All About Pocket Knives

Hello All:
As the weather turns, the opportunities diminish. You gotta get what there is. This to me is the fun time of the year. Got an even half dozen this week.
The first or top is a Boker USA. On pile side it is stamped 93 on left side and 61 on right side of tree trunk. Looks to be unofficial scout knife, has broken can opener blade.
#2 is a 21/4" senator with just BOKER on the tang. Broken small pen.
#3 is rather unique, a 31/8 senator with a trademark of samco in a diamond from Nashville USA. Missing one shadow bolster.
#4 is a schrade 34ot that just needs cleaning up.
#5 is an oxy moron if ever there was. A two bladed congress marked american k.co. Japan. It must be a DIET.
#6 A small jack Marked Henkle(spelling correct) & joyce hardware. An older made for the store in Lincoln Ne. Out of business in 1934.
The Tang stamps are left to right top to bottom.
Any dates of manufacture or era's or other responses will be welcome.
It's amazing to me that all of the handles are in good condition.
moss

’Morning WB,
I have some info on #3, #4, #5 & #6.

Trade Mark Samco (inside a diamond ) is a marking used by Sanders Mfg. Co of Nashville TN, according to Goins’. It was current when he published that version of his book in 1998. Not much else on it though.

AMERICAN KNIFE CO JAPAN c. 1960-1980
“A trademark used by Cole National.” – Goins’
No further info in Goin’s on Cole National.

Schrade 34OT
That would have been made in 1973 or later (since it does not have the Walden name on it) and could have been made up until 2004 when Schrade closed.

Also from Goins’:
HENKLE & JOYCE HDW. CO. MADE IN USA
c. 1900-1939. A hardware company located in Lincoln MB. “Most probably, all knives with this marking were made prior to 1933.”


I hope this helps some,
Dale

Howdy boys,

That 34OT (Middleman) looks like it may be missing the sheepsfoot blade ...or is it just hiding??
Still looks like a good user.

Cole National was originally known for leasing space in stores and making/cutting keys. Then, in addition, for optical businesses (recently Pearle) in the stores. Of course they were also known for buying Ka-Bar from Robinson Knife Company in 1966.

Bill

Hi Moss,

About that SAMCO...

I have a few like yours. I keep an eye on them just cause my last name is Sanders and my family came up from Tennessee. I've not found any direct connections to my family however.

I believe their main gig was advertising knives. They are still around, but I believe they are now involved in advertising solutions only. No knife production to my knowlege.

I've read somewhere that they made some magician's knives that are somewhat collectible. I have never seen any of those. The knives I do have seem to be very well made to me. Purchase price was always under $10.

Bryan

El Lobo wrote:Howdy boys,

Cole National was originally known for leasing space in stores and making/cutting keys. Then, in addition, for optical businesses (recently Pearle) in the stores. Of course they were also known for buying Ka-Bar from Robinson Knife Company in 1966.

Bill

Thanks Lobo,
I didn't know that Cole National owned Ka-Bar.
Do they still own it?
I just saw yesterday that Ka-Bar has joined up with Ethan Becker & will be making Becker Knives. I hope they do as good a job as Camillus did with the Beckers. I have 3 or 4 Camillus/Beckers & they are good quality.

Dale

Hey Dale,

Cole National lost it in the early '80s. ALCAS (at one time Alcoa-Case) owns it now. Here is a little
KA-BAR timeline, if you are interested.....

https://www.kabar.com/history.jsp

Stay well.

Bill

Thanks Bill!
Great info there.

Dale

Hi Bill:
Does this look better, more befitting a schrade.
wb

WHEW!!

I could understand that someone may have...ahem... "removed" the Spey blade... ...but, no...no... not the friendly little Sheepsfoot blade.

Thanks for setting me straight WB. That knife looks great, enjoy it my friend.

Bill

Just remember that the beginning of the KaBar timeline has some flaws in it. I couldn't help mentioning this. I hope the book will change that. I have contacted those involved and they are reviewing it as we speak.