All About Pocket Knives

Hi Folks,

I hope I am not bothering you guys with something that you see everyday... I have searched high and low online and cannot find another example. Hoping yall can teach me anything about this Remington "R171" UMC Made in USA knife. Age, value, rarity and other examples etc.. I was not thinking about posting online when I took these pictures, so I did not get one with both blades open. It is in beautiful condition and I do not think it has ever been sharpened. The pictures do not do it justice. I would appreciate and information you can provide.

Thank you,

I highly recommend that you look at this thread: viewtopic.php?t=77501&hilit=remington+171&start=25 which says that a model # ending with a "1" would be rosewood or redwood and not ebony. There was some good dialogue about another model but your R171 is mentioned and pictured. Hope this helps and

Thank you Tom!

Smokels wrote: ↑Fri Sep 20, 2024 8:47 pm Thank you Tom!

you are welcome! Also checkout: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... ang-stamps I’d say yours is 1921-1924 wouldn’t you? Love those century old knives that still provide full duty.

If you are research minded, checkout the Remington section here: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... t/research

I’m sure by now you’ve caught on to the fact that AAPK is THE SOURCE on the web for the knowledge that you seek. I encourage you to explore the Search tool and enjoy the journey.

Looking forward to hearing what you learn about your R171.

Beautiful knife!

I have a catalog reprint that says "Redwood". Not sure what they meant by that. Yours looks like it could be rosewood or cocobolo. American redwood is softer and probably not so desirable for a knife handle. We had long discussions about Remingtons and ebony. Nowhere in their is catalog is the word "ebony" used . Only "Black Composition" with the number "2" as the pattern code.
That's a beautiful knife. J.O'.

Your handles are likely cocobolo wood (a type of rosewood). It tends to darken to almost black over time in some cases. Beautiful knife!!

J.O' I think back in those days redwood was just another word for rosewood. I've seen that term from a number of manufacturers.

Eric

ea42 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 3:28 pm Your handles are likely cocobolo wood (a type of rosewood).

I think back in those days redwood was just another word for rosewood.

Hi Eric, see the images below of a Jobber's Price List from 1928 (from Keith Espenson) where the last digit of the model number designates the handle and is a "1" for Rosewood or Redwood (like the OP's knife) but an "8" for cocobolo. I agree that in all likelihood the OP's knife is rosewood that has darkened over time to look like ebony but doubtful to be cocobolo based on the model number.

Cocobolo grows on a thin band along the Pacific Coast of Mexico down through Central America. As Eric stated, cocobolo is a true rosewood, similar in color & tap tone to Brazilian Rosewood, and is considered to be a good substitute as it is denser than most rosewoods and oilier.

Tom, Thanks for posting the catalog.. That's finally the first time I've seen the word, "Ebony" for pattern number "2". All my reprints just say "black". That clears up an old issue.

Eric, I agree on the "red" being rosewood and, maybe, cocobolo. J.O'.