholic wrote:Most of us collectors of antique pocket knives know that antique stockman patterns with FIVE blades are very rare and desirable. Case, Remington, and a few other companies made them and examples are rarely seen.

Likewise antique cattle knives with five blades are even rarer, I have only ever seen examples of one made by Camillus for Sears, none by any other manufacturers.

We also know that any cattle knife made on the "Rail Splitter" frame is also very rare, it was a premium pattern only made by a few companies.

Well, in my over 35 years of pursuing antique pocket knives, this is the first five-blade Rail Splitter that I have ever seen. I have seen and owned Rail Splitters with four blades...but never five.

This knife has all five blades maked PAXTON (arc) /AND GALLAGHER/OMAHA.

I believe that is was made by UTICA CUTLERY Co. since they made a lot of fancy patterns and a lot of hardware brands circa 1910's to 1930's.

I won this one on EBAY not knowing what the blade configuration was - poor pic and only one pic posted, but I could tell it was unusual since I could tell that there were three blades at the main blade end. For $35, I can't complain.

Knives like THIS are what makes this all worthwhile...a classic American pocket knife pattern with an unusual shape and a desirable blade configuration.

What's is the definition of "railsplitter" frame?

edge213 wrote: What's is the definition of "railsplitter" frame?

A strong heavy duty "beefy" knife, generally around 4 inches or more long. Built like a tank, for heavy work. Someone may have a better definition but that's what I think of as a Railsplitter.

Ken

Thanks Ken.

I guess these two would qualify under that name.Both are High Carbon Steel but with different shields.One has a broken blade.

Iv had this utica harness jack knife for a few yrs I have been trying to nail down a date the closest knife I found to it was dated 30s and i have only seen one picture just like it and it was put up less than a month ago

Ray i think the upper knife is a 5 blade Cattle but what is bottom picture ? a 4 blade Jack ??
How would you define "Railsplitter" ? i have never known what it meant other than usually see a serpentine frame.
kj

Case collectors refer to the 99 pattern as "The Railsplitter". It's a big heavy swell-end jack, 4-1/8 inches long.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote:Case collectors refer to the 99 pattern as "The Railsplitter". It's a big heavy swell-end jack, 4-1/8 inches long. Ken

Yup, I forgot about that one.

That's the reason I was asking. The 2 that I have made by Queen look nothing like that Case.