All About Pocket Knives

A while back, I was poking around on the Library of Congress website looking for knife things. One thing I found was a really cool map of the city of Akron, Ohio from 1870.

In the map, you will see a manufacturing company's site that went by the name Akron Knife Works. I had never heard of that name and a google search brought me to a thread on AAPK from January 2020...
viewtopic.php?t=65527

There is a picture of a knife posted by Lyle (wlf) in that thread stamped Akron Cutlery Works Akron O. I am not certain if the knife was made in this factory, I'm guessing not, but regardless, something knifey was most certainly happening there at the time.


I personally find these things very interesting (I suspect my wife thinks it's a little weird how into this I got).

I read that these maps were used for things like...

Navigation and Commerce: For residents and visitors, these maps were practical tools for navigating the city. For businesses, they were important for understanding and planning commercial activities.

Urban Planning and Development: These maps were essential tools for city planners, engineers, and architects. They provided detailed information on the layout of cities, the placement of buildings, and the design of public spaces, helping to guide urban development.

I thought... "Urban Planning and Development", you say. Wonder what that place looks like now.

I went to google maps and tried to find land markers like waterways that matched up. I figured the street names had probably mostly changed over the years, but some familiar names popped up. I really have no clue if this is the right spot or not, but it's my best guess...


Anyway... Wherever the area is on the map, things have changed a little in Akron since 1870


Anyone have an Akron knife or cutlery item to show? I've found it difficult to find even a picture save for Lyle's

Bryan: Both BRL & Goins list Akron Cutlery Works as being in business ca. 1911-1928. Wonder why the discrepancy?

Bryan wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:05 pm A while back, I was poking around

That is a very interesting post, Bryan, thanks for sharing!

I just found an Akron panoramic map from 1882. I don't see Akron Knife Works listed in the references on this one. I looked for a couple minutes to see if I could find the exact location to see what may have taken its place, but my eyes started going crosswords after a bit.


Maybe Akron Knife Works was a short lived entity & Akron Cutlery Works was a completely different entity I'll see if I can find a pre 1870 map.

The images are getting scaled way down when uploading to the forum.

If anyone wants to examine the situation closer:

Huge detailed view of the 1882 map...
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4084a.pm006770/

Huge detailed view of 1870 map...
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4084a.pm006750/

Hold the fort! Just found a fire insurance document from 1892 that lists Akron Knife Works, so I surmise it may well have lasted at least 21-22 years assuming these documents and maps are accurate and the LOC isn't pulling a fast one on us... looks like more sleuthing may be in order.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4084am.g4 ... 04,0.215,0

One more map of Summit County where Akron is confined. This one is from 1856. There is what appears to be a comprehensive business directory in the top left portion. I found some blacksmiths, but no cutlery or knife specific businesses.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4083s.la000679a/

For now, I'm going to loosely hold on to the belief that Akron Knife Works was established sometime between 1856 and 1870 and persisted until at least 1891. I think while I'm at it, I'll speculate its main business was making knives on contract for others due to the apparent scarcity of anything marked Akron Knife Works. I'm probably way off

I wonder if the Akron Knife Works was sold and the new owners re-named it the Akron Cutlery Works? That could explain the later dates listed in Levine & Goins.

Something in the deepest convolutions of my brain is trying too tell me that Akron Knife works was a manufacturer of blades for industrial shears, such as those used in the cutting of sheet steel.

I also recall seeing a little lobster style penknife in pearl celluloid with a nickel-silver imbedded logo for AKRON KNIFE WORKS. Do not remember the tang stamp.

Very cool information, Bryan!