American Knife Co. Thomaston

[FRJ]

So glad to bring this American Knife Co. Thomaston into the collection.
What a nice old knife. 1875 - 1895. Half stops on both blades. 3 5/8"
At least 121 years old.

[gsmith7158]

Wow! That's a beauty Joe.

[FRJ]

Thank you, Greg.

[orvet]

Excellent example of a classic wood handle jack!
Love that long pull and awesome swedge!

[FRJ]

Thank you, Dale.
Nice to hear from you.

[danno50]

Excellent find, Joe! Lovely old knife.
Dan

[FRJ]

Thank you, Dan.

[bestgear]

Thanks for taking the time to share that one Joe, that's an heirloom worth hanging on to, great pickup! Tom

[galvanic1882]

I just got this info from a friend that knows a collector that lives in Conn, cool reading.

I would like to share with you this true story.
This week I went to a local jewelry store and spoke to the 72 year old owner that lived in Winsted hid whole life.
He told me the following story. He lived one street over from Highland lake where the first EMPIRE knife company was located.
Empire first operated out of this building using the overflow of the water from the lake to get power to run the equipment to make the knives. In 1903 to 1906 Empire move to a new building built just for them and by a larger water stream to have adiquite power
to make the knives. The old building buy the lake was used for other businesses. In 1955 whenWinsted had the great flood
the American knife company was using this lake building and making knives. On the morning of the 1955 flood the jewelry store owner woke up to a loud bang and crash. The excess water flowing from the lake was undermining the foundation of the American knife company factory. The flood took the building and all the knives and washed them downstream. The jewelry store owner was
11 years old boy at this time. He told me he walked along the banks of the river and picked up knives by the 5 gallon pail.
he said he gave knives to all his friends and relatives. I never new that the American Knife company used the first Empire Knife Building. it was a very interesting story to me. I hope you enjoy it.
Tom"

[XX Case XX]

That really is a gorgeous knife. Wow!! It just oozes HISTORY...

_____________
Mike

[bestgear]

Having grown-up in Connecticut I am very familiar with Highland Lake which began as an impoundment on the Mad River. In 1860, the town of Winchester constructed a dam across the river for flood control and later hydroelectric purposes. A unique feature of this dam is its spillway. During high water, the overflow from the lake washes over the top of the dam and across a major street. Traffic using the street must drive through the water. The construction of the dam raised the lake approximately 10 feet from its original height. Today the lake has a maximum depth of 63 feet and stretches for three miles when at full capacity. Fish in the lake include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, Atlantic salmon, and kokanee trout and it is considered a blue ribbon fishery.

[Duffer]

Joe just a fabulous antique Jack!! Love those beautiful wood handles What kind of wood is that? Ebony? Gorgeous figuring on the mark side! Anyway, congratulations on bringing that beauty into your collection. I know you must be extremely pleased because I know I would be Well done! Lloyd

[FRJ]

Thank you, Mike, I'm glad you like it.

Thank you, Lloyd.
I don't think the covers are Ebony. I really don't know what they are, but my guess would be Rosewood.
It is a fine old knife and so old. Thanks for the nice compliment.

[JohnR]

Joe, thats a nice one, awful lot to like about that knife, congratulations.

[FRJ]

Thank you, John.

[stockman]

Really Nice Knife.

Harold

[FRJ]

Thank you, Harold.
I've got a neat old Southington Cut. Co. in Knife Lore too. And a Terrier as well.

[FRJ]

I just got this info from a friend that knows a collector that lives in Conn, cool reading.

I would like to share with you this true story.
This week I went to a local jewelry store and spoke to the 72 year old owner that lived in Winsted hid whole life.
He told me the following story. He lived one street over from Highland lake where the first EMPIRE knife company was located.
Empire first operated out of this building using the overflow of the water from the lake to get power to run the equipment to make the knives. In 1903 to 1906 Empire move to a new building built just for them and by a larger water stream to have adiquite power
to make the knives. The old building buy the lake was used for other businesses. In 1955 whenWinsted had the great flood
the American knife company was using this lake building and making knives. On the morning of the 1955 flood the jewelry store owner woke up to a loud bang and crash. The excess water flowing from the lake was undermining the foundation of the American knife company factory. The flood took the building and all the knives and washed them downstream. The jewelry store owner was
11 years old boy at this time. He told me he walked along the banks of the river and picked up knives by the 5 gallon pail.
he said he gave knives to all his friends and relatives. I never new that the American Knife company used the first Empire Knife Building. it was a very interesting story to me. I hope you enjoy it.
Tom"

Mike, thanks for that story. I'm sorry it got ignored.
I wanted it to be seen and read again and I wanted to show off this old pruner in this thread.

Also, I want to show an "American Winsted" that Mike was referring to. American Knife Co., Winsted Ct.