Cattaraugus Pan American expo knives

[galvanic1882]

So, in 1901 JBF Champlin had a booth at the Pan American Expo in Buffalo NY 1901. In that expo he had an unbelievable group of knives. This whittler is one of them. If you can find a copy of a pocket knives price guide dated 1979 by James Parker and Bruce Voyles you can see the write up and pictures of the pearl knives. Pages 203-210 has the pictures of the knives; page 205 has this whittler shown. There were also the same knives made in, what many believed, Ivory covers. Years later it was determined that those knives were covered in smooth bone. I have never seen any of them but wish I could find at least a few. Attached is a picture showing the other Pearls I have from the expo and some advertising items that were give aways.

Also pictured are the large carving pieces that were displayed at the expo. I was able to find where most of them were and get them all together for a picture. Some are in the American Cutlery Museum and others are in private collections. I had 4 sets of the carvers and just bought 2 more sets and the large wooden handles butcher knife shown. I had been trying to buy them for a very long time. They were owned by the grandson of the last President of Cattaraugus Cutlery.

[Beavertail]

That whittler is absolutely gorgeous!
I have a MOP Bulldog brand whittler that's practically identical.
Jim Parker must have used the Cattaraugus as a model when he had the Bulldog version made.

[Madmarco]

So, in 1901 JBF Champlin had a booth at the Pan American Expo in Buffalo NY 1901. In that expo he had an unbelievable group of knives. This whittler is one of them. If you can find a copy of a pocket knives price guide dated 1979 by James Parker and Bruce Voyles you can see the write up and pictures of the pearl knives. Pages 203-210 has the pictures of the knives; page 205 has this whittler shown. There were also the same knives made in, what many believed, Ivory covers. Years later it was determined that those knives were covered in smooth bone. I have never seen any of them but wish I could find at least a few. Attached is a picture showing the other Pearls I have from the expo and some advertising items that were give aways.

Also pictured are the large carving pieces that were displayed at the expo. I was able to find where most of them were and get them all together for a picture. Some are in the American Cutlery Museum and others are in private collections. I had 4 sets of the carvers and just bought 2 more sets and the large wooden handles butcher knife shown. I had been trying to buy them for a very long time. They were owned by the grandson of the last President of Cattaraugus Cutlery.

Beautiful Mike. Some really interesting knives in there. What is the longest knife in the center of the 2nd picture with the mosaic covers and round pommel? How long is it open, who made it, etc.? Thx!

[Ridgegrass]

Man, you're in my wheelhouse now! Great post, Thanks. J.O'.

[galvanic1882]

So, in 1901 JBF Champlin had a booth at the Pan American Expo in Buffalo NY 1901. In that expo he had an unbelievable group of knives. This whittler is one of them. If you can find a copy of a pocket knives price guide dated 1979 by James Parker and Bruce Voyles you can see the write up and pictures of the pearl knives. Pages 203-210 has the pictures of the knives; page 205 has this whittler shown. There were also the same knives made in, what many believed, Ivory covers. Years later it was determined that those knives were covered in smooth bone. I have never seen any of them but wish I could find at least a few. Attached is a picture showing the other Pearls I have from the expo and some advertising items that were give aways.

Also pictured are the large carving pieces that were displayed at the expo. I was able to find where most of them were and get them all together for a picture. Some are in the American Cutlery Museum and others are in private collections. I had 4 sets of the carvers and just bought 2 more sets and the large wooden handles butcher knife shown. I had been trying to buy them for a very long time. They were owned by the grandson of the last President of Cattaraugus Cutlery.

Beautiful Mike. Some really interesting knives in there. What is the longest knife in the center of the 2nd picture with the mosaic covers and round pommel? How long is it open, who made it, etc.? Thx!

I don’t own the knife but here is the owner standing next to it. He owns the American Cutlery museum in Cattaraugus.

[TPK]

Now that's a KNIFE!!! Wow!

Maybe still a bit small for Madmarco though.

[Madmarco]

Thanks for the picture Mike. Now THAT'S a BIG knife! From the picture I had no idea it was that big. It would seem I have met my match!

[Madmarco]

Now that's a KNIFE!!! Wow!

Maybe still a bit small for Madmarco though.

I never thought I would see the day that the words "that's almost too big" would cross my lips Tom, but.....!

[TPK]

Now that's a KNIFE!!! Wow!

Maybe still a bit small for Madmarco though.

I never thought I would see the day that the words "that's almost too big" would cross my lips Tom, but.....!

Almost

One good thing about it is, you wouldn't forget it's in your pocket when you put your cloths in the wash. And if by some chance you did, your wife would notice.

[Jacknifeben]

What is the length of the pearl whittler? Is the tang stamp really kind of light, not deep?

[galvanic1882]

Stamp on all blades is good. 4 1/8” closed

[Madmarco]

Now that's a KNIFE!!! Wow!

Maybe still a bit small for Madmarco though.

I never thought I would see the day that the words "that's almost too big" would cross my lips Tom, but.....!

Almost

One good thing about it is, you wouldn't forget it's in your pocket when you put your cloths in the wash. And if by some chance you did, your wife would notice.

I'd hate to see the pants that has pockets big enough to put THAT knife in Tom! LOL!

[Miller Bro's]

Here's a pair of unused handles from a pen knife Cattaraugus made.
Evidently they sold or gave away these knives during the Expo in 1901.

Anyone here have the completed knife?
Pretty cool knowing the exact age of them, 122 years old!

[1967redrider]

Very cool, Dimitri!

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks John