Old and Obscure Brands

This forum is dedicated to the discussion and display of old knives. The rich history of all the many companies that made them through the early years will be found here as well as many fine examples of the cutlers art. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here!
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americanedgetech
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by americanedgetech »

I LOVE piecing together old, cold trails.
I can imagine the knife being made in Germany, sent to an exporter in London, and eventually being sold bulk to an importer in Dover USA.

Maybe you can tie the threads together from this thought process to find the players. ::tu::
Ken Mc.

WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
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Tsar Bomba
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by Tsar Bomba »

MoMetal wrote:Other than, it's probably not worth me continuing to waste my time looking. Thanks, again, for the response.
First, ::welcome:: to AAPK!

Regarding the search for information and illumination about old and rare knives, I've always thought that was at least half the fun of the hobby besides just accumulating blades. AAPK has proven to be a fantastic place for information but it's far from the only one, and sometimes it does take a little time for the 'right' people to stumble across a thread. Frankly, for some of the questions I've seen asked here, I've been surprised at the speed and authoritativeness of many answers and posters here in identifying some of these knives and passing along information regarding them.

There are a few well-known reference books out there that act as a touchstone for obscure cutlery brand information and bits and pieces remain squirreled away on small web sites as well. You can hone your blades and hone your research skills trying to discover information about some of these makers and knives, for sure. :lol:
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americanedgetech
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by americanedgetech »

I second every word! ::tu::
Ken Mc.

WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
kootenay joe
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by kootenay joe »

Here is a rather plain but very well made older knife marked only Peerless Cut. Co.`; 3.75`inch single spring dbl.end jack. Great swages on both sides of master spearpoint blade. I don`t know what the handles are but robbing vigorously with thumb gives off a slight rubber smell (very slight). Could they be gutta percha which was made from natural rubber.
Seems like a pre WW II German knife to me but `Germany`is not marked on the knife. Handles do have a worm groove like pattern so might this be a Robeson or Cattaraugus
kj
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Tsar Bomba
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by Tsar Bomba »

I just love the way a well-crafted pocket knife fits together in its housing even when it was built with technology that pales in comparison to what we have available today. Deep swedge, doesn't seem to be any blade rub at all, still looks good after all these years. That Peerless knife just oozes quality and pride in craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing, kj! ::tu::
BWT
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by BWT »

Really nice looking knife, has certainly been taking good care of. Thanks for letting us enjoy it too!!
Bill
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by kootenay joe »

Thanks for the compliments. It is a much nicer knife than i was expecting. I am hoping someone may be able to ID it as German or USA. BRL gives Peerless Cut Co as imported, Germany, but there is no country of origin marking which usually indicates a USA manufactured knife.
kj
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FRJ
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by FRJ »

Here is a Henry Sears & Son 1865. 1897-1959. 3" closed.
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Jacknifeben
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by Jacknifeben »

Somebody must have got a lot of money for their cattle at Union Stock Yards in Chicago.
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Jacknifeben
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by Jacknifeben »

Not sure what year this card was but but I think the lock back knife was made by either NAPANOCH or very early Winchester.
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tongueriver
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by tongueriver »

What a beautiful knife! Special thanks for showing it. ::tu::
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americanedgetech
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by americanedgetech »

kootenay joe wrote:Here is a rather plain but very well made older knife marked only Peerless Cut. Co.`; 3.75`inch single spring dbl.end jack. Great swages on both sides of master spearpoint blade. I don`t know what the handles are but robbing vigorously with thumb gives off a slight rubber smell (very slight). Could they be gutta percha which was made from natural rubber.
Seems like a pre WW II German knife to me but `Germany`is not marked on the knife. Handles do have a worm groove like pattern so might this be a Robeson or Cattaraugus
kj

Hey KJ,
I think I found something that will open a trail for you... http://uniclectica.com/misc/manuf.html
PEERLESS CUTLERY CO.
513 Broadway, New York City
ca. 1920 - 1921

Your knife looks like it could fit for that era.
I hope this helps. ::tu::
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Ken Mc.

WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Is my Brantford stockman considered old and obscure?
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FRJ
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by FRJ »

Jacknifeben, That lock back is a real beauty. A pleasure to view.

Olde Cutler, That Brantford is a great knife. I have two and they are well made.
Joe
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FRJ
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by FRJ »

Here's an old T. Hessenbruch & Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1873-1906. ..... 3 5/8" closed.
Ebony covers and brass liners. Half stops on both blades.
A very strong and fine old knife.
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Jacknifeben
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by Jacknifeben »

Thanks for taking a look at my knives, it has been fun.
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

One more old and obscure. Wilbert Moose. I understand they were made by Napanoch and sold in the Sears and Roebuck catalog. I have seen a reprint of a 1908 Sears catalog and this knife is in there listed as the "Gladiator" and could be ordered for 74 cents plus 5 cents shipping!! This is the only Wilbert I have and the only one I have ever seen. Any more out there??

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peanut740
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by peanut740 »

Challenge also made some Wilberts and probably others did also.
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by kootenay joe »

Wow ! Fantastic old Moose ! And Wilbert is a very collectible brand. Yes there are more Wilbert knives out there but almost all have been heavily used. It is rare to see one in as good condition as your moose. I think "Wilbert" was a branding exclusive to Sears and people who ordered from them were working people who bought tools to use.
kj
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espn77
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by espn77 »

This is a 1908 Sears catelog.
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FRJ
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by FRJ »

Very nice Moose Olde Cutter. ::tu::

Here's an American Shear and Knife, Hotchkissville, Connecticut. 1853-1914. 3 5/8" closed.
Thanks for looking.
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Joe
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Thanks for the replies on the Wilbert Moose and thanks espn77 for the catalog pages. I see it on the first page and the order # is 6K16997 for 74 cents. I am going to order a couple more!! You guys are posting great pictures of brands of knives I don't have (YET)!
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
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edge213
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by edge213 »

York Cutlery
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by FRJ »

Oakland Cutlery Co. 3 3/4".
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Old and Obscure Brands

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Another rather obscure brand I have is this Enderes camper/scout knife. Enderes was a tool company in Albert Lea Minnesota in the early 20th century, which is probably what this one is. Note that the square that contains the name has a small bar on the far left that makes up the capital E in Enderes.
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