Old Keen Kutter Knives

[LongBlade]

Late to the party but that is an awesome Simmons knife and cool pattern Jason .. pretty unique design for a lobster too imo ... Thanks for sharing that catalog cut from 1917 as well ...

[wlf]

Nice knife. It’s always icing on the cake with their catalog cut

[jxr1197]

I just picked up this interesting Keen Kutter 3.5" jack. The tang stamp is 3 lines: SIMMONS - H'DWARE - CO
It's not in Goins. The same stamp with England beneath it is a known 1868-1905 mark so it's likely the same era. Any guesses on who made it?

[New_Windsor_NY]

It looks like the price is Per Dozen.

[jxr1197]

It looks like the price is Per Dozen.

You're right but I think you may have missed the year. It would break down to a wholesale of about $4.66 per knife in 1917 which would work out to about $100 today. At $56 per, we'd be talking about a $1200 wholesale cost.

[danno50]

Interesting stamp, Jason, I have not seen that one before.

[JAMESC41001]

I’ve seen Keen Kutter knives advertised saying the are made with “Sheffield Steel” does anyone have information that can shed more light on this. Like what year this started or ended. I recently purchased Mr. Sellens book but have to say I’m a little disappointed with the lack of information. Makes a great catalog though.

[danno50]

I’ve seen Keen Kutter knives advertised saying the are made with “Sheffield Steel” does anyone have information that can shed more light on this. Like what year this started or ended. I recently purchased Mr. Sellens book but have to say I’m a little disappointed with the lack of information. Makes a great catalog though.

Good question. Below is a page from the 1912 catalog. Hopefully, it is readable. Under the section titled Blades, it has a description of the blades being hammer forged from the "Highest Grade of English Crucible Steel imported especially for the purpose". The 1917 catalog has exactly the same description. The 1930 catalog says the blades "are forged from the Highest Grade of Steel especially for the purpose". So they quit importing English steel sometime between 1918 and 1930?
In the picture of the boxes, I believe the box on the right may be from before 1905, when the wedge and bar shield was first used. It states that the knives were manufactured from S & C Wardlow's English Knife Blade Steel. This still doesn't answer when they first started using English steel?

Have to click on each of the images to make them large enough to be readable.

[stockman]

Jason, I have a couple KK's marked like yours. You have a nice old knife. It is before the Bar and wedge logo, probably pre 1905. IMO.

Harold

Sorry I did not read Dans reply. Edit

Harold

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Dan, That’s perfect I think I may be able to fill in the blanks. Picked up an interesting book. I think I will be able to connect some dots using the info you provided here. Much appreciated.
Jay

[danno50]

Harold, if you have KKs with the same stamp as the one Jason posted, could you please post photos?
Jay, please keep us informed as to what you figure out.

[wlf]

First is an old KK. Not much for looks, but it is the only one I've seen alive. Greener bone than most any other old green bone I've seen.Standard 4" FJ.I'm not good on the stamps dating like you Dan. I hope it's visible enough.

[wlf]

Here is a Simmons Hardware (less Germany,as far as I can see) Hornet (less the triangle too).

[danno50]

Lyle, the information I offer on KKs is not based on tang stamps, it comes from matching a knife to the most likely one listed in Alvin Sellens book on Keen Kutters. Sometimes it is very obvious and sometimes not. Anyone who has the book can do the same.
There is only one farmer's jack in Sellens book, pattern number K0243. His lists it as being in the Simmons catalogs from 1905 through to 1920.
The Simmons Hardware FJ is a beautiful knife!!

[JohnR]

Added this decent Keen Kutter Barlow, pattern 2881. Fairly full blades other than a divot out of the main, thinking 1920's due the the Made In USA and hammered pins.

[wlf]

Pretty nice John.

[JohnR]

Pretty nice John.

Thanks Lyle, I do like these old ones, lots of character.

[KAW]

Very nice John ... really an every day workman's knife... tough to find a vintage barlow that not well used... and why I have only one which also is of lower grade condition until something better comes along... been years and still waiting...

[danno50]

Nice old barlow, John!

[danno50]

I picked up a few Keen Kutters at the OKCA show this year.

[danno50]

A few more.

[LongBlade]

Awesome KK scores at OKCA Dan ... They are all beauties in super condition but the Physician’s Knife is a stunner and really caught my eye - The KK stamp on bottom of rear bolster is very cool ... nice full blades on the EO too ...

[KAW]

That's quite a haul you obtained there Dan!!! That must have been some show!!!

[danno50]

Thanks Lee and Ken. It was quite a show!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I looked and looked for this thread when I got this Keen Kutter back from Muskrat Man and couldn’t find it. Here is the before and after. I know the main blade is too short but it was all I could find w/ the same St Louis tang stamp. This is a solid knife and feels great in hand. The handles and bolsters were in such good shape I thought it was worth saving. Need to sharpen it and clean up that edge and it will be ready for anything.
SSk