All About Pocket Knives

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some assistance identifying and learning more about a vintage knife I own. It's a Cutco 1889, featuring a brass bolster and a pakkawood (or similar) handle. The knife is in good condition, and the blade markings include "1889 USA." From my research, it seems this model might be part of a discontinued series.

Here are a few things I’d like help with:

• Model Details: Any additional info about the 1889 series or its history.
  Handle Material: Can anyone confirm if the handle is pakkawood or another type of wood composite?
  Value: What would a knife like this typically sell for in today’s market?
  Availability: Does anyone know if Cutco still produces this knife, or where I might find similar ones for sale to compare prices?

I've attached pictures for reference. I appreciate any insight from the community!

Thank you in advance!

It definitely came out after the Buck 110 was introduced.

I wouldn’t call it “very old” Harold

I may be wrong, but I think the "1889" is the model number, not the year it was made

CUTCO started in 1949 as the C-ooking UT-ensil CO-mpany division of Wear-Ever. They are now affiliated with KA-BAR in Olean, NY. Their knives are of excellent quality. J.O'.

Probably made for CUTCO on contract by someone (like Buck, Kabar, or similar). Doubtful CUTCO would tool up to make them. CUTCO’s main product line is kitchen knives (excellent kitchen knives BTW).

The company started as ALCAS, a joint venture of Alcoa (Aluminum Company of America) and W. R. Case & Company - hence the name “ALCAS”. Operations were located in Olean, NY. In 1972 ALCOA bought out Case’s half interest. In 1982 a group, IIRC partly consisting of ALCAS management, bought the cutlery products company from ALCOA and formed CUTCO. They still manufacture in Olean and proudly advertise their products are made in USA.

Welcome to AAPK.

Ken

For what its worth, some of the old Alcas knives are very cool. Also, I heard from a very reliable source that Alcas made the first Shark Tooth knives for Case. They made them from maybe 1972 - 1974. The early ones handled in Curly Maple.

Here are two Alcas folders. A Shadow Stag A02 and a Barehead Stag A04. The A04 is a larger knife.

hardman wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 2:44 am For what its worth, some of the old Alcas knives are very cool. Also, I heard from a very reliable source that Alcas made the first Shark Tooth knives for Case. They made them from maybe 1972 - 1974. The early ones handled in Curly Maple.

Here are two Alcas folders. A Shadow Stag A02 and a Barehead Stag A04. The A04 is a larger knife.

Couple nice knives.

Harold

Kal_Orion wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 7:03 pm Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some assistance identifying and learning more about a vintage knife I own. It's a Cutco 1889, featuring a brass bolster and a pakkawood (or similar) handle. The knife is in good condition, and the blade markings include "1889 USA." From my research, it seems this model might be part of a discontinued series.

Here are a few things I’d like help with:

• Model Details: Any additional info about the 1889 series or its history.
  Handle Material: Can anyone confirm if the handle is pakkawood or another type of wood composite?
  Value: What would a knife like this typically sell for in today’s market?
  Availability: Does anyone know if Cutco still produces this knife, or where I might find similar ones for sale to compare prices?

I've attached pictures for reference. I appreciate any insight from the community!

Thank you in advance!

knife1.jpg
knife2.jpg
knife3.jpg
knife4.jpg

I believe they were made by Ka-Bar in the 70's

To add to what Hardman posted;

Alcas made all of Case's modern stainless steel lockbacks - Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, Mako, the 051 patterns, and others - from 1972 until the Parker bankruptcy.

After that, because they got stiffed in the bankruptcy, Alcas did no more contract work. Case then brought those patterns in-house (with some tooling changes).

Alcas also made some percentage of Case's 2137 and 2138 sodbusters, including the Kentucky Bicentennial knives. I'm fairly certain that Alcas also made some of the P172 Buffalos for Case.

Alcas/Cutco also released a number of lockback folding knives under the Cutco brand.

Here is one of the Lockback Folding knives released under the Cutco name that Steve referenced. It is the Bull Whip model.

knifeaholic wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:43 pm To add to what Hardman posted;

TY Steve, solved a mystery for me!

Kal_Orion wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 7:03 pm Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some assistance identifying and learning more about a vintage knife I own. It's a Cutco 1889, featuring a brass bolster and a pakkawood (or similar) handle. The knife is in good condition, and the blade markings include "1889 USA." From my research, it seems this model might be part of a discontinued series.

Here are a few things I’d like help with:

• Model Details: Any additional info about the 1889 series or its history.
  Handle Material: Can anyone confirm if the handle is pakkawood or another type of wood composite?
  Value: What would a knife like this typically sell for in today’s market?
  Availability: Does anyone know if Cutco still produces this knife, or where I might find similar ones for sale to compare prices?

I've attached pictures for reference. I appreciate any insight from the community!

Thank you in advance!

knife1.jpg
knife2.jpg
knife3.jpg
knife4.jpg

For my 2cents worth since the bolsters are reminiscent of the early Buck 110’s I’d say it’s from that time frame