Landers Frary and Clark

[Another Knife Collector]

Found some unfinshed blades and handles by L F & C at an antique shop recently. How about showing off your L F & C knives?

[gringo]

i only have one L.F.&C. 3 1/4 closed. weird plastic scales.

[upnorth]

Here's an LF&C EE Jack with faux stag handles. Nice deep etch on the blade. They used Universal as a trade name I guess.

[jonet143]

according to my research, universal manufactured cutlery from 1852 - 1912 when the factory was aquired by landers, frary & clark. l,f & c remodled the plant and added many new patterns.

[upnorth]

Aha! So it looks like LF&C continued to trade on the Universal brand!? I wonder if anyone has a knife with just the UNIVERSAL name on it??
Don't mean to hijack here, but it's a natural assumption.
I will try and get back on track with another LF&C.
Thanks Johnnie!!

[gringo]

the knife i showed is marked L.F.&C. over U.S.A. master blade only, no other markings.

[philco]

I have a L F & C collection that is exactly twice the size of Gringo's

One is an official Boy Scout knife.
The tang stamp on it reads as follows;

L F & C
Universal
Made in USA

The word "Universal" is inside a shield shaped rectangle. (Looks like the etch on the blade of Upnorths knife)


The second one is a small equal end cigar jack.
The tang stamp on it is in larger letters than the scout and say only;

L F & C
U S A

If I could take a closeup worth a hoot I would show you.

Here's the scout.

[Mossdancer]

This old guy looks to have been rode hard and put away wet, still a good example of a fairly early one.
moss

[orvet]

Nice one Moss!
Is that jigged bone?

Dale

[upnorth]

Nice one Moss!
Is that jigged bone?

Dale

LF&C used a plastic stag on a lot of knives. It was black with brown undertones. Interesting, but I think their formulas varied, and some of them deteriorated badly. Maybe those were celluloid??
Yours is a nice one, Moss!
Here's a collage of LF&C HJs. One has the UNIVERSAL etch still intact.
The equal ender has wood handles, a light ebony or maybe walnut. The back handle is much darker but obviously the same grained wood.

[orvet]

I guess this shall for now the the official LF&C thread of the moment!

COME ON EVERYONE SHOW IS YOUR LF&Cs


First up for consideration is a nice old jack, one of my recent EDCs.
This is the second time it has been in the rotation.
It is 3-5/8 inches and had excellent carbon steel.
Takes an edge like a razor & holds it.

I REALLY like this knife!

Dale

[orvet]

Next is a celluloid pen knife, 3 inches in length with shrinkage and cracking at the pins.
Single back spring.
Think I will put some MOP on it some day when I get the time.

Dale

OK-someone else post some of your LF&Cs.

[upnorth]

I like that slim jack Dale! That's an oldie!
Threads come and go, but this is the first one that I've seen that features L F & Cs. There must be more out there.

[Sauconian]

Me too on the slim jack Dale !

If you're going to insist on an LF&C thread you'll have to settle for old photos....Winter weather today, 'ya know.

The first LF&C is pictured with along with a Camillus. The second one is a 2-7/8" whittler.

Oh....where to post it ?

[Paul M]

well I hope this does not bring this thread to a Grinding Halt! It's a MIB 3 Blade LF&C marked Universal
the only LF&C that I have.

[orvet]

I think that qualifies. There are more blades on that cutter than there are on any knife I have!
Some times collecting is a grind!

Dale

[Sauconian]

Oh Great ! Another wise guy.

Don't start that Paul, or you'll put me, Phil, and 'Ol JR outta business.




Well at least it cuts. LF&C is known to most people for kitchen supplies. Lots of brass hanging scales in the antique shops everywhere I go.

Fran

[Paul M]

Fran,
now that you mentioned scales or spring balances I have an old brass one marked "Frary's Improved Spring Balance"
no photo yet but I will assume pre Landers and Clark

[Mossdancer]

Dale;
Another for the Grist.
moss

[upnorth]

There are a lot of variations in the stamps for LF&C! I wonder if anyone has dating data? (did I say dating data?)
You know what I mean!!
Thanks for helping to crank up this thread Paul!!

[orvet]

Moss-
Nice one. I see a crack at a pin & shrinkage, so I assume celluloid.
That one looks like a prime candidate for a repair. Blades look good except for the broken one.

I have a couple more LF&C to post, but have to hurry off to the dentist & stuff, busy day.
I hope to post them tonight or tomorrow.

Dale

[Ringmaster]

Well, I'm not allowed to own any LF&C's...

Little brother takes all of 'em I find ( and he's a lot bigger and a lot younger ). Here's the latest one I found for him, tho':

Small scout or camp knife, rough black handles, in pretty decent condition. I got this one from a dealer in Flower Mound, Texas.
JR

[jonet143]

just got the 3" whittler from dave o and thought it should be included in this thread, main blade etch is still visable, "universal" over "stainless". cut swedge is a nice touch.

[Another Knife Collector]

Great bunch being shown, the handles on that one are real nice jonet.

[orvet]

Here are a couple more I have.

The pic does not do the celluloid on the small knife justice.
It is the most iridescent waterfall celluloid I have seen.
I cleaned the grease & paint off the knife & removed the broken pen blade.
It was just too pretty to throw away, in spite of the dark spots caused by grease that got behind the cell.
I still carry it some times when I need a small knife.


The other jack has a lot of blade loss but is otherwise a nice knife.
Both of these have super good carbon steel.

Show us some more!
Dale

PS-I have decided in my old age that suspenders are a good thing.
They mean that I can carry more knives in my pockets without risk of social embarrassment!