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 treefarmer »

What they said! ::tu::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Oledadsknives »

Lama wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 6:47 pm Speaking of Keen Jimbo, the logo stamped on the cap bolster is pretty nifty. Can you post a photo of its blades? The congress is a beaut also. I enjoy thinking of the history a knife that well used may have behind it. They both have nice bones.
Sorry lama, I didn’t see your comment until just now. I have been helping the wife after knee surgery #3. Here are shots of the blades and the bolster. Thanks for looking.
B1D917C0-BE56-47DE-977F-D6C45DD6FE33.jpeg
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5243AEA8-0B9D-45A6-91BD-18B4692D1A8F.jpeg
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Lama »

Nice, thank you.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Ivoryman »

msteele6 wrote: Mon Feb 13, 2023 4:25 pm Here are a couple of mine:
That's a gorgeous pair, love the bones and shield, and very nice condition. Beauties. ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Lama »

I think I just picked up the cousin to you sleeve board, Jimbo. It's in as found condition.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Oledadsknives »

Lama wrote: Wed Feb 15, 2023 1:40 pm I think I just picked up the cousin to you sleeve board, Jimbo. It's in as found condition.
I think you’re right. Close enough to be a cousin I would say too. That’s a great find and in great shape!👍🏻
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by peanut740 »

Oledadsknives wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:38 am
Lama wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 6:47 pm Speaking of Keen Jimbo, the logo stamped on the cap bolster is pretty nifty. Can you post a photo of its blades? The congress is a beaut also. I enjoy thinking of the history a knife that well used may have behind it. They both have nice bones.
Sorry lama, I didn’t see your comment until just now. I have been helping the wife after knee surgery #3. Here are shots of the blades and the bolster. Thanks for looking. B1D917C0-BE56-47DE-977F-D6C45DD6FE33.jpeg5243AEA8-0B9D-45A6-91BD-18B4692D1A8F.jpeg5243AEA8-0B9D-45A6-91BD-18B4692D1A8F.jpeg
Nice pattern,but the handles are not original to the knife.
Roger
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Oledadsknives »

Hey Roger, I didn’t think they were! Never seen bone like that before.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by stockman »

Oledadsknives wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:41 am Hey Roger, I didn’t think they were! Never seen bone like that before.
Jimbo
isn't that Rogers bone.

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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Oledadsknives »

stockman wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:24 pm
Oledadsknives wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:41 am Hey Roger, I didn’t think they were! Never seen bone like that before.
Jimbo
isn't that Rogers bone.

Harold
I have no idea Harold. All I know is the knife has different bone than all the kk’s I’ve seen. I thought it would be good to post it and receive feedback on it.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Oledadsknives »

peanut740 wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 3:48 am
Oledadsknives wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:38 am
Lama wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 6:47 pm Speaking of Keen Jimbo, the logo stamped on the cap bolster is pretty nifty. Can you post a photo of its blades? The congress is a beaut also. I enjoy thinking of the history a knife that well used may have behind it. They both have nice bones.
Sorry lama, I didn’t see your comment until just now. I have been helping the wife after knee surgery #3. Here are shots of the blades and the bolster. Thanks for looking. B1D917C0-BE56-47DE-977F-D6C45DD6FE33.jpeg5243AEA8-0B9D-45A6-91BD-18B4692D1A8F.jpeg5243AEA8-0B9D-45A6-91BD-18B4692D1A8F.jpeg
Nice pattern,but the handles are not original to the knife.
Do you know what knife co. Used that style of bone and jigging? Just wondering!
Jimbo
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Where I am is where I’ll be!!
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by peanut740 »

Oledadsknives wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:08 pm
peanut740 wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 3:48 am
Oledadsknives wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:38 am

Sorry lama, I didn’t see your comment until just now. I have been helping the wife after knee surgery #3. Here are shots of the blades and the bolster. Thanks for looking. B1D917C0-BE56-47DE-977F-D6C45DD6FE33.jpeg5243AEA8-0B9D-45A6-91BD-18B4692D1A8F.jpeg5243AEA8-0B9D-45A6-91BD-18B4692D1A8F.jpeg
Nice pattern,but the handles are not original to the knife.
Do you know what knife co. Used that style of bone and jigging? Just wondering!
Jimbo
Looks home made with a dremal tool.
Roger
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by stockman »

peanut740 wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:44 pm
Oledadsknives wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:08 pm
peanut740 wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 3:48 am

Nice pattern,but the handles are not original to the knife.
Do you know what knife co. Used that style of bone and jigging? Just wondering!
Jimbo
Looks home made with a dremal tool.
Roger that really surprises me. That is the last thing I thought you saw in this KK. If you are right the dude is good. Harold
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Oledadsknives »

peanut740 wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:44 pm
Oledadsknives wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:08 pm
peanut740 wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 3:48 am

Nice pattern,but the handles are not original to the knife.
Do you know what knife co. Used that style of bone and jigging? Just wondering!
Jimbo
Looks home made with a dremal tool.
I guess I got took on another one! Too many crooked knife people out there!! Live and learn for sure!
Jimbo
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Where I am is where I’ll be!!
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by msteele6 »

Here is a group of KK Balloon pattern knives, mostly whittlers:
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by ScoutKnives »

Awesome collection msteel6 , that pearl is something special ::drool::

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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

Very nice batch of whittlers! ::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by doglegg »

Love them
Especially the last one.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Resophonatic »

TripleF wrote: Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:00 am Justy scored this little beauty.

E.C. Simmons Keen Kutter 031681/4
I known this is an old post. But if you happen to read this
I was wondering If you have any info on the numbering system for thisKnife
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by TripleF »

Resophonatic wrote: Thu Aug 31, 2023 8:10 pm
TripleF wrote: Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:00 am Justy scored this little beauty.

E.C. Simmons Keen Kutter 031681/4
I known this is an old post. But if you happen to read this
I was wondering If you have any info on the numbering system for thisKnife
No clue whatsoever but somebody does here.....keep looking.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by msteele6 »

Keen Kutter pattern numbers are pretty cryptic. The number you gave appears to be one that was used in the Walden era, that is, when Walden Knife Co. or its predecessors were making the knives, say prior to the Winchester Simmons split. With these knives the first digit often denotes the number of blades so a 3168 would have 3 blades, normally the fraction, in this case "1/4" would designate a a blade style like Case, but in this particular case it designates the blade change from two pen blades to a pen blade and a cut off pen. Hope this helps.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

This electrician or lineman, pattern or style of pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I bought. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did not buy the group or lot for this particular pocket knife. I was surprised and pleased to discover it among the group or lot of pocket knives and it did get added to my general pocket knife accumulation. It is a KEEN KUTTER/Red Devil, U.S. SIGNAL CORPS, one blade, one tool (wire stripper), two tang stamps, 3 5/8" closed, two springs, electrician or lineman, pattern or style of pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp has the KEEN KUTTER logo or trademark symbol and says, "E.C. SIMMONS (over) KEEN (over) KUTTER (over) ST. LOUIS (over) MO." The tool front tang stamp says, "Red Devil (over) S. & H. CO. (over) NEW YORK (over) U.S.A." The shield says, "U.S. SIGNAL CORPS" Per GOINS (1998 Edition), "RED DEVIL S & H CO. N.Y. c 1900-1956 A trademark used by Smith & Hemenway from 1900 to 1936, and by L.P. Smith from 1936 to 1956." The main blade has no half stop, but it does have an ok opening and closing snap. The tool also has no half stop, but it does have an ok opening and closing snap. Overall, this pocket knife is in FAIR+ condition. It required a very minor cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Attachments
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The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Tool Front Tang Stamp.
The Tool Front Tang Stamp.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Recently, this "BARLOW", pattern or style of pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I purchased. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT buy the group or lot to obtain this particular pocket knife. However, it did turn out to be a keeper and it did get added to my general pocket knife accumulation. It is a KEEN KUTTER 783, two blades, two tang stamps, two bolster stamps, 3 3/8" closed, long main blade pull, two springs, "BARLOW", pattern or style of pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp has the KEEN KUTTER logo or trademark symbol and ONLY says, "KEEN (over) KUTTER" The main blade back tang stamp says, "783" Both bolsters are stamped "KEEN KUTTER" (sharing the "K") The main blade has a good half stop, also a good opening and closing snap. The secondary blade also has a good half stop, as well as a good opening and closing snap. Overall, this pocket knife is in VERY GOOD condition. It required a very minor cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Attachments
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The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Main Blade Back Tang Stamp.
The Main Blade Back Tang Stamp.
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
Clint Eastwood-The Outlaw Josey Wales

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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Recently, this pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I bought. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT buy the group or lot of pocket knives to obtain this particular pocket knife. However, it did turn out to be a keeper and it was added to my general, pocket knife accumulation. It is a SIMMONS, two blades, one tang stamp, 3 3/8" closed, two springs, "barehead jack", pattern or style of pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says, "SIMMONS (over) ST. LOUIS" The main blade has a CRISP half stop, along with a GOOD opening and closing snap. The secondary blade has a VERY CRISP half stop, also a WICKED opening and closing snap. Both blades have seen some use. But, this pocket knife is still in FAIR+ condition. It did need some cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Attachments
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
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The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
Clint Eastwood-The Outlaw Josey Wales

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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Recently, this "stockman" pattern or style of pocket knife arrived in a group or lot of pocket knives that I purchased. It now becomes my latest example to be posted under this topic or thread. I did NOT purchase the group or lot to obtain this particular pocket knife. However, I was pleased to discover it among the group or lot of pocket knives and I did add it to my general pocket knife accumulation. It is a KEEN KUTTER, three blades, three tang stamps, 3 1/4" closed, two springs, long blade pull, milled liners, "stockman", pattern or style of pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp, VERY FAINT, has the KEEN KUTTER logo or trademark symbol and says, "E.C. SIMMONS (over) KEEN (over) KUTTER (over) ST. LOUIS (over) MO." The secondary blade back tang stamp has the KEEN KUTTER logo or trademark symbol and says, "E.C. SIMMONS (over) KEEN (over) KUTTER (over) ST. LOUIS (over) MO." The third blade front tang stamp has the KEEN KUTTER logo or trademark symbol and says, "E.C. SIMMONS (over) KEEN (over) KUTTER (over) ST. LOUIS (over) MO." The main blade has no half stop, but has an ok opening and closing snap. The secondary blade has no half stop and no opening snap. But, it does have an ok closing snap. The third blade has no half stop or opening snap, but it has an ok closing snap. This pocket knife is in VERY GOOD condition and still has a lot of life left. I gave it a very minor cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Attachments
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Secondary Blade Back Tang Stamp.
The Secondary Blade Back Tang Stamp.
The Third Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Third Blade Front Tang Stamp.
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
Clint Eastwood-The Outlaw Josey Wales

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