All About Pocket Knives

I started this post on another forum and it seems to have stalled, I am looking for information on "who" makes "what" for "whom" as far as new production slipjoints are concerned. If you can add to this please do so.

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There are a heap of good books on the origins of pocket knife Manufacturers, many with intricate dating and value scales that assist a collector of older slipjoints in his research. With these guides such a collector can often find out where and when (sometimes even to the specific year) and old pocket knife was produced.

Collectors of new Slipjoints however are not as fortunate. When someone begins their journey into the world of new pocket knives it's often out of curiosity or maybe the desire to explore an alternative genre from their current norm in knife collecting. But while the knives are new and bright some have origins that are not so clear.

It's a well known fact that there are very few Charter Members left of what was once the booming industry of American made knives. Yet new examples of many of the old well know knives our Grandfathers used to pull out when they wanted to "cut a chaw" are still showing up, so where do these new knives come from?

I would like for everyone to share their knowledge to shed some light on the origins of these new pocket knives. I am going to post a list of new production Pocket Knife Makers - Brands/Names ... if you know who actually produces their knives please reply. ie. "Huntin Dawg Knives" Stockman patterns are made by Felinus Gratuitus Inc but all their other patterns are made by them in house.

In some cases we won't know the name of the actual company that makes the knives but we do know the Country of origin, that will suffice. In other cases a company may purchase their knives from more than one out source, or they may have purchased their knives from Source A "from 1988 - 1995" but since have purchased from Source B. If you know this type of info please share it as well. If you can cite any ref please do so but this is not meant for publication, just a way to shed more light for slipjoint collectors on where their new knife came from.

(If I have missed any names of currently available new pocket knives please let me know).

Bear & Son- All Models made "in house" in Jacksonville, AL
Boker- Most Models made in Baumwerk Factory - Solingen, German / Models marked "Arbolito" made in Buenos Aires, Argentina / Models marked MAGNUM made in China
Browning- All Models made in China / Licensed & Imported jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives
Buck- Some Models made in China (Model #'s with X7XX or XX8X are made in China) / Some Models made "in house" in Idaho
Buck Creek- All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Owned & Imported by FROST Cutlery
Bulldog- New Models made by Queen & GEC /Owned by Buzz Parker
*Several known Outsourced Models - some from 2007, 2008 & 2009
Canal Street Cutlery- All Models made "in house" in Ellenville, NY
Case- All Models Made "in house" in Bradford, PA
Chippaway Cutlery- All Models made in China / Owned & Imported by FROST Cutlery
Cinch- Most models Made by Boker - Baumwerk Factory - Solingen, Germany / Owned by Miller Corp. - COLO.
Colonel Coon- All Models made by Queen, Titusville, PA / Owned jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives
Colt- All Models Made In China (same plant as Rough Rider) / Owned by United Cutlery / Licensed & Imported jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives
Cripple Creek - Made by GEC and Queen / Owned & Licensed by Blue Ridge Knives
Fighting Rooster- All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Licensed & Imported by S. Buster
Fox N Hound- All models Made in China (2 possible Models made in Italy by AKC or Fox) / Same plant as Rough Rider / Licensed & Imported jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives
Eye Brand -German Eye (Carl Schlieper)- All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Licensed & Distributed by C. Risner
Gerber- All Models made in China
German Bull- All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Owned & Imported by FROST Cutlery
Great Eastern Cutlery-Tidioute Cutlery, Northfield Un-X-LD and Great Eastern Cutlery - Made in House - Titusville, PA USA
Hen & Rooster- Most Models made by Boker - Baumwerk Factory, Germany / Owned & Imported by FROST Cutlery
Indian Head- Some Models made in China / Some Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Licensed & Distributed by C. Risner
Jim Bowie - All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Licensed & Imported by C. Risner
John Primble- All Models made in China / Licensed & Distributed by Blue Grass Cutlery
Keen Kutter- All Models made by Bear & Son - Jacksonville, AL
Kutmaster (Utica)- Made "in house" U.S.
Kissing Crane- Most current Models made in China / One Model (Sodbuster) made in Italy / Owned by United Cutlery / Licensed & Imported jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives
Marbles- All Models made in China / Licensed & Imported jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives
MooreMaker- Most Models made by Queen in Titusville, PA / Some models by Bear & Son - B&S Models have a "B" in the Model #
Northwoods- All Models made by Queen in Titusville, PA
Queen- All Models made "in house" in Titusville, PA
Remington- Most Models made in China / Some Models made by Queen, Titusville, PA - incl. Annual Bullet Knife / Some Models (incl one future line, Official Boy Scout Traditional) made by Bear & Sons
Rigid- Most Models Made In China / Short Runs made by Canal Street Cutlery / Owned by United Cutlery / Licensed & Imported jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives
Robeson (Shuredge / Mastercraft)- Made by Queen, Titusville, PA / Licensed & Distributed through Smoky Mountain Knife Works
Rough Rider- All Models Made In China / Owned & Imported jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives
Schatt & Morgan- All Models made by Queen in Titusville, PA
Schrade- All Models Made in China / Owned & Imported by Taylor Cutlery Kingsport, TN
Shapliegh's- All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Imported & Distributed exclusively through Parkers
Utica (Kutmaster)- Made "in house" in USA
Weidmannsheill- All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Imported & Distributed exclusively through Parkers
Winchester- Most Models made in China - some Models produced by Queen in Titusville, PA / Licensed to Blue Grass Cutlery / Owned by Olin Corp.


* 2009 - 100 pcs - Single Blade Scout pattern 3 7/8" Rams Horn handles - with USA Blade Etch - made by Great Eastern Cutlery
* 2008 - 100 pcs - Two Blade Diamond Pearl Sunfish Pattern 3 5/8" - USA Etched into Blade - made by Queen
* 2008 - 100 pcs - Two Blade Stag Muscrat 4 1/8" - made by Great Eastern Cutlery
* 2008 - 100 pcs - Two Blade Stag Sunfish 4" - made by Queen
* 2008 - 100 pcs - Three Blade Stag Whittler 3 1/2" - made by Queen
* 2007 - 100 pcs - Stag Gunstock 3 3/4" - made by Queen
* 2007 - 100 pcs - Two Blade Mtn. Man Trapper - 4 5/8" - made by Queen
* 2007 - 100 pcs - Pearl Horticulturist 3 5/8" - made by Queen

Thanks for any help.

I believe the newest bulldog usa is made by GEC. A ramshorn singleblade lock.on the #73 frame.

Thanks Case. I updated the list with the info that you provided. I will look for a pic of that GEC made Bulldog and post it here if I can locate one.

Anyone else?

I do not think you are correct when you state that all current models of Buck knives are made in Idaho. They do still produce many of their knife models in Post Falls Idaho, but unless they have changed back over VERY recently, several are now made in China. I have a few such as the Stealth Pilot and Bantam that were made in China as well as a mini trapper and a canoe pattern. These are knives I have bought within the past two or three years new out of a store. I think there are other patterns they are now having made in China as well, such as the wooden handled slip joint knives.

It is also my understanding that current production of Kissing Crane knives is taking place in China and that German production has ceased and the brand name and intellectual property, i.e. pattern designs have been sold. I do not know for sure who now owns the rights to this brand and is having them produced.

Phil

I think all of Buck's slip joints are made in China. If I remember correctly the second number of the model number is a "7" that designates Chinese made (like model 371 is Chinese). There are some small lockbacks made in China also - I have one that came with a Buck 110. I think fixed blades and Buck 110 and Buck 112 is made in Idaho.

Hukk, the black sawcut delrin handled Buck slip joints are still made in the USA. The wooden handled version of the same knife design are now made in China. They have also sold some special edition slippies that were made in China in the past three years or so. The Bantam series of lockbacks and the Stealth Pilot and Mantis knives are also produced in China. I believe the Nobleman knives are made there as well. The 110 and its cousins are still made in the US. To the best of my knowledge, all the assisted openers they currently sell are US made too as are most if not all their fixed blade knives. The small lockbacks like the Prince are still made here too at last report.

Yeah, I saw a bunch of slippies in Walmart - all from China and all had the black handles. Thanks for your correction, everything I saw there was from China, but that's Walmart. Thanks again!

Thanks guys, good info. I will update Buck & Kissing Crane.
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Amherst Cutlery- All current Models Hand Made in Amherst, OH
Bear & Son- All Models made "in house" in Jacksonville, AL
Boker- Most Models made in Baumwerk Factory - Solingen, German / Some Models marked "Arbolito" made in Buenos Aires, Argentina / Models marked MAGNUM are made in China
Browning- All Models made in China
Buck- Models with X7XX or X8XX are made in China / Some Models made "in house" in Idaho
Buck Creek- All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Owned & Imported by FROST Cutlery
Bulldog- Most Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany /Owned & Imported by Parkers
*Currently 2 known Models made outside.

Canal Street Cutlery

Case- All Models Made "in house" in Bradford, PA
Cinch- All Models Made by Boker - Baumwerk Factory - Solingen, Germany
Colt- All Models made in China - same plant as Rough Rider / Licensed & Imported jointly by Smoky Mountain Knife Works & Blue Ridge Knives

Fighting Rooster
Fox N Hound

Eye Brand-All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany
Gerber- All Models made in China

German Bull

German Eye (Carl Schlieper)- All Models made "in house"
Great Eastern Cutlery-Tidioute Cutlery, Northfield Un-X-LD and Great Eastern Cutlery - Made in same Plant - Titusville, PA USA
Hen & Rooster- Most Models made by Boker - Baumwerk Factory, Germany
Jim Bowie- All Models made by Carl Schlieper - German Eye

John Primble

Keen Kutter- All Models made by Bear & Son
Kutmaster (Utica)-All Models made "in house" in US
Kissing Crane- Most current Models made in China / One Model (Sodbuster) made in Italy
Marbles- All Models made in China
MooreMaker- Most Models made by Queen in Titusville, PA / Some models by Bear & Son - B&S Models have a "B" in the Model #
Northwoods- All Models made by Queen in Titusville, PA
Queen- All Models made "in house" in Titusville, PA

Remington

Rough Rider- All Models Made In China / Owned & Imported jointly by Blue Ridge Knives & Smoky Mountain Knife Works
Schrade- All Models Made in China / Owned & Imported by Taylor Cutlery Kingsport, TN
Utica (Kutmaster)- All Models made "in house" in US
Weidmannsheil- All Models made by Friedrich Olbertz - Solingen Germany / Imported & Distributed exclusively through Parkers
Winchester- All Models produced by Queen in Titusville, PA / Most Models Sold by Blue Grass Cutlery / Owned by Olin Corp.

*Queen Made - 100 pcs - Sunfish Pattern with USA Etched into Blade.
*GEC Made - Qty Unk - Single Blade w/Rams Horn handle with USA Etched Blade.

Thanks for any help.

Intersting thread.

Boker Magnum made in China
Some Winchester knives made in China
Some Kissing Crane knives e.g. stiletto and sodbuster made in Italy or they were until very recently.

s-k

To my knowledge Queen makes the parts for these brands (how much assembly Queen for them does I don't know):

Tidioute Cutlery, Northfield Un-X-LD and Great Eastern Cutlery

Canal Street Cutlery

Amherst Cutlery

pointythings - No disrespect, but I will wait and see if others verify any of that before changing my list.

Thanks

The president of Amherst Cutlery Co. recently posted here on this site that they make their knives in house from start to finish.

Phil

philco wrote:The president of Amherst Cutlery Co. recently posted here on this site that they make their knives in house from start to finish.

Phil

That's my understanding also Phil. Real stand up people and great to work with is what I hear - remembering Sunburst's post about how well he was treated. I don't remember the particulars. Well here is his post.

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 421#p94421

They certainly treated Sunburst well, sometimes these things happen and Amherst really did more than they had to in order to satisfy a customer. It speaks well of them!

I believe you should add Steel Warrior which is made in China.

This is a question and not a statement, so please do not take it as such. Am I correct in thinking that Canal Street got some of their parts at least on early production models from Queen????? Seems like I recall reading that somewhere, but I'm not positive of it. My understanding is that they make their own knives entirely now.

Anyone know for sure on this?

Phil

that's what i heard as well, phil.

northwoods are made by queen.

Thanks for the info guys. I have updated the list.

Just a few left - a couple I thought would be the easiest were Fightin Rooster and German Bull.

Hillbillenigma wrote:Thanks for the info guys. I have updated the list.

Just a few left - a couple I thought would be the easiest were Fightin Rooster and German Bull.

Last I heard Fightin' Rooster was made in the Friedrich Olbertz factory in Solingen Germany - same factory that produces Bulldog Brand knives.

Let's not forget to add Colonel Coon to the list. This was copied and pasted from AAPK's Articles and Research: The Comeback-- In 2006, Smokey Mountain Knife Works purchased the Colonel Coon name and the brand was soon reintroduced. The more recent Colonel Coon Knives are factory manufactured models that come out of the Queen factory under liscence by SMKW.

Remingtons, as I understand are as such:

Most tactical knives made in Italy

Annual Bullet knife made in USA, stamped Madison NC but actually manufactured by Queen? in the USA, a selct few others in USA

Almost all others in China

Not 100% on this info so please correct me if wrong

Another one to add to the list is Robeson (Suredge and Mastercraft) My understanding is that the brand is now property of Smoky Mountain Knife Works and that the knives currently are produced under contract by Queen.

Phil

I didnt realize all gerber knives were made in china. thats ashame, when did they start doing that?

Some Gerber's are still made in Oregon as I understand.
They are the more expensive ones though.

Dale

Orvet - At the SHOT show Gerber did show a Folding knife that they intend on making in Oregon, but I don't think it has hit the streets yet. If there are any others (say from last year) I haven't heard or seen them. Would you have a link to a pic of one?

No pics I have seen, but I see them at the Blade show & they usually have some US made knives there.
I didn't make the Blade Show West last year, so not sure what they had then.

I still see US made Gerber's in the stores around Oregon.

Dale