All About Pocket Knives

Found this 642214 pattern multi-blade today in a pawn shop in Salisbury, MD. Houston Price says the pattern is a bone-stag, 3-5/8 multi. The tang stamp is ROBESON over CUTLERY over USA, (Used 1901-1922 ?). However the scales are black composite, very much like Delrin. The cap-lifter/can opener is the older style with a large rivet, and the fourth blade is a flathead screwdriver. I first thought it was a broken pen blade but it obviously never had an edge and the nail nick starts at the tang. The age of this knife is confusing because the stamp and blade styles say older but those Delrin-like scales say late 40's-50's. Any opinions welcomed. Thanks J.O'.

Robeson used that pressure molded black composition material in place of bone and did not change the pattern number to indicate that. Most specifically, during and after WWII, just as Case did, as bone was not readily available.

Cannot explain the tang stamp. Just realize that all published data re’ Robeson tang stamps can be attributed to two men, Dewy Ferguson and Tom Kalcevic. Did they actually know what they were doing?

I don’t know.

So, take their date data with a large grain of salt and don’t hang any appraisal of value on a tang stamp.

Absolutely, nothing wrong with the OP knife, except its used condition. It’s a survivor.

Thanks RR. The blades seemed kind of old style for the period. Maybe some prewar leftovers. other than the poorly sharpened main, the knife is in fine shape. I NEVER walk away from a $5 Robeson. Thanks again. I'm guessing from your handle you're the man to ask. J.O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Thu May 20, 2021 12:11 am I'm guessing from your handle you're the man to ask. J.O'.

He is the man to ask. Trust me on that!

RR: Maybe I asked you this before. Did you ever know Dino Bakeris ? He was an avid Robeson collector. We were in the Mason-Dixon Knife Club and he did a lot of shows on the east coast. Passed away some years back. Very extensive collection. J.O'.

Thanks Philco. J.O'.

Dino and I were well acquainted and arranged to meet at multiple knife shows, Louisville, Eugene, Blade Show.

We met on Ebay.

Did not know he had passed away.

I bought several knives from Dino, including several Terriers.

That's great. He was a big Terrier fan and an "astute" bargainer, usually got the better of me when I was young and easy. He knew I liked Catts and he'd save the nicer ones for me to horse trade for any Robesons I had. I'm guessing he's gone near 10 years. I liked him. Glad to know someone remembers him. J.O'.