All About Pocket Knives

Has anyone seen or does anyone know what a capital T stamped by itself on an US made knife tang means? Thanks, J.O'.

Here are the "T" stamped tangs. Anybody know anything about it??? Thanks J.O'.

Never seen one. And chance for a pic of the entire knife for some context clues on possible age?

It's on the Mystery Knife Game thread right now. Didn't want to give it away. Was thinking maybe a factory code for "tempered"? J.O'.

I've seen "R" stamps and I thought it might mean "Rust-free". Here's an old UTICA "rat" with both tangs stamped, "R" on the pile sides. ??? J.O'.

If I recall, I believe that I have seen a "T" stamped on some Utica (Kutmaster) knives that used Tungsten steel blades.

msteele6 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:56 pm If I recall, I believe that I have seen a "T" stamped on some Utica (Kutmaster) knives that used Tungsten steel blades.

Yes; I have seen that - "Tungsten" was Utica's fancy marketing name for their stainless steel blades back in the day when carbon steel was the norm. They used a "V" for "vandium" on their carbon steel blades.

Here’s an exaggerated ‘U’ stamped in the pile side tang of a Challenge stainless knife. I believe I have a few other such Challenge knives stored away. This early stainless always felt soft to me. I have always wondered if this was an attempt to create a well of oil deep in the joint to counter wear.
Froe

All interesting. The OP knife was a Klein, probably made by Utica. I wasn't aware Utica called their stainless, "Tungsten". Stainless and Tungsten are not the same at all. ?? J.O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 3:28 pm I've seen "R" stamps and I thought it might mean "Rust-free". Here's an old UTICA "rat" with both tangs stamped, "R" on the pile sides. ??? J.O'.

No help with the "R" but a big on that old muskrat!
That one rings my bell.
Treefarmer

Froe wrote: ↑Sun Jun 08, 2025 3:51 pm Here’s an exaggerated ‘U’ stamped in the pile side tang of a Challenge stainless knife. I believe I have a few other such Challenge knives stored away. This early stainless always felt soft to me. I have always wondered if this was an attempt to create a well of oil deep in the joint to counter wear.
Froe

I beleive that in the old days, knife companies did things like this - marking the half-moon, or R, or T, on stainless blade tangs so that they did not mix up the stainless blades with carbon steel blades duriong manufacture - heat reating, grinding, assembly. Otherwise it would be impossible to tell them apart. That was in the days when carbon steel was the overwhelming norm and stainless blades were an oddity.

On soligen made knives, R is the most common letter to see, indicating ROSTFREI. "Rust Free".

Makes sense.

Agree, makes sense.. Thanks for the input. I thought the Utica may have been made for export due to the "R" possibly denoting "Rostfrei". Just a random theory, probably makes no sense now.

Tree: That old Muskrat is a sweetie. Did you notice the rocker pin hole appears to have been mis-drilled? It's a favorite of mine. Very well built like the old ones were.

J.O'.

Here is a Kutmaster I have with the T stamp. It has the T on all 3 blades.

I have farmers jacks with a U stamped on the reverse side.