All About Pocket Knives

Last month I was searching for vintage folders at a flea-market. I came across a Robeson that, to me, had a unusal tang stamp. It was marked: Roberson Demonstrator. The seller knew nothing about the era of manufacture. I passed on the sale even though, looking back, the price may have been a good one at 75 bucks.

When I got home I checked several reference books, but could find very little.
Goins lists the stamping as one used by Robeson, but nothing else.
Ferguson shows that the mark was used from 1900-1940, but no other explanation.
What I recall about the knife was that it was a Texas Toothpick done in rough black handles and in excellent condition.
Anyone know the significance of the Demonstrator stamp?

Paul

Ok, Charlie should be around to answer this but I think it is a Salesman's knife. Lets waito see what Charlie says though!!!

1911-1939 on this link > http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/robeson/index.php

The Robeson Demonstrator pocketknives were salesman's sample knives. Most were handled in the rough black composition material that looks like hard rubber.

Most have an escutcheon shield with the word, "ShurEdge" in script writing on it. I don't think I've ever seen that shield on anything other than the Demonstrator marked knives.

Most of these that one comes across are pretty used up.

It is not a very common stamp. In twenty some odd years of persuing Robesons, I've seen perhaps one to two dozen examples, maybe more, but I'm old and CRS.

Interestingly, I've never seen one with ink on it, nor a pattern number, that I recall.

I think 1939 is a bit late. Every pattern of Robeson I've ever seen with this stamp were older styles of knives; Eureka jack, coke bottle, English jack, toothpick.

I suspect they stopped using these a good bit before WWII. I'd be surprised if they were in use after the 1920's or early 30's. Just my opinion, though. No proof.

Here's my only example, a 3 5/8" two blade Eureka jack, and a close-up of the stamp. It has iron bolsters and liners.

Someone buffed it up before I got it.

Charlie Noyes