Continental Coke Bottle

[rcwar56]

This is my first time here although I've used it for a reference many times. If I'm in the wrong place, which is highly likely, I'd appreciate it if someone guided me to the correct place. My issue is a while back as I was browsing knives on eBay I came across a Continental that was just about to end so I threw in a bid I was sure would never prevail but it did. Really the first time I looked at it and immediately thought this is one of those too good to be true moments. I have quite a bit of knife knowledge but relatively none on Continentals although I own two. I've searched everywhere to find another but have been unsuccessful. Everything seems right to me comparing it to the few Coke bottles I could find but everything seems copacetic. Only thing I did notice is the candy stripe scales sit a little low to three of the bolsters. That and the fact that it just looks too good and especially at the amount I paid for it. I'm not sure if I can upload a couple of pics on this forum or not. But I'd like for some of the more knowledgable enthusiasts to give me an opinion. It is a swell center Coke bottle pattern but the frame is 5 1/8" and not 5 1/4". I don't know if Continental ever made one with candy striped scales. Again the frame looks correct, the blade looks right, the match strike nail pull is correct, the stamping looks correct in shape but not stamped very hard. I've read bout many fake Continentals so I'm assuming this may be another. I don't regret buying it for the price I paid but I need more knowledgable opinions. Thanks....and I don't see a way to upload photos here

[RobesonsRme.com]

Continental, New York knives were made by The Robeson Cutlery Company in Perry, New York (factory) and Rochester, New York (corporate/shipping).

I've never seen a Continental coke bottle folding hunter with anything other than bone or ebony handles.

I'm reasonably sure the handles on your knife are replacements.

Robeson did put yellow celluloid on some of their 118 coke bottles, but I've never seen one with any kind of patterned celluloid.

I, personally, do not have a Continental coke bottle, but here are two Robeson marked examples.

Charlie Noyes

[rea1eye]

Looks like a nice knife.

Can you look at it when you get it and return it if you

thought you were misrepresented?


Bob

[peanut740]

I will concur with Charlie that the handles have been replaced. Handles look to be in much better shape compared to the rest of the knife. Candy striped celluloid is bad to outgas so keep an eye on them.

[Mumbleypeg]

I'm certainly no expert on Continental or Robeson either. Candy stripe celluloid handle material is still available and in fact saw some for sale on eBay within the past year. Assuming this knife was rehandled, IMHO it's a shame whoever did it didn't restore it with something authentic to the original knife. Hope you weren't burned too badly, and welcome to AAPK. Don't be bashful about posting in the future!

Ken

[rcwar56]

I fortunately paid almost nothing for this knife. I would never make a serious bid on any knife I hadn't properly vetted days ahead. As I said I threw in a very low bid and was shocked when i won it and when I received I just felt something was wrong. I agree it's unfortunate about the handles because the rest of the knife is in such good shape. At least I removed it from the marketplace for all time. Thanks for everyone's input.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Are there two pin holes inside the front liner to indicate there was a shield on it originally?

Most Continental coke bottle jacks had an escutcheon shield.

You might consider having the knife handled with ebony or ebonized pear wood and including an escutcheon shield if the holes for one are present.

That, at least, would be a proper restoration.

Charlie Noyes