All About Pocket Knives

I picked up a Western 442 a while back that got me interested in small traditional folders. I already had a few and started watching ebay for more. Over a couple of months, I put together this small collection of small knives. Left to right - Western 442, Camillus 33, Bower 32, Hi Carbon Steel, Camillus 49, Bear 219R, Schrade 108OT, Boker 8288, Camillus 77, Bear 220R. The Western and the Camillus tuxedo are both a hair over 3 inches, the remainder are 3 inches or less. The tuxedo is hardly something I would use for anything beyond cutting a string, but all the others are true small working knives. The Schrade is definitely the toughest and heaviest of the lot, while the Boker is at the other end, very lightly built on a small frame. All the knives are American made, except the Bower, which is German. There used to be a lot of variety available in small knives. I think the profit margins must be better for the bigger knives, because it seems like the few makers still standing concentrate more on them. Still plenty of used copies of these little fellers out there to find, though.

Nice collection

Small knives dont get much respect, nor do they bring the money large knives do

Dimitri is exactly right. Most collectors are men and most men want a 4 inch knife.
It is my belief that it is much more difficult to make a small knife than it is to make a large one, but since I don't make any, I can't be for sure.

Ray

Great showing. I've got a smattering of all sizes, but I still highly favor smallish pen knives around 3" or less closed length.

Is your knife roll homemade? Looks like a nice one.

nice little knives trail.
I like those little fellers for days of light cutting duty. Very comfortable in the pocket. And you can't use it if you don't carry it!
You probably already know that the little Boker 8288 was made circa 1980-1982.

I love that little Boker. I still have my fathers. It is the knife he carried for years.

Here are three more small pens - an R.J. Richter from Germany, a Schrade 104OT that I have been carrying a lot lately, and a just acquired Kabar.

Trail, nice collection love the old tuxedos they were so popular way back when..........

Nice bunch of knives,Trail. The smaller ones do carry very well. Nice roll too.

Wosey, those are some beautiful knives and great photography. Thanks guys for the comments. I can remember as a youngster it seemed like all the old men carried little pen knives that they would use to clean and pare their fingernails, poke knots out of shoestrings, open letters and just generally get the job done. A lot of ladies carried a little pearl handled knife in their purse. I find that most of the men in my office still carry some kind of small pen knife, either an old Case that grampa gave them or a victorinox. The guys out on the floor carry wicked big tacticals.

Here's a nice Cattaraugus I just got. Unsharpened.

Nice little Catt Joe

Thanks Dimitri,
I have to say, it's one of my nicer knives.

Can I see it with the blades open