All About Pocket Knives

Someone sent me this one to breathe some life into. I'm trying to figure out the maker, they don't know. The main blade tang stamp is all but worn off, there may be one letter "N" on what looks like the bottom line

The pen blade has a 2439 (pattern number I assume?) I have seen those numbers in that script before. I can add pics of that if it helps.

Thoughts?

My first thought is "Good Luck".

Cattaraugus usually marked there secondary blades with the model #. I can't recall any other manufacturers doing this other than the newer case knives. You could also do a search with the model # on ebay. Good luck!

Kase's Kutlery Plus wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:32 pm Cattaraugus usually marked there secondary blades with the model #. I can't recall any other manufacturers doing this other than the newer case knives. You could also do a search with the model # on ebay. Good luck!

I think you may be on to something. The "N" that I can see looks like the placement where it would be in the "N.Y." of the Catt stamp. Maybe there is a 5th number on that pen blade, I'll investigate further. Thanks for the tip!

I have a couple Cattaraugus easy openers and their pattern number is 24399. Maybe the last 9 got rubbed off.

easyopener wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 10:37 pm I have a couple Cattaraugus easy openers and their pattern number is 24399. Maybe the last 9 got rubbed off.

I'll check that out, thx!

The last number is gone . It should be a "7" for Cocoabolo scales. It is a Catt 24397 easy open Jack. (Ritchie & Stewart: CATTARAUGUS CUTLEREY CO. reprint, p.95) May have been made without a shield or has a replaced handle. Enjoy! J.O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:31 pm The last number is gone . It should be a "7" for Cocoabolo scales. It is a Catt 24397 easy open Jack. (Ritchie & Stewart: CATTARAUGUS CUTLEREY CO. reprint, p.95) May have been made without a shield or has a replaced handle. Enjoy! J.O'.

Awesome, thanks!

Does it have 4 scale pins? If so that could be the key.

The Dewey Furgeson catalog reprints of the 1922 and 1930 offerings specifically state the knife is "Shielded". I have two in bone and one in ebony and all three are shielded, but many Catts of various patterns are not shielded, just like their tang stamps vary too. Could be from a different date ? Either way it's a 24397. Notice the Catt EO's have a slightly pointed endcap, approaching a "teardrop" look. (Getting down to the nitty-gritty here).
J.O'.
Top pic: 1922
Bottom pic: 1930

Redryder: All mine have 3 pins. That pic from the R & S book has a flaw that looks like two pins at the end cap.(If you're referring to that pic.)
Look at the ebony knife above it, just 3 pins. Good eye ! J.O'.

That knife may have had a shield in it at one time. The pic is kind of dark to know for sure but it looks like the shield pin is still there. I think. Lots of wear on the handle which could also mean the shield pin head wore off and the shield was lost.

Eric

ea42: Wow! That escaped me, good eye! Very possible. J.O'.

ea42 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:48 pm That knife may have had a shield in it at one time. The pic is kind of dark to know for sure but it looks like the shield pin is still there. I think. Lots of wear on the handle which could also mean the shield pin head wore off and the shield was lost.

Eric

I think you are correct, sir! I took a look at the knife, and there is clearly a pin there where a shield would be. No inletting though, so the shield must have sat on top of the wood?

Don't know if these enhanced photos will help, tried to lighten them up for a clearer view.

glennbad wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:55 pm

ea42 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:48 pm That knife may have had a shield in it at one time. The pic is kind of dark to know for sure but it looks like the shield pin is still there. I think. Lots of wear on the handle which could also mean the shield pin head wore off and the shield was lost.

Eric

I think you are correct, sir! I took a look at the knife, and there is clearly a pin there where a shield would be. No inletting though, so the shield must have sat on top of the wood?

Many shields on very old knives layed on top of the handles.

it's great when you all collaborate, can't wait to see how it looks when done
is the owner wanting a shield, if not they might want one now

texoma wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:05 pm it's great when you all collaborate, can't wait to see how it looks when done
is the owner wanting a shield, if not they might want one now

Yes, they have given me the choice on what to do with it. I will add a shield. The replacement pen blade will not be a Catt blade, but that doesn't matter, they just want it to function.

glennbad: Have a Catt pen. Don't know what profile you need. J.O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 7:01 pm glennbad: Have a Catt pen. Don't know what profile you need. J.O'.

The tang shape doesn't look quite exactly like the existing one. That is so nice of you to offer though, thanks! I do have a Challenge pen blade that is pretty close. I'll give that a go, and if it doesn't work, I may hit you up.

Sure Pal. The tang on my EO pen blade is the round shoulder. Thought maybe it could be adapted. I'm no mechanic J,O'.

Well, here she is. Didn't turn out too bad. I added the shield, but gave it a rounded worn-in look. The pen blade is a decent fit. It was quite rusty inside. I cleaned the rust, but left the honest years on it. Should be serviceable now.

Another Glen good!!! Great job.

J.O'.

doglegg wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 1:48 am Another Glen good!!! Great job.

I concur!!
John 🥸