















Thank you for your help Sir. I don't remember your name but I remember it's not Ralph.RalphAlsip wrote:Rick, I don't have any tang stamp pictures handy, but the text below might be useful.
KA-BAR Knives and dating them
1898-Tideoute Cutlery Co. formed in Tiedoute, PA
1902-Factory purchased by Wallace Brown, Started in Tideoute, PA as Union Razor Company
Union Razor Company, Tideoute mark used 1902-1909 (Equivalent in Case language--Case Brothers, W. R. Case &SON)
Union Cutlery Co. Tideoute marked knives were only made 1898-to approx. 1912. (Equivalent in Case language--Case Brothers, W. R. Case & Sons)
Union Cutlery Co. with North American outline 1912-1923 (Equivalent in Case language: W. R. Case & Sons, Case Bradford PA)
Union Cutlery Co. Olean, NY 1912 first used.
OLCUT, and Keenwell also used first in the 20's.
After 1923--KA-BAR on main blade, and Union Cutlery Co. Olean, NY on either the back of the blade if a single blade, or on one of the smaller blades. These will be referred the Union mark. If I state the Union mark it means the blade will be stamped "Union Cutlery Co. Olean, NY" (Equivalent in Case Language: Case Tested)
After 1952 Union Cutlery Co. is no longer marked on the knives. (Equivalent in Case Language: XX and USA)
Kabar, USA was changed to in 1951
In the 70's a pattern number was added between the Kabar and the USA. (Equivalent in Case language: Case dots)
Thank you, Gunsil! I was definitely thinking they were one and the same. That sheds a whole new light on things. Much appreciated!Gunsil wrote:Union Knife Works is not to be confused with Union Cutlery Co, they were not related firms. Union Knife Works was a Platts venture in Union, N.Y. and they are marked NYC because that is where their sales offices were. Union Knife Works is a fairly rare mark as the company was only in business for a short time, Goins says 1911-1913. They are also quality knives as were most made by the Platts family.
You're welcome!! Some of their larger knives had UNION stamped deep out on the blade and I think these are really cool. I like all Union marked knives, and the ones from Union Knife Works are fairly hard to find and are treasured by those who collect knives made in NY state.Railsplitter wrote:Thank you, Gunsil! I was definitely thinking they were one and the same. That sheds a whole new light on things. Much appreciated!Gunsil wrote:Union Knife Works is not to be confused with Union Cutlery Co, they were not related firms. Union Knife Works was a Platts venture in Union, N.Y. and they are marked NYC because that is where their sales offices were. Union Knife Works is a fairly rare mark as the company was only in business for a short time, Goins says 1911-1913. They are also quality knives as were most made by the Platts family.
Awesome! Just totally awesome! I'm glad I came here to ask even though I had the name of the company confused.Gunsil wrote:You're welcome!! Some of their larger knives had UNION stamped deep out on the blade and I think these are really cool. I like all Union marked knives, and the ones from Union Knife Works are fairly hard to find and are treasured by those who collect knives made in NY state.Railsplitter wrote:Thank you, Gunsil! I was definitely thinking they were one and the same. That sheds a whole new light on things. Much appreciated!Gunsil wrote:Union Knife Works is not to be confused with Union Cutlery Co, they were not related firms. Union Knife Works was a Platts venture in Union, N.Y. and they are marked NYC because that is where their sales offices were. Union Knife Works is a fairly rare mark as the company was only in business for a short time, Goins says 1911-1913. They are also quality knives as were most made by the Platts family.