All About Pocket Knives

I bought this at a militaria and antique gun show today for $95, just because I was so impressed with it. The seller didn’t really know what it was. Others at the show who spied it really couldn’t identify it either those I heard a few guesses it was maritime related. Not a tang mark or any other mark on it. Seems like a handmade knife to me but maybe it could be mass produced. Maybe a Navaja influence. Bolsters are gray metal like pewter. Copper rivets. Just under 8” closed. I’d love some input on it. Thanks.

What a beast! Does it have half stops? Is it snappy?

It’s solid. Blades stop and hold in position very well. Probably takes a couple pounds of force to open and close each blade.

Pak E. Stan? That’s my first thought.

Ken

"Je ne sais quoi" I don't know what it is, but I like it.

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sun Nov 13, 2022 4:10 am Pak E. Stan? That’s my first thought.

Ken

Was mine too.

I have some similar to this.

I think these were made by students in high school or a vocational school as a project. Also just a person in his work shop who decided to make a knife out of necessity or just for fun.

All speculation on my part.

Nice knife

I tend not to think it’s Pakistan or anything from Central Asia because the materials aren’t really consistent with what you see from there. These bolsters are pewter or similar alloy. I would think that’s leaning toward early to mid 20th century and somewhere that used white metals like pewter. Western Europe/ Southern Europe?

Just a question here. Is there any such thing as a 2 blade Navaja? In looking at the images on Google I don't see another one.

I've never seen one Bob, and I browse knives all day every day.

Looks like a one-off complete custom made.

I believe it is home workshop made.

Someone was having a good time. A good effort in my view.

btrwtr wrote: ↑Mon Nov 14, 2022 2:32 am Looks like a one-off complete custom made.

Thanks folks. Consensus leans towards home made piece. I also never have seen a two blade Navaja. I just mentioned perhaps influenced by a Navaja only because of the curved form of it.

I agree that it is probably home made, especially when looking at the nail nicks. It looks like someone copied a Bow Trapper pattern and enlarged it. Considerably. I was really blown away when I saw the picture of it in-hand: That knife IS a real beast!
Could the bolsters be lead? I am trying to think what metals look like that and were readily available to the hobbyists years ago.
No matter the origin, it is a cool knife. Thank you for sharing!

I considered that, and maybe tin solder too. I’m leaning toward pewter. Only because I think if it were lead I’d really notice the weight and being a super-soft metal I’d expect to see far more denting and scratching from wear. The vibe I get handling it is it’s a lighter, harder white metal on the the bolsters. I tried another route in trying to nail this down. The scales origin. They’re quarter sawn birch. That could be from anywhere.

Teryjaki wrote: ↑Mon Nov 14, 2022 6:34 pm I considered that, and maybe tin solder too…. The vibe I get handling it is it’s a lighter, harder white metal…

When you mentioned white metal, I was thinking it could be bearing Babbitt, harder than lead and not quite as heavy( still weighty though).