All About Pocket Knives

I have a military style fixed blade knife and all it has on the tang is E G W KNIFE.
Thanks.

What would you like to know?



M.B.

E. G. Waterman, makers of fountain pens, landed a contract for straight knives during WWII. Generally considered, according to B. Levine, to be of poor quality.
Charlie Noyes

Thats what I wanted to know.
Thanks.

johnny twoshoes
They were also a UDT military knife if you did not know. IMO they were not of as poor quality as the fit and finish exhibited. The round split ring holding the handle together was terrible. I think they may be considered a Mark 1 knife, for that reason they are a bit collectible. If you happen to have a sheath for your knife would you please take a scan or photo and post it, Myself for one have never seen one.
moss

I don't belive its the original sheath but I can't say for sure.

johnny twoshoes
Looks to be a grooved wood handle. Never saw one on a MK1. Funny thing about the marking knife below EGW. You figure they didn't want anyone to mistake it for a fork, They all have it I think.Yours has a nice blade, looks to be close to full. Your nine rivet sheath is a normal non-fancy flat leather sheath. I have seen them shown with 5 rivet and 7 rivet also. Someday I will find out what is the real McCoy. Thanks for your reply.
moss

Not every Waterman had the strange tang ring. Or any markings at all. Here is one I sold on ebay not long ago. I had my doubts about it being an EKG, but the buyer, a military knife collector from Sweden, and others assured me it was the real thing. After more research, I am positive it is. I tried to pick out some photos showing sheath details.

Phil

Thanks Phil:
That piece looks more like a normal Mark1.
moss

Mossdancer wrote:Thanks Phil:
That piece looks more like a normal Mark1.
moss

EG Waterman didn't make any MK1s

Point well taken, how about calling it a US Navy Dive Knife that looks strangely like a Mark 1. I wonder if they could have made a commercial version.
moss

They were never an issue knife,but a private purchase knife sold to and used by members of all branches of the military during WW2.I don't think you'd want to use one as a dive knife,as nothing about their construction is suited to repeated exposure to water.

Would certainly love to know more about the corporate history of their knife production….is it correct to say they quit making these after WW2 production?

Here’s one I posted a few days ago in “WW2 KNIVES & RELICS” post:
It was past down to me, and I believe the sheath is original, but am not 100% certain.

I have several with 2 different blade lengths. One of mine has an inscription " SGT TAYLOR" scratched into the sheath.

CampbellAr2 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 11, 2024 6:39 pm Would certainly love to know more about the corporate history of their knife production….is it correct to say they quit making these after WW2 production?

There might be some info in Levine's book, I'll have to remember to look tonight.