All About Pocket Knives

Just got this item today - it's like going back 70 years, in time. It's brand-spanking new, still in the gift box, with tissue paper around it.

I honestly don't know how it survived, without the least speck of rust, but it's just like it was, when someone must have received it, as a Christmas present, or something, back in the 1930's.

The kit is enclosed in a suede-lined leather case, with a brass zipper. Curiously, the zipper is stamped "Walden, USA" ?

I have no idea how to do a "look-up" on a Patent Nr., if someone could help me, the Pat.Nr. is 2, 391, 732 ? Any info would be greatly appreciated, guys.

Thanks for looking,

JR

HI JR. That is a very cool tool set . Here is a link for patent searches. I put in your number and it seems the patent number refers to the can opener and was granted in 1945.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm

s-k

I tried to find your patent but no luck. I use the google patent search. If you go to http://www.google.com and then click on "more" at the top it lets you search the patent site. I tried several combination and found nothing on your knife. Maybe the pat. numbers were wrong on the posting??? I did find the same thing that SK did. SK try this way with patents, MUCH easier than yours.
direct link
http://www.google.com/patents?id=IapKAA ... 32#PPP1,M1

But no luck with other combinations yet either. Let me know if you find it. Hope this helps

NICE kit

Nice snag on the kit Ringmaster.

Great that it was still in the gift box.



Did anyone see this one ? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=011

It was a buy it now. I gave it some thought, as I found it hours before it sold, but one tool seems to be missing, and the case was shot.

It was a little out of my league, but might have been a good buy for someone interested in this sort of thing.

Fran

Probably not a bad price on the old Nap. Ringmaster nice set!

Stockman

Thanks guys,

I've saved that patent search - that's a great tool ! That Mirando guy was really sharp, wasn't he ? I knew he was a big "player", in the cutlery business, but didn't realize he held a patent. In my next life, maybe I'll come back smart ?

I guess the little tool kit isn't quite as old as I thought. Phil Krumholz (only reference I had), dated it to the 30's. At any rate, it's in a heckuva lot better shape than I am !

Pa Knives, I've got several magazines with your name on 'em - can you email me your address ? [email protected]

Smiling JR

Nice set Ringmaster, I have a similar set but with a press stud case. Mine didn't have the paper instructions. Would it be possible to post a scan of the instructions?
Thanks Greyelm

Greyelm,

I'm sorry pal, I don't own a scanner - but I'll take the best picture of the instructions that I can (actually, it's only one small page - more like an advertisement).

Got a coupla things going on tonite, I'll get it tomorrow.

I'd like to see your case, too ? I'm still drooling over this one - it's just like brand new.

Standby,

JR

nice set JR, looks alot like mine!

This is mine. Not mint but pretty good apart from blemishes caused by the leather. Greyelm

Here ya go, Greyelm - this is the best I could do for you.

I'm impressed with both of you guys sets. MM, yours looks practically new, as well ! And I like that rosewood handle on Greyelm's. Does your can opener have the patent stamped on it ?

Good Sunday morning, everyone !

JR

Thanks JR. My set doesn't have a can opener, it has a cap lifter with an extension that could be a cork puller. No patent numbers on any tool only a tang stamp on the knife blade. Could mine be earlier than yours?

Thanks again
Greyelm

RM:
Thanks for the post and the document. Think maybe the reason they stay in great shape is not much call for driving tiny nails. Since the advent of ebay so many of these have came out of the woodwork that about half or more of value has been scrubbed off. I don't know that the tools have ever been out of this one much. There is a bit of scabbing but I think it is all surface with one exception. They are great little kits.
moss

Hmmm,

We're gonna hafta ask the other members, for some help with your question. If I was guessing, yours would be the earlier knife, but I just don't know. We might be looking at two models, produced during the same time period, also.

Aside from the different handles, the tang stamps are slightly different.
Mine sez:
UTICA
Cutlery Co.
Utica, N.Y.
U.S.A.

And yours is:
UTICA
Cutlery Co.
Utica, N.Y.
MADE IN U.S.A.

If somebody has a reference, showing the diff. stamps, perhaps we can get a date ?

Befuddled JR

WOW ! Another good one...

Thanks, Moss, for showing yours. I think you're right, the ones that have survived just weren't used that much. If a person tried to put that little hammer to serious use, the whole thing would probably self-destruct.

I noticed that the zipper on all three of the zipper cases shown, is slightly different, also. And, MM's set has that "rich Corinthian leather" look, about it.

I think they're all just about as cute as a speckled pup.

JR

My latest acquisition

what brand is it? utica? cool tools.

I haven't received it yet. It is said to be Utica and it certainly looks similar to other Utia tool sets that I have. Note the fold over divider, I haven't seen this before.

Tool kits have always been undervalued in my opinion except for the Napanoch ones.The various German kits are equal in quality and can get really complex.A lot of them have various types of pliers(nippers,etc.)and rulers contained in their leather cases.Some have two handles and the blades can be installed either in the normal position or at 90 degrees for a corkscrew or to get leverage on a screwdriver.

I have quite a few sets and most of the leather ones are deteriorated pretty badly.Some were missing the handle which I have had great luck in finding replacements.Most people think they are just broken knives and usually toss them.

A lot of the German ones are marked simply D.R.G.M.(similar to a patent mark).I have one marked Salm and another by Bonsa as well as several Imperial and Utica models.Even have a set that goes on a key chain.Not very practical but cute and still has the instructions.

Here's some pictures in no particular order.

Great collection, I'm envious. I agree about them being undervalued, but that does give us the chance of getting our hands on them. I just remembered that I have an unused zipper kit with pearl effect handles and stainless tools, the paper instructions in English has the name 'Advergi' . I will try and get a picture and post it later this week. I can't find anything with this name on google. All the tools are still wrapped in tissue paper and obviously have never been used.

Thanks for the kind words greyelm.Please post a picture of it when you get a chance and we'll see if we can identify the maker.

It seems as though the majority of tool kits were of German manufacture.Not sure who was the first to patent the idea.The 2 great collectible USA versions are the Napanoch and the Nagle ReBlade.The latter is exceedingly rare and would probably require a second mortgage to pay for it should one ever come up for auction.

I've seen some interesting variations on e-Bay but most were way out of my price range.