All About Pocket Knives

Ok…I have exhausted my resources trying to identify a knife I recently purchased as part of a lot. It appears to be a bright metal case that is pinched on. It has a very weird file looking thing as a secondary and a primary blade. The primary blade appears to have been marked on the tang but it is very very light. The last letter appears to be a Z but again, I am not sure?! The knife appear to be about 2.5 inches long and about .5” wide? Any one have any knowledge to share about this one? Thank y’all so much!

Your knife is a fingernail groomer. The secondary blade is a fingernail file, cleaner, and cuticle pusher. Looks like possibly silver plate handles but hard to tell from the pictures. Might be what is called a “skeleton” knife, made by a knife manufacturer as a frame with blades and internal springs but no handle covers. These were sold to jewelers who crimped on or otherwise attached handle covers (often gold plated or silver plated, occasionally sterling silver) that could be engraved with name or initials of the owner. If sterling silver it should have a hallmark but I see no evidence of a hallmark on your knife.

It might have had a bail at one time (I see what looks like a pin) in which case it would have been for attaching a chain for use as a pocket watch fob.

Sorry I have no clue who might have made it but someone else might recognize it.

Ken

Definitely a watch fob knife with bail missing. I iave a bunch of them and maybe even that model. I'll check tomorrow. As to the maker; viqrtually dozens of companies made them.

Like to see a good close-up of the mark on the main tang. Thanks, O'.

Ok…got another one for y’all. This is a cute little dude. Small Cokebottle design or tuxedo style I think? It is a 2 blade, one blade on each end. The tang stamp is marked in H B on both blades, on the opposite side of the blade is nothing. No other marks that I can see.
The knife has Pearl handles and brass threaded bolsters. Any ideas?

Humason & Beckley 1852-1916, New Britain, CT, swell center balloon pen.
Did you get a good pic of the mark on your previous post? J.O'.

That is commonly called a "tuxedo" pattern. Balloon center or swell center is also correct.

Ken

Ridge grass- Yes I have included it here. It is still hard to see But I put some good light on the knife this time. The tang, from what I can tell says A&Z I think?? Inside a box? I can see no other identifying information. Thank you for reminding me about the photo!!
Guys I can not tell you what a great resource this is for us! I tried buying some books but they are priced so high I can not afford them an electricity too! Y’all are just amazing! I have never heard of Humason and Beckley! I am going to look them up and see what information I can find about them! Thank y’all again so much! I love to know the history of the knives and the history of the knife makers! I am sure I will be posting another knife soon!! If I start to bug y’all just tell me to stop!!

Sure looks like A & Z but I couldn't find anything on that. Could be the blade maker or the initials of a jewelry dealer.
Humason and Beckeley were bought out by Landers, Frary, and Clark. (L.F.&C.) who made kitchen and table cutlery. After acquiring H&B, L.F.& C. began making pocket cutlery under their own name. Both marks are good quality. Nice little knife. J.O'.

Ok…just got another one in. I believe it is a Utica 4 line. Top line says Utica. Next line reads Cutlery ??? The next line is Utica New York and last line is Made in USA. Do I have that right?
My issues don’t stop with lack of knowledge on the history of the company or the knife but I also need a scale for the opposite side! Does anyone know where I can find a scale that would match? Or someone that I could send the knife to get the scale put on after I find the scale, if I find one?
The blades are in great shape along with the springs! I think it might be worth replacing the scale? What do y’all think? I have included pics of everything I think? If there is something else needed please let me know and I can get it uploaded pronto! As always, thanks so much guys!

That is a beauty!
I doubt that I have a scale to fit it, but I will try to look and see in the next couple of days.

It will be difficult to find a cover that matches the one remaining on the knife. You can search for a donor knife, or re-handle both sides with something you like. There are businesses that sell handle covers https://knifehandles.com/culpepper/ and it’s not difficult to find someone competent to put them on. Otherwise whatever you put on it won’t match. You may not care.

Ken

Thanks guys so much for any and or all help and information. I have another request for help in trying to identify another maker. This one is is on a meat cleaver. From what I can make out it appears to read “Briar Edge” on the top line. Second line appears to read “….ET… WORKS” . Maybe Metal Works? I dunno? I have never heard of anything like this? Before y’all start razzing me about this being a pocket knife site, I was hoping that someone might have some information on the company. I know this is a meat cleaver! LOL! If it is ok, I am going to post some photos of this big ol knife! If you can provide any information, it would be appreciated! And I don’t mind any razzing or smack talk! If you can’t have fun doing it, then why do it?! My granddaddy made sure I had thick skin!! If anybody needs anything from me, “just sing out and we will slap hot iron to it”! Outlaw Josie Wales-Clint Eastwood

I have that Utica. Mine is a Kutmaster,(Utica: after 1937), but the same pattern. Shame about the bone. Someone here can make that look great again. Its worth saving for sure. J.O'.

Oh my!! That is beautiful! Ridge did you find it that way? I sure hope someone can help me out on it! The more I look at the more I just want to fix it!!

Well, it seems today is the day for cleavers! Sorry guys. So this one came into the shop and I don’t know much about it either. Maybe someone here can help me out. As you can see from the photos this one is smaller and I think older. The name appears to be John Stor(?)Z and son. The next line reads Philadelphia PA. Any information would be appreciated!

I have a 2 bladed, brass knife made by Utica Cutlery. It has a silhouette of a baseball player on one scale. The silhouette is made of some sort of shiny metal. Anyone seen one of these, or know anything about it?

That is awesome!

Sawdust: The Kutmaster is original, no modifications. Lucky find. J.O'.