All About Pocket Knives

Hey folks, my stepfather passed a year ago and he had always been an old "trader of knives". SO i have just started looking at some of these. Britney Spears is better than me on knowledge of these I am sure. As I dig thru these I could sure use some help. I have found a couple that say cattaraugus. Oneis a 2 blade witk what looks like ivory,stag or something simiar. Numbers on blade are 22258. The other is a 2 blade black "wood" composition with no numbers that I can find. ALSO, A candy stripe, I guess, Valco with the word Indianapolis under the name. Can you please help me on these? I do not currently have a digital camera, but will soon. Thanks and I will keep in touch with questions on the others.

the valco is a stamp used by valor corp., 1970 - present. they imported from ger., jap., and pak.
can't shed light on the cats. when you get a camera post some pics! do you have a scanner with your computer? if so, you can get great images from it.

Actually the valco you mentioned, might be a Vancamp hardware knife based out of Indianapolis, Indiana

van camp used ben hur, capitol. valco is the shortened VALor COrporation. maybe a contract knife?

VANCO was a trademark that was used by Van Camp Hardware on their "lower end" knfe lines. The marking is shown in old Van Camp catalogs. The ones that I have seen and owned appear to be contract made by Imperial (1920's era) solid bolsters and celluloid handles.

Hi Rudyboy,

The Catt. 22258 would be a 2-blade, swell-end jack, bolsters at both ends, with smooth, white bone handles. Spear master and a pen blade.

In absolutely mint condition, the book value is "guesstimated" at $285. But, I sure wouldn't pay that. Without seeing the knife, no one can accurately appraise it.

If it were me, I'd just hang onto it, as a rememberance of the old man.

Take Care,
JR

Even without a digital camera you can post photos via a scanner.