All About Pocket Knives

I have what I think was and interesting story that I wanted to share with you all. Figure 1 is a putty knife sold by Red Devil Inc. Figure 2 is a knife I found on eBay with the same markings. Figure 3 is a knife that belongs to my niece’s husband Ely, who received it from his father-in-law Max, who got it from his father Warren. So the mystery is who made the knife?

It wasn’t Red Devil Tool Inc., I’m sure of that, because it doesn’t show up in any product catalog, civilian or military that I can find and I even contacted the company for verificaiton. They said it was their “putty knife” but not their skinning knife, it was homemade by someone else. Was it Warren that made it, I don’t believe so, and here’s why. It’s not the only one out there and I don’t think he would have had or taken the time to do it. I’ve found one on eBay, listed in Spanish as a “homemade” knife. So I believe there are more than one of them and the one on eBay is almost identical. That supports my thought that they were all “homemade” and not mass produced on an assembly line.

Let’s identity the knife that’s not really a knife. My research shows this to be a Red Devil Putty Knife. The trademark on the blade of this putty knife was first used in 1948. Red Devil must have had a government contract because according to the register of federal specifications there were several putty knives listed. The P1 would indicate Putty Knife Series #1. The 1 ¼ is the width of the top of the putty knife blade in inches and the S stands for “stiff.” Also F was used for “Flexible” which meant the blade was thinner and could bend more during use. Specifications also stated that the bolster was to be made of pewter to avoid corrosion, the pins are brass and the handle was required to be either Mahogany or Cocobolo wood from Central America. Cocobolo was specified for use in the 1939 federal specifications manual and I believe this is what Red Devil was using in 1948 when I believe this putty knife was manufactured.

Warren joined the USAF in 1948 and was stationed in El Paso, TX. Is there a connection here where some Air Force personnel were using government issued putty knives from supply and turning them into a custom homemade fixed blade skinner style survival knives made from a putty knife? Personally I doubt it after interviewing several USAF old timers. Could there have been a local citizen that was getting his hands on the Red Devil putty knives and turning them into these skinning knives and making money selling them? This is more likely for the time period and location. We may never know, but I believe these two knives were made by the same person, because the shape of the blades is almost a perfect match. Right now there could be a number of these homemade knives out there in someone’s toolbox or in some old tool barn and for me they fall into a special category of “repurposeed folk art.” To me this is history and a history worth preserving.

good mystery, good story and great write-up! Putty knives and their ilk could easily make useful knives for other purposes; why not?

Very interesting! Looks like is was made in to a pretty good looking knife!!!

By pure coincidence I ran into one of these at the swap today. The seller called it a putty knife. It’s definately Red Devil. He called it rare and I guess he’s right!

That is a huge coincidence Zoogirl! Can I assume the “swap” was in B.C. Canada? If so that shows how far these knives have travelled.

Another possibility is that it was the subject of an article in a magazine like Boys Life or Popular science. “Make your own skinning knife”

Possibly even with a template to trace. You would have to seek out a Red Devil to use because of that point on the spine. All the other putty knives I have seen are just curved there without that point.

Great thread. Thanks for posting it.

Interesting thread dlr110.

As a carpenter I have been interested in putty knives for some time.
Here are some with wooden handles and tapered tangs.
A fine knife could be fashioned from these.
It's not something I would do but it could be a good start for someone.

FRJ wrote:Interesting thread dlr110.

As a carpenter I have been interested in putty knives for some time.
Here are some with wooden handles and tapered tangs.
A fine knife could be fashioned from these.
It's not something I would do but it could be a good start for someone.

Thank you Sir for your response! Very good examples that could be fashioned into a variety of different knives. I know there has to be many more out there like the one I found and it's so interesting to imagine all the different styles and shapes there could be. This is part of the reason I go to junk sales, yard sales, Trade Days etc., because there is almost always a surprise out there just like these putty "knives."

I have been haunting used, collectible and to a lesser degree, antique markets for years in my little neck of the woods.
I will keep an eye out for the "Red Devil" knife.
Thank you.

eveled wrote:That is a huge coincidence Zoogirl! Can I assume the “swap” was in B.C. Canada? If so that shows how far these knives have travelled.

Yes, it was at the Red Barn, aka the Vancouver Flea Market. This one had a sheath, which I think was homemade. I did ask the seller if he had posted it anywhere, but he said no. I know he uses EBay sometimes, so it may turn up.

zoogirl wrote:

eveled wrote:That is a huge coincidence Zoogirl! Can I assume the “swap” was in B.C. Canada? If so that shows how far these knives have travelled.

Yes, it was at the Red Barn, aka the Vancouver Flea Market. This one had a sheath, which I think was homemade. I did ask the seller if he had posted it anywhere, but he said no. I know he uses EBay sometimes, so it may turn up.

Glad you saw one too! It's amazing how creative and resourceful some people can be. I would like to find another one that has been cut differently, because I just know people have come up with different ideas. Keep looking for those old knives everyone, it's our history and yes have fun at the same time!!!

The only knife I know of that was made by Red Devil is a unique piece called the,"Jak-Nife".It can be put into three positions:closed to keep the edge from cutting someone;partially open to be used as a knife;and fully opened to be used as a putty knife.This uses a standard single edge razor blade.

That’s funny! I have one of those somewhere. It was in my tool pouch for years and saw heavy use. It held up well. Everyone who saw it wanted it. I never noticed the name or more likely forgot it.

I think they discontinued it when they made this design.

knife7knut wrote:The only knife I know of that was made by Red Devil is a unique piece called the,"Jak-Nife".It can be put into three positions:closed to keep the edge from cutting someone;partially open to be used as a knife;and fully opened to be used as a putty knife.This uses a standard single edge razor blade.

Oh my goodness!! I have never seen one like that, I'm guessing you have a good antique there so hang on to it.

eveled wrote:That’s funny! I have one of those somewhere. It was in my tool pouch for years and saw heavy use. It held up well. Everyone who saw it wanted it. I never noticed the name or more likely forgot it.

I think they discontinued it when they made this design.

EBDC39CC-A46C-40D0-B3AD-12A5561DBC66.png

Now this one I think I have in every space of my garage, but most likely not Red Devil.

Here are pictures of a Red Devil TL-29 type knife I sold recently from my AAPK store. Only one I've ever seen like it. I thought it was quite unique. Rather than a liner lock the screwdriver blade unlocked from open by depressing the master blade. S&H Co. is Smith and Hemenway Company founded in 1872.

That's a neat knife, Wayne.

Here are a few ads for Red Devil scrapers from a 1960 catalog.

Not too recently, this electrician or lineman, pattern or style of pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I bought. It now becomes my first example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT buy the group or lot of pocket knives to obtain this particular pocket knife. But, it definitely did turn out to be a keeper. It did get added to my general, pocket knife accumulation. It is a KEEN KUTTER/Red Devil, U.S. SIGNAL CORPS, one blade, one tool (wire stripper), two tang stamps, 3 5/8" closed, two springs, electrician or lineman, pattern or style of pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp has the KEEN KUTTER logo or trademark symbol and says, "E.C. SIMMONS (over) KEEN (over) KUTTER (over) ST. LOUIS (over) MO." The tool front tang stamp says, "Red Devil (over) S. & H. CO. (over) NEW YORK (over) U.S.A." The shield says, "U.S. SIGNAL CORPS" The main blade does NOT have a half stop. The main blade does have an OK opening snap. The main blade does have an OK closing snap. The tool does NOT have a half stop. The tool does have an OK opening snap. The tool does have an OK closing snap. Overall, this pocket knife is in FAIR condition. It did need a very minor cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

***** NOTE ***** NOTE ***** NOTE ***** NOTE ***** NOTE *****
The tool unlocks from the open position, by pushing down on the closed main blade.

Per GOINS (1998 Edition)…..
"RED DEVIL S & H CO. N.Y. c 1900-1956 A trademark used by Smith &
Hemenway from 1900 to 1936, and by L.P. Smith from 1936 to 1956."

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 7:30 pm Not too recently, this electrician or lineman, pattern or style of pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I bought. It now becomes my first example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT buy the group or lot of pocket knives to obtain this particular pocket knife. But, it definitely did turn out to be a keeper. It did get added to my general, pocket knife accumulation. It is a KEEN KUTTER/Red Devil, U.S. SIGNAL CORPS, one blade, one tool (wire stripper), two tang stamps, 3 5/8" closed, two springs, electrician or lineman, pattern or style of pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp has the KEEN KUTTER logo or trademark symbol and says, "E.C. SIMMONS (over) KEEN (over) KUTTER (over) ST. LOUIS (over) MO." The tool front tang stamp says, "Red Devil (over) S. & H. CO. (over) NEW YORK (over) U.S.A." The shield says, "U.S. SIGNAL CORPS" The main blade does NOT have a half stop. The main blade does have an OK opening snap. The main blade does have an OK closing snap. The tool does NOT have a half stop. The tool does have an OK opening snap. The tool does have an OK closing snap. Overall, this pocket knife is in FAIR condition. It did need a very minor cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

Per GOINS (1998 Edition)…..
"RED DEVIL S & H CO. N.Y. c 1900-1956 A trademark used by Smith &
Hemenway from 1900 to 1936, and by L.P. Smith from 1936 to 1956."

Very nice knife Skip
I can't believe it's been 7 years ago that I started this thread with that story of the putty knife.

Interesting thread.
Treefarmer

dlr110 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 7:55 pm Very…..

Thank you, David.

Skip

Miller Bro's wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 9:47 pm Skip…..

Thank you, Dimitri.

Nice find, Skip.


Back to the OP knife . . . would a putty knife hold an edge, or were these heat treated after being modified? I just wonder about the edge. Useless for cutting without one.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2026 12:44 pm Nice find, Skip.


Back to the OP knife . . . would a putty knife hold an edge, or were these heat treated after being modified? I just wonder about the edge. Useless for cutting without one.

I doubt they held a very good edge for long. Back then I think it was just a guy trying to make a dime off all the air force guys that were stationed there and they most likely just wanted to help the guy and buy his homemade knives. It set in Warren's tool box for decades and I don't think it was used very much.