Jowika Towika Ireland

[ogrickesteves]

I just won this knife for $2.50. Pretty sure it's a deal but I could find no info on this company. Anyone know about this company?

[Owd Wullie]

It is Jowika as I recall.

Found this info at Britishblades.com

"Jowika Stahwlarenfabrik Eugen Weber & Altenbach KG was the full name of this German mfr of low-end mass market cutlery. It began prior to 1928 under the name Kleinwefers; became Jowika some time prior to 1939.

Jowika opened a branch factory in Listowel, Ireland, in 1960, which was acquired by Imperial Schrade in 1978. Closed about a year and a half before Schrade closed."

[ogrickesteves]

Thanks for the info. So I guess $2.50 was about right.

[Owd Wullie]

They remind me a lot of the Richards and the late Colonial stuff. That one looks a LOT nicer than most I've seen.

[philco]

I have a few of the Imperial Ireland stamped knives that came out of that factory. Although the knife you bought is not a highly prized collectable, it should be a darned good user. The ones I have from there are surprisingly well made and have good steel in the blades. In my way of thinking, any time you can buy a good user knife for $2.50, you have done very well for yourself.

Sharpen that one up and put it in your pocket and then, a year from now, tell me if you disagree with my assessment.

Phil

[Samantha77]

Cam somebody please tell me how much this one is worth?

[Samantha77]

Does this mean it's fake MOP?

[Mumbleypeg]

Does this mean it's fake MOP?

Welcome to AAPK. Yes, it's artificial - some type of plastic. The manufacturers typicaly call it imitation pearl. It's often referred to by collectors as "Mother of Toilet Seat".

The knife isn't worth much, maybe $5 best case. I have one just like it, gifted to me recently by a member here in our annual humorous "POS" exchange. Hopefully yours is in better shape than mine.

Ken

[Samantha77]

thank you! I'm going to clean it up, at least it has a bottle opener on it

[Eustace]

From other forum:

Jowika Stahlwarenfabrik Eugen Weber & Altenbach KG.

Founded in Solingen in 1928, under the name Johann & Wilhelm Kleinewefers GMBH, Messerfabrik. JWK for short, hence JoWiKa.

Sold to Eugen Weber in the 1930s. Weber was married to a woman named Altenbach, from a family that manufactured innovative low-priced pocketknives, as well as other cutlery items.

In 1960 Weber opened a branch factory in Listowel Ireland. It was sold to Albert M. Baer of Imperial Schrade in 1978; he kept on the German born manager. The Listowel factory was closed about a year and a half before the U.S. Schrade factory closed. Les deAsis of Benchmade bought some of its newer machinery (he said it cost more to ship than to buy).

The Jowika factory in Solingen closed in 1984.

[jerryd6818]

Excellent research Georgi.

[doglegg]

Cam somebody please tell me how much this one is worth?

Samantha, from the look of the band aid on your ring finger are you also a whittler?

[Samantha77]

Cam somebody please tell me how much this one is worth?

Samantha, from the look of the band aid on your ring finger are you also a whittler?

I would if I had a chance, I've tried before but I don't have time now. That's actually from trying to move an open knife without paying attention. I was getting ready to feed my 5 month old son and was paying more attention to his hands so he wouldn't grab it. I didn't realize how ridiculously sharp it was lol

[doglegg]

Cam somebody please tell me how much this one is worth?

Samantha, from the look of the band aid on your ring finger are you also a whittler?

I would if I had a chance, I've tried before but I don't have time now. That's actually from trying to move an open knife without paying attention. I was getting ready to feed my 5 month old son and was paying more attention to his hands so he wouldn't grab it. I didn't realize how ridiculously sharp it was lol

With a 5 month old you do not have time, almost for anything. Enjoy that boy as he will be 25 in about 3 weeks.

[Paladin]

Samantha, from the look of the band aid on your ring finger are you also a whittler?

I would if I had a chance, I've tried before but I don't have time now. That's actually from trying to move an open knife without paying attention. I was getting ready to feed my 5 month old son and was paying more attention to his hands so he wouldn't grab it. I didn't realize how ridiculously sharp it was lol

With a 5 month old you do not have time, almost for anything. Enjoy that boy as he will be 25 in about 3 weeks.

Yep, next week he'll be wanting a car!

Ray