Old Keen Kutter Knives

Keen Kutter was first used as a knife brand by Simmons Hardware Company in 1870. The trademark was used on the highest quality tools and cutlery Simmons offered.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by TPK »

buckshot22 wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 11:06 pm Great Keen Kutters everyone! Fun to look through this thread to learn. I have a couple quick questions about one from my dad’s old collection. According to what I’ve learned, it’s likely a Schrade, peach seed jig, post 1940. 879 stamp on the Master. Should the blade be etched? The blades look to me to be stainless, but there’s no SS or Stainless markings. Also, the stamp does not have “ears”. Is that right for the era? I have a couple other knives and a pretty old display case I’ll post later. Thanks! Buck
Hi buckshot 22,

I'm glad your questions have already been answered because "I'm with stupid". :mrgreen: :lol:
Anyways, that's a great looking KK! ::tu:: Love them bones & the jigging! ::nod:: ::super_happy::
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buckshot22
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by buckshot22 »

Here’s a couple more KKs from my dad’s collection. Am I right that the Barlow is likely Shapleigh made - with the “ears” on the stamp? Or do the pin placements say something about the maker?
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by edge213 »

buckshot22 wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:01 pm Here’s a couple more KKs from my dad’s collection. Am I right that the Barlow is likely Shapleigh made - with the “ears” on the stamp? Or do the pin placements say something about the maker?
Likely Camillus made during the Shapleigh Era.
Shapleigh was not a knife manufacturer.
David
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by buckshot22 »

edge213 wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:08 pm
buckshot22 wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:01 pm Here’s a couple more KKs from my dad’s collection. Am I right that the Barlow is likely Shapleigh made - with the “ears” on the stamp? Or do the pin placements say something about the maker?
Likely Camillus made during the Shapleigh Era.
Shapleigh was not a knife manufacturer.
Thanks, David. I really appreciate the clarification. Still trying to get a grip on all of this with Keen Kutters
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by edge213 »

buckshot22 wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 6:53 pm
edge213 wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:08 pm
buckshot22 wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:01 pm Here’s a couple more KKs from my dad’s collection. Am I right that the Barlow is likely Shapleigh made - with the “ears” on the stamp? Or do the pin placements say something about the maker?
Likely Camillus made during the Shapleigh Era.
Shapleigh was not a knife manufacturer.
Thanks, David. I really appreciate the clarification. Still trying to get a grip on all of this with Keen Kutters
::handshake::
David
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Ripster »

Picked up this 768 KK. the other day . Just getting into this KEEN KUTTER area . This one is 3 and 1/8 long and is in good shape,been used a bit but still solid . Can’t read the advertisement on the pile side ,Something in Tulsa . Would this be a Camillus made , Shapleigh period knife? It’s the same size and blades as the 41 Camillus in the pics . Really like the K K shield on there knives .
Some very nice knives here on this thread, and the info ,amazing. ::tu::
Thanks to all who’ve posted here,it’s been a great read and show .
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

Nice pen knife, JP. ::tu:: Definitely Shapleigh era and the ears on the tang stamp are indicative of Camillus made. Camillus often put a K at the start of the pattern number stamp, I am not sure if always? Also, I have always associated that particular shield with Schrade manufactured Keen Kutters? This particular model (768) is not listed in Sellens. However, there were not a lot of catalogs put out during the Shapleigh era (1940, 1942 and 1958).
Perhaps msteele6 will comment, he is much more knowledgable on KK manufacturers.
Dan
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Ripster »

danno50 wrote: Fri Feb 18, 2022 2:03 pm Nice pen knife, JP. ::tu:: Definitely Shapleigh era and the ears on the tang stamp are indicative of Camillus made. Camillus often put a K at the start of the pattern number stamp, I am not sure if always? Also, I have always associated that particular shield with Schrade manufactured Keen Kutters? This particular model (768) is not listed in Sellens. However, there were not a lot of catalogs put out during the Shapleigh era (1940, 1942 and 1958).
Perhaps msteele6 will comment, he is much more knowledgable on KK manufacturers.
Dan , appreciate your help and the info . ::tu::
It struck me a little odd the shield as you said is usually seen on Schrade made ? And the ears on the tang stamp say Camillus, but no K on the pile side by the model number. It’s been interesting learning things about the History of KK. and the people involved in it . Have a few books to get yet.
And the info that is posted here in the KK Section is great .
Have a good one out there Everyone .
JP
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Clark23 »

1fartsmella wrote: Mon Apr 06, 2020 5:11 am Dan, Outstanding collection. I'm proud to be the seller of the first knife in that group. Here is one from my whittler collection, stamped E.C Simmons St Louis on all 3 blades 3 7/16 closed.
I think this has some after market engraving on the back springs, done many years ago?
Hi there, I know this is a older post. Hope you can answer, but do you know possibly when this stamp started. I just bought a EC Simmons St. Louis on all blades and mine is a true Whittler without the tapered divider known as the Splitback. Mines in Pearl as well, I just ordered the knife so haven’t received yet. Hope to hear back thanks.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by stockman »

Early stamp Bar and Wedge logo was early 1900 hundreds. This was before.

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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Clark23 »

stockman wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 8:05 pm Early stamp Bar and Wedge logo was early 1900 hundreds. This was before.

Harold
So this is possibly pre 1900, I am taking it than?
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by stockman »

My guess 1900-1905. I have a couple KK with this stamp. Harold
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Clark23 »

stockman wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 1:43 am My guess 1900-1905. I have a couple KK with this stamp. Harold
Ah ok, thank you very much sir for the information. :)
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by schmoozer »

My two.
Folder is a KS210, 3-1/4”. This is not in the Sellens 2004 reference book.
No idea on the other, a deluxe steak knife.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

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schmoozer wrote: Mon May 30, 2022 9:30 pm My two.
Folder is a KS210, 3-1/4”. This is not in the Sellens 2004 reference book.
No idea on the other, a deluxe steak knife.
2DC3E0FD-FFEE-44D7-A50C-2B068DB041D4.jpeg96E34CDA-7D63-4033-BD54-2CF6B8E3F44B.jpeg5D1DC644-4BBF-45F3-945A-291F0C8D5C94.jpeg
Smoozer, like that folder ::nod::
Really nice Steak knife as well. In the box even !
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by schmoozer »

Thanks for your comment, ripstar. I found the KS210 in an antique store in Santa Fe back in 2015. He gave me the knife, in exchange for 5 straight razors that I mailed to him afterwards.
It was a great exchange, I love to deal with ethical sellers.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

Clark23 wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 6:28 am
1fartsmella wrote: Mon Apr 06, 2020 5:11 am Dan, Outstanding collection. I'm proud to be the seller of the first knife in that group. Here is one from my whittler collection, stamped E.C Simmons St Louis on all 3 blades 3 7/16 closed.
I think this has some after market engraving on the back springs, done many years ago?
Hi there, I know this is a older post. Hope you can answer, but do you know possibly when this stamp started. I just bought a EC Simmons St. Louis on all blades and mine is a true Whittler without the tapered divider known as the Splitback. Mines in Pearl as well, I just ordered the knife so haven’t received yet. Hope to hear back thanks.
Very nice knife, Clark23. ::tu:: ::tu:: There is not really any information on the "EC Simmons St Louis" tang stamp in any of my reference books. I have a few knives with that stamp and two of them have a fancy "Keen Kutter HAND HAMMERED" blade etch. Sellens says that this blade etch was used from 1895 to 1916?
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

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schmoozer wrote: Mon May 30, 2022 9:30 pm My two.
Folder is a KS210, 3-1/4”. This is not in the Sellens 2004 reference book.
No idea on the other, a deluxe steak knife.
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Nice knives, schmoozer. ::tu:: ::tu:: I believe the KS210 was made by Schrade in the early 1950s for Shapleigh Hardware. The only catalogs that Sellens had available for this time period were 1942 and 1958, so the KS210 was likely not in either of those catalogs. I like the steak knife, nice to have the box. ::tu::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by schmoozer »

Thanks for the info, Dan.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Jacknifeben »

Found this in a card board tube about 40 years ago.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Clark23 »

I need some answers in to which model this is, I am curious to know. Closest one I found was in bone and had a clip point blade and called it a three spring Whittler. Does anyone have catalog showing model #? Hope you all have a happy knife day TIA ::handshake::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

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Clark23 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:32 am I need some answers in to which model this is, I am curious to know. Closest one I found was in bone and had a clip point blade and called it a three spring Whittler. Does anyone have catalog showing model #? Hope you all have a happy knife day TIA ::handshake::
Congrats on a fabulous looking old knife. I saw that and couldn't resist bidding and hoping but alas, I was left in the dust of the serious bidders. What a score there. Kudos.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Clark23 »

Ivoryman wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 9:46 pm
Clark23 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:32 am I need some answers in to which model this is, I am curious to know. Closest one I found was in bone and had a clip point blade and called it a three spring Whittler. Does anyone have catalog showing model #? Hope you all have a happy knife day TIA ::handshake::
Congrats on a fabulous looking old knife. I saw that and couldn't resist bidding and hoping but alas, I was left in the dust of the serious bidders. What a score there. Kudos.
Thank you very much and same here, I been wanting a EC Simmons KK for awhile. Whittler is my favorite pattern so far. Do you or know anyone has a Catalog that may show this model I am curious to know it worth from years ago and possible year with what model # if possible.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Ivoryman »

Clark23 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 10:33 pm
Ivoryman wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 9:46 pm
Clark23 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:32 am I need some answers in to which model this is, I am curious to know. Closest one I found was in bone and had a clip point blade and called it a three spring Whittler. Does anyone have catalog showing model #? Hope you all have a happy knife day TIA ::handshake::
Congrats on a fabulous looking old knife. I saw that and couldn't resist bidding and hoping but alas, I was left in the dust of the serious bidders. What a score there. Kudos.
Thank you very much and same here, I been wanting a EC Simmons KK for awhile. Whittler is my favorite pattern so far. Do you or know anyone has a Catalog that may show this model I am curious to know it worth from years ago and possible year with what model # if possible.

You're welcome anytime and I hope you show that baby around the whittler threads too, that is beautiful. That knife should be seen more. I do not have any references or Catalogs, but there are some Keen Kutter guys around these threads. I think Danno is one. He would know more than I, but as far as value or what it is worth goes, I would say whatever it sold for at open auction is probably about what it's worth. Auction is bidding against all the Keen Kutter collectors and knife enthusiasts and people who like that knife that week so you get a rough idea of what people are willing to pay. IMHO, your results may vary.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Clark23 »

Ivoryman wrote: Mon Jul 11, 2022 5:11 am
Clark23 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 10:33 pm
Ivoryman wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 9:46 pm

Congrats on a fabulous looking old knife. I saw that and couldn't resist bidding and hoping but alas, I was left in the dust of the serious bidders. What a score there. Kudos.
Thank you very much and same here, I been wanting a EC Simmons KK for awhile. Whittler is my favorite pattern so far. Do you or know anyone has a Catalog that may show this model I am curious to know it worth from years ago and possible year with what model # if possible.

You're welcome anytime and I hope you show that baby around the whittler threads too, that is beautiful. That knife should be seen more. I do not have any references or Catalogs, but there are some Keen Kutter guys around these threads. I think Danno is one. He would know more than I, but as far as value or what it is worth goes, I would say whatever it sold for at open auction is probably about what it's worth. Auction is bidding against all the Keen Kutter collectors and knife enthusiasts and people who like that knife that week so you get a rough idea of what people are willing to pay. IMHO, your results may vary.
I won a bid on eBay so that’s how I came across this piece, I would like to know it’s true value if possible as well. Can I ask you are you able to point me into the direction on what Whittler threads? I don’t get on here very often and still learning how to navigate all this. Thank you very much again! ::handshake::
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