All About Pocket Knives

Hi,
From what I've read on this forum, I have a Carpenter's knife circa 1940-64.
Model number is 132433.
This knife was in bad shape when I got it. Cleaned it up a bit but didn't want to go too far as to ruin it's "vintage" look.
It is stamped ROBESON / SUREDGE / USA (stamp is faint).
I'm trying to narrow down the year of manufacture.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks....Bruno

I don't have a definite answer but I would say your knife predates knives of the same pattern that have the plain block letter "ROBESON" shields.

Robeson made this knife for a good number of years with variations of shields and handle material. Early knives would have ebony handles and gimp type shields. The later made knives would have the plain "ROBESON" shield and black plastic handles. Your knife has a shield that I think would fall between the early gimp type and later "ROBESON" shields. The later knives also have short straight pulls and tumble polished blades. Best guess mid 50's to mid 60's. Are the handles on your knife wood or plastic?

Charlie might have a better feel for a production date.

Looks like a pretty nice example showing some honest use. Is there something under the master blade kick that is keeping it from closing fully?

Wayne

Thanks for the reply Wayne.
The handles are composite. Nothing under the kick. Over the years of sharpening, the blade probably was shortened enough to allow it to ride high.

Actually, that shield was used on knives that were being made just before Robeson went out of business, in my opinion.

The plain blocked letter ROBESON shields were used beginning about 1948, the same time strawberry bone was introduced.

Robeson had some logos and advertising campaigns designed by a modern art style graphic artist, whose name escapes me at the moment, and they were used on boxes, display cases, kitchen cutlery mounting boards and cases, etc.

That ShurEdge logo with the arrow was one of his designs and they created a shield with it, as well.

Wayne's dates, however, are correct, late 50's, say 1959 to 1965.

I have a couple of knives, a whittler and an equal end cattle pattern with that shield. Both have pressure molded, "jigged" black composition handles.

Also have a period display case with the logo and a three piece carving set in a ShurWood or Paccawood case.

I think I've seen the logo on a catalog and one some magazine advertising.

Charlie

Nice old knife!

Randy

The designer's name was Paul Rand (interesting), but not the politician.

Here are three magazine spreads from the time.

These will expand with two left clicks.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie. I appreciate all the info. I also have a bare head jack that I'll post as soon as I can take a few pics of it.

Hi - new to the forum here. Appreciate all the information to be found.

This model in particular led me over here, as I've a couple that are pretty worn. I've been trying to learn more about it myself, so your thread was very helpful.

As its a pattern a bit out of the norm, I've been considering getting a modern replica made for a daily carry knife. I think it'd be pretty cool. Use ebony on it. And keep the exact look as it looked new. As much as possible anyway.

Thanks!

Joe