WABASH CUTLERY

[trutemper]

HOWDY FOLKS,

RECENTLY PICKED UP A "WABASH CUTLERY" KNIFE WHICH, ACCORDING TO LEVINE, WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE BETWEEN 1921 AND 1935 IN TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA. SINCE I LIVE ABOUT 20 MINUTES FROM TERRE HAUTE, JUST ACROSS THE BORDER IN ILLINOIS, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS KNIFE COMPANY, WHAT KIND OF KNIVES THEY MADE OR SPECIALIZED IN, WHY THEY QUIT MAKING KNIVES, ETC. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK ON THIS,

THANKS, BOB
(SEE PHOTOS)

[edgy46]

Don't know a lot about Wabash Cutlery, but 1935 ending might indicate financial troubles.
Your's is only the second one I remember seeing.
Goins' encyclopeadia of cutlery markings has the same dates plus a newspaper article about them dated 3-9-21 from the Terre Haute Tribune. Sorry, but my photo skills are not good enough to show it here.
Here is my Wabash Cutlery knife.

edit Trutemper P.M. me your phone # and I will read you the newspaper article. I am on Eastern Daylight time and work day shift M. thru F.

[jerryd6818]

Mr. Rockwell 65. I know it's a little off topic but have you ever gone down to Moonshine for a Moon Burger?

That's a very nice looking little knife. Anyone have a guess if they made patterns other than the Tuxedo? Since I'm from down in Wabash River country, I'll have to keep my eye open for one.

[rigwelder]

Those or both dandy little knives,,I really enjoy the little swell center Sunday go to meeting knives!

[trutemper]

Hi Jerry D, pleasure meeting you and yep....a guy at work once drove me down there and they are still makin the best burgers in the world!! Been told you have to get there by 11am to get served cuz those old folks just cant do a full days work (or dont want to). Anyone that gets down "moonshine way" needs to check those burgers out and meet a whole lot of really nice folk. And to answer your question, yes they made other styles......but I dont know how many. I`m waiting on a little congress to come in the mail anytime now that I won on Ebay a few days ago. I`ll post some photos when time allows.
Bob

[jerryd6818]

We stopped in there last year on the way down to Cousin's Reunion in Evansville. They say the order cutoff is 12:30 pm but when we were there, they were still taking orders at ten till one. Good burger.

http://sdappert.home.mchsi.com/Moonshin ... linois.htm

There's a Wabash on eBay right now. He wants $250.

[trutemper]

Bet he doesnt get it!!

[Blade Runner]

Wabash is one of several company's that actually produced authentic KKK knives for the Klan, probably in 1920s. Not everyone's favorite subject, but they do exsist
B-R

[chetr1200c]

wasn't it petticoat junction that had the wabash caonnball train?

[edgy46]

wasn't it petticoat junction that had the wabash caonnball train?

(iirc) That was the Hooterville-Pixley try weakly They would try to run each week.

[trutemper]

Bill,


Thanks for the phone call and the Wabash Cutlery info and for the general discussion on knife collecting.....was a pleasure!

Bob

[Lawrence]

Here's a nice little Wabash Cutlery Co. I picked up. I didn't know what it was at first...the yellow handles look like they swirl when you move the knife (sort of like a hologram), and the heart shield is something I haven't seen before. It cleaned up nicely and I'm happy to have another nice piece of Americana in my collection.
cheers

[Salernoslim]

What a cool little knife Lawrence! The heart shield really sets it apart.

[edge213]

Hello fellas,
I live in Terre Haute, but I haven't heard much about Wabash Cutlery. I do spend quite a bit of time in the winter months at the library doing research on T.H.Fire Dept. history. I will look more into this in the coming months. I am also close friends with the Terre Haute/Vigo County historian. I will check with him. Hopefully I can post some info for everyone.
PS. Does anyone have one for sale?

[Paladin]

I didn't know what it was at first...the yellow handles look like they swirl when you move the knife (sort of like a hologram), and the heart shield is something I haven't seen before.

That particular handle material is called 'waterfall'.

Ray

[edgy46]

Great knife Lawrence.

[edge213]

So far....Wabash Cutlery Co. Location 811 N.22nd. St. Terre Haute IN
President-Thadius Hibbard 2220 Locust St. (1927), 1522 Locust St. (1931).
Wife- Helen
Another principal- Harry Hibbard (son?)
V.P.- Walter Slattery 1214 S. 18th. St. (1927)
Makers of "High Grade Pocket Cutlery".
Will keep investigating.
I still would like to know if anyone has one for sale.
Still need to see if any relationship to Hibbard Spencer Bartlett.