All About Pocket Knives

I spotted this Robeson key knife on Etsy... first one I've seen. I thought maybe someone here might be interested. Well overpriced IMO but I've had luck in the past negotiating prices on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/263815954/ ... ch_click=1

Anybody know about these or have one? Did other companies make them?

Dennis

I've never seen one either but here's my question: How do I know it's actually a Robeson? There are no close-ups of the tang stamp and I can't see the word "Robeson" on that thing anywhere. Doesn't mean it's not a Robeson but I'd like to see the actual word on there. Somewhere.

Maybe Charlie will chime in here and school us. It's pretty neat either way and if it was an authentic Robeson that would make it even better. I'd like to see how this plays out.

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Mike

You were right to be skeptical Mike. I contacted the owner and she said, "Gold plated Art Deco design with a May 13, 1924 patent date as the only identifying mark." Not sure why she put Robeson in the title. I also see 'STAINLESS" on the tang but that's it.

Dennis

deo-pa wrote:You were right to be skeptical Mike. I contacted the owner and she said, "Gold plated Art Deco design with a May 13, 1924 patent date as the only identifying mark." Not sure why she put Robeson in the title. I also see 'STAINLESS" on the tang but that's it.

Dennis

That's too bad. If it was indeed a scarce Robeson that would have been cool. I might have even considered it.

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Mike

Here is one I have. Sorry for the bad picture.
It has "Robeson Shuredge Rochester" on the pen blade.
And "The Rapid Electrotype Co. Cincinnati" on the key.
"Stainless Steel" on pile side of blade.
"Pat. May 13, 1924" on bail.
It also has a nail file blade.

Robeson made them and I’ve seen them that I know to be Robeson’s pattern, but with some other name on them.

I have two that are dead mint and came in an original, but unmarked, packing box and in little gold colored flannel sleeves. One is nickel, the other gold toned.

These knives were originally made and marketed to hold one’s Post Office Box key. They came with a Yale key blank installed, but Robeson arranged for a locksmith in Massachusetts to replace that if someone’s box had a lock other than Yale.

I’m not at the right computer, but I’ll post some photos in a bit. You will see that my Robeson marked knives are different in shape than the Etsy knife. That doesn’t mean Robeson didn’t make the knife.

I’m not familiar with the patent date quoted above, but it apparently belonged to Robeson, as stated in the previous post.

You will see from the pattern number that they counted the key as a blade, hence the digit "3" in the second position.

Charlie Noyes