All About Pocket Knives

Hey Pa Knives---
What kind of knife is that a picture of that shows up with your name? Just wondering? Is it a PA knife?

HEY!

As much as I would like to think that it is a rare Binns & Mason made in Pittsburgh around the 1880's, in actuallity I am not really sure. Our host had several photos available for avatars and I choose this one because it did remind me of an old PA knive. I am ashamed to admit that I am a fraud. ALTHOUGH, Byran might be able to tell me what it is and save my dignity here! enquireing minds want to know???? What is it??

Let me guess? I think it is a Remington, older style, one of those with the circle, and it may just be a style similar to the r4473. How'd I do?

Hey, this could be a fun game . Any other guesses about what the knife is? I know what it is only because I own it

Bryan

Oops, on second thought, I'm not sure what it is. It looks almost like one we have here, but the shield on the one we have is in the center of the knife, not as close to the bolster as yours. And I just want you to know if I ever find the kind of knife you are looking for---I'd probably be your new best friend, huh? Just kidding! But hey we hit up a lot of flea markets, so you just never know.... too bad I don't know what one looks like. (Hint: do you have a picture of one?)

hmmmm I think Pa knives didn't know because maybe it is a NY knife ??? Methinks I might be on to something there. See this site is teaching me some things after all! I know more about knives than my hubby! He admits it too! I wish that meant I won something <sigh>

YOU mean they actually made knives somewhere else besides Pennsylvania??


Bryan, I think your idea is great. Have a thread that has a mystery knife photo, show everything but the tang stamp and lets see who identifies it first. Of course you can only use Pennsylvania knives so that I have a chance!!!!!

OK, I'll take a swing...

I'm gonna say that it looks like one of two possibilities to me...but I'll go with a Ka-Bar Whittler. Just guessing here.

Bill

Asking someone to identify a knife with that small of an image is just not fair. Here is a bigger image. I'll bet someone gets it with this one.

Bryan

Since I'm not paying for these guesses, and I have no shame.....

How about a Cattaraugus?

Bill

Hurry up folks, I've only got about 200 other guesses.....

Bill

My guess is NYK although I am sure they copied the pattern from a PA company no doubt

Yep Yep Yep...

It's a Cattaraugus. Pattern number 32869 split backspring sleeveboard whittler.

Nice one Bill

Bryan

Bryan,

Please send the knife to me for positive verification. I'll return it after a short period of time.
(Short in relation to the paleolithic period, that is ).

Just kidding.

bILL

Oh yes, that IS what I was going to say---just didn't know how to spell it Believe that one, and I'll tell you another!!! Aren't those Cattaraugus made in NY???? Do I half win?

Yes, Cattaragus was made in New York. Beautiful knife I might add, I wish that I had money to buy one.

HEY, I guessed it was made in New York, but Cat's came from Pa orginally. So I should wind something too!!!!!!

Now here's another question about that knife, or rather the maker. What would the markings be on a knife made by that company? Or isn't it as simple as that? I know I must sound pretty dumb about these things, but I HAVE learned a lot since I started my quest. Its just there is SO MUCH to know, and even though I already know more than my husband it still isn't enough to catch up to you guys.

Hi Deb,

For me, the biggest giveaway on this knife (without seeing the tang) would be the bone handle (color / jigging). I tried to find a good picture of a Cattaraugus tang stamp, but the attached is the best I could come up with... This one is the most common you will see. It has Cattaraugus in an arch. The next most common would have the Cattaraugus name in a straight line.

Bryan

HEY PEOPLE!

If your looking for a great old collectable knife, this company is a stand out. I have visited the old factory area a couple of times. This region is really rich in cutlery history. Old Cat knives are increasing in value considerably. Many patterns to chose from and not super hard to find, but getting there. I suggest you look at some books that are just on CAT's. There are several variations on the tang stamps and the handles are always gorgeous.

AS you can tell people I am trying to convince her to get into the old time stuff like me. There is just something about this old knives that gets my blood going. The quality is always top knotch. This is a great place to ask questions about them. EBAY is a good source to view many knives and get a feel for their prices. Remember that there are new CAT's too, from Arkansas. Great quality but not orginal old time knives. Byran has a great section on this site that gives links and history on these company. He always has help for us. Now if I could just get him to realize that PA knives are by far the best HA HA HHA HA

OK I'm done on this one.

Well thank you gentlemen! I will be sure to look out for these knives when I'm snooping through some sales. I know what PA Knives means about the old ones though. You can almost feel the history in them. You might think I'm silly, but I always wonder who owned them. What they were used for--did the owner take them to different places. Was the knife carried in a war, was it given to them by a favorite relative? Okay, enough rambling--just wanted to say thanks for the lesson!