All About Pocket Knives

Hello. I came across this old pocket knife. It was in pretty rough shape, but tight. No excess play in the blades. Cleaning it up, I saw the tang stamped E W “Viking” (in a diamond) NY. I’ve read a bit about this name here and understand a few variables to identify one of several companies making knives using the E W Viking trademark. I’ve googled and found no similar knives. Is this rare? Would sure love any information anyone may have to further flush out the identity, maker, history, and background on these knives and this utility pocket knife as well. Materials? Dates made? Etc. Thank you.

The knife appears to have celluloid handle covers.

Goins’ Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings lists “E.W. VIKING USA c 1931-1934. A trademark used by E. Wedemyer.”

Also lists “E. WEDEMYER c 1931-1934. Eric Wedemyer was at 170 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Hunting and pocket knives were their specialty.”

If they were made only 4 years I’d guess they’re fairly rare (However, rare doesn’t necessarily mean valuable). Here’s an older thread about another Viking stamped knife viewtopic.php?f=78&t=68420

Ken

Thanks so much for the information Ken. It’s a B1G help! Very satisfying to learn about the history of things. I agree that rare doesn’t always mean valuable! 170 Fifth Avenue is lower Manhattan around the famous Flatiron Building near 22nd, Greenwich Village, and NYU.

Eric Wedemeyer was a sporting goods retailer. I seriously doubt the dates given by Levine and Goins simply because there are too many knives with his mark to have been sold in three years. Many knives with his mark were made by Union Cut co, especially hunting knives and large folders. I have seen hunting knives with his mark that were not Union Cut products but most are. The OP knife looks to me like a Utica product, it is not a Union Cut product.