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Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 4:30 pm
by Reindeer9
Hello All. I’m trying to find out the approximate manufacturing date for this knife (from my father in law’s toolbox- not sure if it was his or his father’s). Only identifying marks say BLUEFIELD HDWE CO , but I can’t find details of what I assume was a hardware store brand. The handle appears to be wood and the inside is brass.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 4:53 pm
by philco
Welcome to AAPK. The only information I came up with was a couple of entries in
Goin's Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings which showed Bluefield Hdwe c.1910-1930. No other information was provided.
That's a nice and interesting old knife.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 5:01 pm
by cody6268
I figured Bluefield Hardware was never big enough to have companies tang stamp knives made for them. Looks like I was wrong.
I live in the next town over (in VA). They were based in Bluefield, West Virginia, and a pretty major retailer of hardware and building supplies at one point. I think they closed down sometime in the 1980s. The lumberyard was bought by the neighboring Ace affiliate, Citizens Building Supply in 1998.The warehouse is now owned by a construction company--has been as long as I've been around. One of Citizen's employees used to work for Bluefield Hardware, but I think he passed away when I was little. He was old enough to know when John F. Nash Jr. was working there when he was a boy.
Most of what I've seen has been advertising knives. This one's a Colonial from the '60s or '70s. I think my Granddad picked it up at an estate sale in the '80s.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 5:37 pm
by btrwtr
Great information Cody!
Very cool old equal end 4 1/4" cigar jack! Certainly has an early 1900's look to it. Since this is a hardware concern it would make sense the the knife was made on contract by a larger knife manufacturing company. Many old companies made this type of large ebony handled knife even down to the type of shield on your knife. What is interesting is that both the master and pen blades have long pulls. Given this and the fact that both blades are marked again point to a the knife being from the early 1900's. Not too many companies put long pulls on both the master an pen blades so that would be a clue as to who actually made the knife.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2023 1:58 am
by Reverand
Welcome to AAPK!
Back in the day, you could order knives from some manufacturers stamped with whatever you wanted, as long as you ordered at least a Gross of them (144 - a dozen dozen knives).
I don't know who made yours, but it is a beautiful knife, both well made and well preserved!
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2023 12:07 pm
by Reindeer9
Thank you all for the great information! What a helpful resource you all are! I am grateful to have learned more about this sentimental knife. My husband said his Dad always loved using it - knowing it’s over 100 years is a testament to how well it was made.
I appreciate your helping me with this.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 7:00 am
by New_Windsor_NY
I am posting mine for future reference.
Not too recently, my visit to the post office produced this pocket knife. It is a BLUEFIELD HDWE CO, two blades, two tang stamps, 4 1/4" closed, two long blade pulls, two springs, pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says, "BLUEFIELD (over) HDWE (over) CO" The secondary blade front tang stamp also says, "BLUEFIELD (over) HDWE (over) CO" The main blade does have a VERY CRISP half stop. The main blade does have a VERY NASTY opening snap. The main blade does have a VERY NASTY closing snap. The secondary blade does have a VERY CRISP half stop. The secondary blade does have a VERY NASTY opening snap. The secondary blade does have a VERY NASTY closing snap. This pocket knife is in GOOD condition. This pocket knife did need a little bit of cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 1:15 pm
by doglegg
New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 7:00 am
I am posting mine for future reference.
Not too recently, my visit to the post office produced this pocket knife. It is a BLUEFIELD HDWE CO, two blades, two tang stamps, 4 1/4" closed, two long blade pulls, two springs, pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says, "BLUEFIELD (over) HDWE (over) CO" The secondary blade front tang stamp also says, "BLUEFIELD (over) HDWE (over) CO" The main blade does have a VERY CRISP half stop. The main blade does have a VERY NASTY opening snap. The main blade does have a VERY NASTY closing snap. The secondary blade does have a VERY CRISP half stop. The secondary blade does have a VERY NASTY opening snap. The secondary blade does have a VERY NASTY closing snap. This pocket knife is in GOOD condition. This pocket knife did need a little bit of cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Very knice old Hardwares knife Skip. Love those kind of knives. Bought to be used and used.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 5:00 pm
by New_Windsor_NY
doglegg wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 1:15 pm
Very.....
Thank you, Floyd.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:53 am
by cody6268
Nice! Looks like a pretty substantial jack knife.
Guessing this one is different from the first one posted? So far, that equates to two so far... Given they had them stamped, the total production run would have to have been relatively large, but I'm curious just how many survive 90-100 years later. My guess--not many.
I'm not far from Citizens, which is in the general area of Bluefield Hardware. Thus, I'm surprised I have yet to see any around here, other the little Colonial I posted (and that's been in the family for a LONG time).
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 2:10 am
by New_Windsor_NY
cody6268 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:53 am
Nice!.....
Thank you.
Nope, same one. My only one.
First post under THIS topic or thread.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 8:32 am
by Miller Bro's
Rare find Skip
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 3:15 pm
by New_Windsor_NY
Thank you, Dimitri.
Re: Identify Bluefield HDWE pocket knife ?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 7:37 pm
by Ridgegrass
My father was born in Bluefield in 1918. Like to find one, one day. J.O'.
