All About Pocket Knives

Before Little Valley.

Impressive list. Wouldn't just one good knife from each of those companies make an impressive collection.

Wayne

Looks like I'm half way there. Somehow I suspect I have the easy half. Couple of those I've never seen. ____Dave

Great list, Willy. Thank you.

I believe I have several of these brands. Praise be!

btrwtr wrote:Impressive list. Wouldn't just one good knife from each of those companies make an impressive collection.

Wayne

Very impressive Wayne.

btrwtr wrote:Impressive list. Wouldn't just one good knife from each of those companies make an impressive collection.

Wayne

Thanks Willie. And Wayne, it would make Willie's post even better if folks will post pics of any knives from this list. There's several common ones but there's at least three on there that I've never seen.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote:

btrwtr wrote:Impressive list. Wouldn't just one good knife from each of those companies make an impressive collection.

Wayne

Thanks Willie. And Wayne, it would make Willie's post even better if folks will post pics of any knives from this list. There's several common ones but there's at least three on there that I've never seen.

Ken

I figure I have 13 of the makers on the list;here are some of them.The pictures have descriptions of what knives are in them. I'll see if I can find pics of all of them.

Wow Ray, impressive. Should have known you'd have most of them.

Ken

Thanks a lot OW.

..wlf, I'm droolin' over that batch!!!!..beautiful!!!............ .............

knife7knut wrote:

Mumbleypeg wrote:

btrwtr wrote:Impressive list. Wouldn't just one good knife from each of those companies make an impressive collection.

Wayne

Thanks Willie. And Wayne, it would make Willie's post even better if folks will post pics of any knives from this list. There's several common ones but there's at least three on there that I've never seen.

Ken

I figure I have 13 of the makers on the list;here are some of them.The pictures have descriptions of what knives are in them. I'll see if I can find pics of all of them.

...k7k.....what pattern is the 3 line Camillus in the 4th picture????....... ............

Owd Wullie wrote:Before Little Valley.

...was Adolph kastor still importing everything from Germany in 1882??..I thought Camillus started in the u.s. in1876???............ ...........

carrmillus wrote: ...k7k.....what pattern is the 3 line Camillus in the 4th picture????....... ............

It is an equal end jack with somewhat unusual stamps.The master blade is a straight 3 line stamp and the pen blade is an arched stamp.Here are some closeups.It also has half stops which is why I have both blades open at once.

The list Willie posted was of actual manufacturers. It does not include importers.

Consequently, Robeson Cutlery Company, founded in 1876, is not on the list, as they did not begin to manufacture their own knives until after 1891, when the recently enacted tariffs on imported cutlery made it expedient to do so.

Kastor Bros, I don't think, had a U.S. based manufacturing facility until they bought the Sherwood/Bingham plant in Camillus, NY, about 1900. I don't think "Camillus Cutlery Co" existed until after that. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The most impressive collection based on that list would consist of a knife from each maker listed, but from circa 1882, +/-, say prior to 1890.

I suspect collector and author Philip Pankowicz might have such a collection.

We might could assemble a digital collection here of such knives.

Charlie Noyes

knife7knut wrote:

carrmillus wrote: ...k7k.....what pattern is the 3 line Camillus in the 4th picture????....... ............

It is an equal end jack with somewhat unusual stamps.The master blade is a straight 3 line stamp and the pen blade is an arched stamp.Here are some closeups.It also has half stops which is why I have both blades open at once.

..I've got several with that tang stamp combination, almost all are ebony wood handled like yours!!..the tangs appear to be wide enough for the straight line stamp, I've never understood why they were stamped like that???..... ........

I have fewer of these stamps than I originally thought. I have some of the brands but not the place of origin stated in the list. I thought it was important to be true to the list for this thread.

Empire
New York
Excelsior
Holly
Southington
Waterville
Northfield
Union
Miller Bros.

I believe there is a good chance most all the knives I listed are pre 1900, excepting the Waldens,NYK, and the top Empire knife.

The shape of the spey (including swedges) used in the farmers jack pattern will indicate an early knife. The lack of a catch bit,bone dye,jigging ,weight,size are also factors involved.

Absolute proof though is a match in a catalog cut.

Very nice assortment of some old knives Joe.

wlf wrote:I believe there is a good chance most all the knives I listed are pre 1900, excepting the Waldens,NYK, and the top Empire knife.

The shape of the spey (including swedges) used in the farmers jack pattern will indicate an early knife. The lack of a catch bit,bone dye,jigging ,weight,size are also factors involved.

Absolute proof though is a match in a catalog cut.

...wlf, that one is a real treasure!!!..love the handles on that one!!!..... ..........

Me too ,and you can call me Lyle ,Tommy.

Thank you, Lyle. That Ulster is a real beauty.

Joe, Thanks for posting all those fine knives. Classic pic of them all on that list,too.

Lyle, That Ulster looks to be in great condition. The bone on that one is amazing. I bet you are proud to own that Ulster.

Steve

Thanks Joe and Steve.

I am blessed Steve.It is in amazing condition for it's age,probably due to having no snap on the pruner.

Tony Bose said it probably was flawed steel in the back spring, being maybe unused.

Here is my contribution to the list.