All About Pocket Knives

I recently posted some pictures of a Western States knife in the general knife discussion that I would really like to find out more about and also find another like it. One member did post a picture from a book that shows a A2961/2 that really looks like mine. I would also like to find an 02264 model. I'm sorry for not posting it here but I'm not much of a computer person Please look at the pictures and see if it's something You might have and want to sell or trade for.

gpadgett wrote: ↑Thu Sep 25, 2025 11:16 am I recently posted some pictures of a Western States knife in the general knife discussion that I would really like to find out more about and also find another like it. One member did post a picture from a book that shows a A2961/2 that really looks like mine. I would also like to find an 02264 model. I'm sorry for not posting it here but I'm not much of a computer person Please look at the pictures and see if it's something You might have and want to sell or trade for.

I copied the photos from your O.P. and have added them here so you may be able to gain more information from western collectors that have more expertise than I have .one thing that did I did notice about your knife was the tang stamping . I have around 30 or more early western states folders .Looking through them all not one has a tang marking With arched Western then co over strait line states cutlery over bolder colo ? Makes me wonder if perhaps your knife is older than I first thought .some of the knifes sold by the platts Out west from 1911 -31 or latter were manufactured from other companies out east marked with the western brand and resold from Colorado before the bolder plant came into operation.makes me curious if your knife may be a early knife that was made by a company out east ? attachment=5]IMG_7675.jpeg[/attachment]

I can't tell you how happy I am that I'm actually getting information about this knife. It has always been special to me. I've never carried it because I was afraid something would happen to it. I gave $10 for it back in the seventies and I wish I could find another one.

gpadgett wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 12:53 am I can't tell you how happy I am that I'm actually getting information about this knife. It has always been special to me. I've never carried it because I was afraid something would happen to it. I gave $10 for it back in the seventies and I wish I could find another one.

It is indeed a special and quite interesting knife ! Thanks again for sharing .Here a picture of a strait razors that has similar marking to your knife .If my memory is correct western state dropped the manufacturing co from their logo sometime around 1921 ? I am also going to add your knifes tang stamp to the western tang stamp post that is also in this forum .Maybe someone will come along on the other post with more information than I possess attachment=0]IMG_7689.jpeg[/attachment]

After researching I think I have found more information as to the age of your knife.on a previous post (BX 43 fixed blade ) provided by zzyzzogeton who is our resident A.A.P.K..expert on the western line of knifes .The post can be easily accessed by putting BX 43 fixed blade into the search bar at the top of the western forum page .zzyz gives your knife a date of 1912 - early 1930s when western states dropped the manufacturing co from their logo . The pattern of your knife to the best of my knowledge is what is called a swell center half whittler .Your knifes tang stamping On a folder makes my mouth water for one like it .A rare bird I would think scarce as hens teeth .

I am so thankful for the info that I've gotten. I knew it was special when I got it. one of the best $10 I ever spent. I would love to find another but given it's age , I not very hopeful. Who knows, there may someone out there in AAPK that might have one they would part with.

gpadgett, your subject knife was a common pattern from many different cutleries. Most called it a two-blade, swell-center pen knife. When knife collecting became popular some collectors began calling it a “half whittler”. Since so many cutleries, including Western, made the pattern you should be able to find one. If you’re particularly enamored of the Western version, I suggest looking for a newer knife, which will be the same pattern but much easier to find.

Good luck with your search.

Ken

Thanks Ken. I really do like the style/size of mine but another by a different brand would be nice also.