All About Pocket Knives

I have always wanted to take a little trip to the areas in new york where the a lot of the old Cutlery makers factories were,to see any old remains etc.
I have a friend who lives near the Catskills so I can vist him also.
Now the question is,what is left and where?
Anyone have an idea?

thanks and may the new year be a happy and healthy one for all of us.

catt57

Canal Street Cutlery is on one of the old buildings that Schrade was in at one time.
I think there may a few buildings left in the Walden area.

You might PM Eric (ea42) as he lives in that area.

Show us some pics of what you find.

Dale

Dale is right ...Canal Street Cutlery is in the Old Schrade Cutlery Building on....you guessed it "Canal Street", Ellenville NY

The now closed Schrade factory is 1-2 miles away on route 209 Ellenville NY

Tom

Actually, the Canal Street building was originally part of the old Ulster Knife Co. complex, which became Schrade after the Baers did some consolidation. That's about the only building left now, which also houses a window manufacturing company. (Canal Street Cutlery utilizes the rear building). The newer Schrade plant is of course still there, apparently the owners are having a hard time finding a buyer for such a huge structure.

In Walden, the only things left are the old Walden Knife Co./Keen Kutter buildings, which were converted to the Thruway Shopping Center many years ago. They still look the same though, especially when viewed from above. New York Knife Co is long gone, replaced by condos, The old Schrade plant is gone as well, now woods and a Dunkin' Donuts stand in it's place. Walden has gone from being the Sheffield of the West to having nothing to do with knives anymore, really a shame IMO. There are still signs that pop up unexpectedly though, whenever there's a very substantial drought, the level of the Wallkill River drops considerably, and you see remnants of the old grind wheels laying in the mud that were tossed out the windows of NYK Co. when they were too worn to use

Same for Napanoch (a mile or so from Ellenville), the old Napanoch building burnt down nearly a hundred years ago I guess, no sign of it whatsoever now.

Eric

If you want to see the Old Camillus factory, which closed 3 years ago this coming February (2010), you had better get up to Camillus NY soon.
Tom Williams told me that someone is getting ready to convert one of the Camillus buildings into a mall of retail shops.


Dale

wow, sad...thanks for the info.
wonder what you can see from google earth?
Still may be worth the trip I'm only 3-4 hours away.
Then there were a few in Connecticut too right?

Its hard to believe how many things are NOT made here anymore.
the unemployment rate reflects this of course..

The Cattaraugus factory still stands in Little Valley, NY, vacant and getting overgrown. July 2009 visit.

Great! The Catt building is one I REALLY want to see although I'm 5 hours away.
Can you just walk up to it without anyone bothering you?

Yes you can. You can even lease it and move in. No one occupies it now.

hahaha! nice!...Don't think the wife would go along with that one!
Imagine though..If that place could only talk?
I just found out someone has been trying to do something with it for a couple years,wanting to make a museum?,
Also It's somewhat of a Little superfund site and the EPA has been there cleaning up.
Still like to see it though and the Case bros house's...

I just got this address for the old Pal Blade factory in Plattsburgh NY, courtesy of the town history, John Kreuger:

>Paul,
>
>The Pal Blade Company was located at 70-72 South River Street. The street name has been changed since 1934, and is now called Durkee Street. >The factory was located approximately where the Durkee Street parking lot is today. Hope this helps with your search.
>
>John Krueger

Too bad, nothing left but a parking lot.

Utica Cutlery Co. is still in production at:
820 Noyes Street, Utica, NY 13502

The Camillus plant was at:
W Genesee St, Camillus, NY 13031