All About Pocket Knives

The wife and I went to a good gun and knife show today. I was looking at a nice nice XX green bone toothpick and the owner said that they were only made in 1940 and 1941. Is this right? If it is, I'm embarrassed to say that I wasn't aware of it. I knew they were harder to find than the red bone toothpicks are. I thought since it had the XX stamp, they were made between 1940-1964. No, I didn't buy it but I did come home with some other goodies and I will try to post pics of them next week.

James

which pattern was it?

It was the large 61098 toothpick Johnnie.

James

hey james, out of five reference books, only one shows the 098 in green bone and it is pre-forty. am i missing something.

I don't know Johnnie. I have seen several 098's with the XX stamp and green bone handles. Thanks for looking in your books. I couldn't find any definate answers in my books either.

James

Hi James, I don't recall seeing the 098 toothpick post dating the tested era, but if you think you have then I suggest the trusty ol' ruler. First Case Knives both in the tested era and the early portion of the XXera are usually without pattern numbers so it could be that your knife is a 61093, since at 5in. long closed it is only one half in. shorter than the 5 1/2in. 098 tooth pick. Measure and see
Gary

Gary, I bet your right. It probably was the 093 toothpick. I have a hard time trying to keep pattern numbers straight and I have a lot to learn about the old Case knives. I have a 093 red bone XX toothpick. I just now looked at it and it seems to be identical to the green bone that I saw yesterday except for the color. If that is right, was the owner telling me that the green bone was only made in 1940-1941 correct? Thanks for helping me clear this up.

James

James, about all I can say in regards to your question concerning whether or not the green bone tooth pick was made only in 40 0r 41 is that it is generally believed that XX era knives with green bone handles are transition knives from early in the XX era. There are many people now who believe the tested era ran to 1945 or maybe a little later, and although it took along time to teach this old dog that new trick I am finally coming around to that way of thinking. The more you look at world war 2 era tested stamped knives the harder it is to deny. I can't tell you the exact years Case used green bone on that pattern or any other and doubt very seriously that anyone can.
Take Care
Gary

Thanks Gary and Johnnie.

James