All About Pocket Knives

I just picked up this custom bone trapper at a flea market today. It is 4 1/4" closed and the handles are held on by dovetail bolsters. A very well built trapper. I was wondering if anyone has any idea what the letter and number stampings on the tangs mean. The KDW is where the maker would normally be so I assume that would be someone"s initials but the other marking on the tangs I have no idea. Wondered if they might indicate the blade steel?? Any help would be appreciated.

Tom

THAT IS A WEIRD ONE - markings

DANG NICE LOOKIN KNIFE!

Looks like a hand made knife maybe. the blades are stamped with individual stamps or it seems like to me. The initials are probably the makers name. Not much help just my own thoughts. Terry

I suspect you are right, Terry.
There was a maker in San Angelo, Texas who applied his handles like this one. I can't recall the name but I do recall that he was a metallurgist.

Ray

Thanks, Terry, JB, and Ray.
That's how I was leaning as well. Just thought that the numbers or letters on the blades might have some meaning that was standard with knife makers. I appreciate your opinions.
Tom

Paladin wrote:I suspect you are right, Terry.
There was a maker in San Angelo, Texas who applied his handles like this one. I can't recall the name but I do recall that he was a metallurgist.

Ray

Was it Dick Van Sickle? He was from San Angelo and did some custom Randall's back in the late 1950's and early 60's.

I checked with HiPower as he seldom forgets anything, unlike me. He says the guys name was Hoffman so the initials wouldn't fit. He had been a gunsmith prior to making knives.

Ray

Looks like a well made knife.

Don't know about the "K D W", but I get the impression the other numbers might have been on the metal before it was turned into knife blades, because they don't seem to make sense, they run into and off the edges of the tang.

Don't know what they might have been before they were turned into knife blades.

Levine's lists a Kenneth Dale Ward, in Auburn, California and a Kenneth Webb in Sands Spring, OK, as custom makers.

Charlie

I ran across a sheath knife and bought it on EBay. Same initials and a small number stamped on the blade. I really would like to find the maker.

Looks like Kenneth Dale Ward was very active. Maybe we can find some of his knives on the net? Can anyone look this up? I'm not a paid subscriber.

https://knifemagazine.com/knife-makers/ ... -ken-ward/

It amazes me how many very good knife makers there are who have not become widely known. There are lots of custom F.B.'s and quite a few custom folders 'out there' with either no markings or like O.P. knife, just initials. What is impressive is that some of these knives are as well made as the knives by known & well regarded makers.
kj

My mother's cousin, made this knife and alot more. His name is kenneth woosley, he is from Winchester ky. I am not sure if it the same makers mark but looks similar to me.

Hoffmann7432 wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 4:51 am My mother's cousin, made this knife and alot more. His name is kenneth woosley, he is from Winchester ky. I am not sure if it the same makers mark but looks similar to me.

Beautiful knife.

Houston Price lists a Ken Ward on Cheyenne St. in Las Vegas 89108 and a Kevin Wright, 671 Leland Valley Rd, W., Quilcene, WA, 98376 Neither lists a middle initial. J.O'.

I have found many custom knives with excellent workmanship and the maker is known except for the area they worked. Tracking down who
Made em is a daunting challenge in many cases. I see folks making very nice knives and selling them for $100-500. I buy because I like, not cause I think they will increase in value. In fact most unknown makers have little secondary market. That knife you bought for $300 will bring $20-50 on your estate sale. Sad but true.

So, my grandfather was ken/Kenneth ward, from auburn and las Vegas from the people that found his info. He was a hunting knife maker and I never saw him make any pocket knives unless it was his early makes. His mark had "ken ward" on them. So unless this is an early make, I dont think its him. Ill see if my uncle knows.