All About Pocket Knives

A great looking pile of hardware, Thomas. So easy on the eyes.

Although they don't measure up your knives I hope to contribute a few of mine to your nice thread tomorrow.

What is the quality level of Western knives? Similar to Case, Schrade, Camille’s, etc?
I have seen Western knives time to time but don’t own any,

Bob

That is a nice collection of Westerns, for sure! I have a few larger ones but this one is small enough to be here?

Western knives are somewhat scarce here in the SouthEast. Few here except for the dedicated collectors, or the educated members of this forum, seem to have even heard of them.
I have only 3:
I have a weak spot for Campers (being an Eagle Scout) - they just bring back fond memories! Anyway, I bought two of these Western campers. This one has a few scratches from use on the main, but is otherwise in great shape. It still has the factory edge.
These are sturdy knives with beefy liners! The second one that I bought had a broken backspring, so I made it into a two-blade. It has been missing for a few months now - probably in a coat pocket somewhere.
This one was worn out when I got it, with a broken blade. I ground down and polished the broken nub to make it useful again. The main is worn to a sliver, but holds a wicked edge He doesn't get a lot of pocket time, but I let him open mail occasionally so that he can still feel useful.

tongueriver wrote: ↑Sun Sep 04, 2022 4:36 pm That is a nice collection of Westerns, for sure! I have a few larger ones but this one is small enough to be here?
tiny Western stockman001.jpgws1.jpgws2.jpg

That’s some really nice bone.I had a friend ask me why I like the western knifes.my response was everyone has a drawer full of case knifes .lol

Here are my two small slip-joint Westerns. The top one was a high school graduation gift more than 60 years ago from the landlady of the rooming house where I lived. The bottom one I found about that same time along the foundation of an abandoned ranch house. That one was so rusted that I had to soak it in kerosene for a couple of weeks just to get the blades to move a little bit. The bolsters and bone handles are still like new, but the blades and spring are badly pitted from rust. This one has the old curved Western States tang stamp. Is it strange that the shield is on the pile side rather than the mark side of this one?

Wonderboy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 05, 2022 5:03 pm... Is it strange that the shield is on the pile side rather than the mark side of this one?

It's a left handed knife.

Really, no idea. But I do like the bone on that one.

rea1eye wrote: ↑Sun Sep 04, 2022 11:28 am What is the quality level of Western knives? Similar to Case, Schrade, Camille’s, etc?
I have seen Western knives time to time but don’t own any,

Bob

Bob, since I don’t see that anyone else answered your question, here’s my opinion. Western was founded by H. N. Platts after he sold out his share of W.R. Case & Sons to his brother in law Russ Case, and moved to Colorado for health reasons (he had “grinder’s consumption). Prior to joining W.R.Case he was a partner in Platts & Sons, which he eventually merged with W.R. Case. (Causing the company name to change from W.R. CASE & SON, to W.R. CASE & SONS). While at Case he oversaw the manufacturing operations. I’m telling you this so you understand that H.N. Platts knew the Cutlery business inside and out.

Initially after he started Western in 1911, H.N. operated as a jobber, with knives being supplied mostly by W.R. Case and having the Western stamp on them. Then Western equipped their factory and began making their own knives, which they did for many decades. The quality was excellent, certainly the equal to Case, Schrade, Robeson, Camillus, etc. This was during the 1st half of the 20th century - if you didn’t make quality cutlery you did not survive. Some are of the opinion (justifiably IMHO) Western carbon steel was the equal of or better than any factory-made knives. Eventually (1980-ish) Western was sold and a series of companies acquired the name, moved the operation to other locations, etc. At one time the name was owned by Coleman, then by Camillus.

There’s an entire subforum on Western with more info, and many here who collect Western knives and can tell you more. If you’re interested, start here https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 07#p762056

Ken

Here are my small Westerns.

Small you say? :How small?

>

Bob, since I don’t see that anyone else answered your question, here’s my opinion. Western was founded by H. N. Platts after he sold out his share of W.R. Case & Sons to his brother in law Russ Case, and moved to Colorado for health reasons (he had “grinder’s consumption). Prior to joining W.R.Case he was a partner in Platts & Sons, which he eventually merged with W.R. Case. (Causing the company name to change from W.R. CASE & SON, to W.R. CASE & SONS). While at Case he oversaw the manufacturing operations. I’m telling you this so you understand that H.N. Platts knew the Cutlery business inside and out.

Initially after he started Western in 1911, H.N. operated as a jobber, with knives being supplied mostly by W.R. Case and having the Western stamp on them. Then Western equipped their factory and began making their own knives, which they did for many decades. The quality was excellent, certainly the equal to Case, Schrade, Robeson, Camillus, etc. This was during the 1st half of the 20th century - if you didn’t make quality cutlery you did not survive. Some are of the opinion (justifiably IMHO) Western carbon steel was the equal of or better than any factory-made knives. Eventually (1980-ish) Western was sold and a series of companies acquired the name, moved the operation to other locations, etc. At one time the name was owned by Coleman, then by Camillus.

There’s an entire subforum on Western with more info, and many here who collect Western knives and can tell you more. If you’re interested, start here https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 07#p762056

Ken
[/quote]

Thanks Ken. It is interesting that somewhere in most knife companies history the name Case pops up. I think your statement that
in the first half of the 20th century if you made poor quality cutlery you certainly would not survive is very correct.

Bob

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:18 pm Small you say? :How small?

Jerry, just how many brands and knives do you own? It must be massive.

Bob

rea1eye wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 3:26 pm

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:18 pm Small you say? :How small?

Jerry, just how many brands and knives do you own? It must be massive.

Bob

I don't know.

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:18 pm Small you say? :How small?

Some great knifes being posted.Jerry how about size limit being amended to any knife that is not a fixed blade? Lol

FRJ wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 1:42 pm Here are my small Westerns.

Great group of knifes .thank you for sharing !

Thomasg wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 11:30 pm Some great knifes being posted.Jerry how about size limit being amended to any knife that is not a fixed blade? Lol

OK!

Thank you Thomas.

Thomasg wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 11:30 pm

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 2:18 pm Small you say? :How small?

Some great knifes being posted.Jerry how about size limit being amended to any knife that is not a fixed blade? Lol

Good idea. I've already posted all that I have.

Their agate celluloid was a knockout.

Great celluloid on a very nice hunter, Cal.