Honk Falls Knife Co. 1921-1929

[JAMESC41001]

I have been gathering information concerning the Honk Falls Knife Co. for a collectors guide. With help from friends and fellow collectors, many here on AAPK, it is coming along slow but sure. So far I have been able to photograph about 50 patterns. If anyone has an example they can post some further insight may likely be gained. Honks were very well made knives and their story touches on many aspects of the cutlery industry at the time. The history and story is compelling but the knives themselves tell their own story. Especially for collectors well versed at reading a knife. Any Honks in any condition would be appreciated here.

This large barehead jack is unused with the factory edge. Ebony handles, just like I like em. Please post them if you have them!
Jay

[KAW]

Very Sweet Jay... this is one of the Hudson Valley brands that has eluded me thus far...
Look forward to your collector's guide... keep me informed as to when it will be released.
Did you receive the DuVall invoice I attempted to send you?

[JAMESC41001]

Ken I did not receive it but I would like to include a pic of that in my guide if that’s ok. As you know Honk Falls Knives were made in the old Duvall rake factory. I have a Honk you may be interested in. Let me know.
Jay

[BWT]

Very nice Jay. I have never seen one in person, but if I ever come across one in my price range!!! I definitely watch out for them or any other brand from that era and from the northeast. That's a good looking knife though.

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Bill, these are a bit scarce. Half the battle is locating one. Of coarse the other half is not much easier. Good luck. If you find one do share a pic.
Jay

[deo-pa]

I noticed there is a German circa 1990s Honk Falls in the AAPK store (sold). Is this one of those deals where Parker resurrected the name for a short run? The new Honk Falls knives must be low quality because they are cheap on eBay; so cheap maybe they are Chinese. Will your book touch on these modern ones Jay? If for no other reason than to alert the uninitiated.

Dennis

[LongBlade]

I have been gathering information concerning the Honk Falls Knife Co. for a collectors guide. With help from friends and fellow collectors, many here on AAPK, it is coming along slow but sure. So far I have been able to photograph about 50 patterns. If anyone has an example they can post some further insight may likely be gained. Honks were very well made knives and their story touches on many aspects of the cutlery industry at the time. The history and story is compelling but the knives themselves tell their own story. Especially for collectors well versed at reading a knife. Any Honks in any condition would be appreciated here.
IMG_1368.jpg
This large barehead jack is unused with the factory edge. Ebony handles, just like I like em. Please post them if you have them!
Jay

Awesome knife to start the thread Jay ... The knife is great end to end but the secondary sheep foot blade puts it way over the top for me ..,

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Lee. Dennis, I have pics of the original marks and and the modern tang stamps for comparison. I don’t plan on getting in depth with the modern knives, aside from a general awareness of them. The intent of the guide is to create a resource to help collectors make an informed decision on the purchase or sale of a vintage Honk Falls Knife. I did see the one you are referring to. I can’t speak to the quality of the modern knives as I do not own one. For sure there will be enough info where folks can distinguish between the newer and original. I very recently won a vintage pearl honk at auction that stayed low, probably do to the fact it looked similar to some of the modern ones. If I had not just finished photographing two examples of the same pattern I would of also been confused. I’m not complaining but it is important for me to pass along what I’ve learned as many have helped me along the way. I will be telling the history mostly through the life of John Cushner, one of the principal owners. He was most certainly afflicted with the same disease many of us are. For people looking to go straight to a reference guide and forego the history part I intend to make it easy to do so. Napanoch is a pretty special place. It is a microcosm of how this country was built. How’s that for an answer?

[FRJ]

It's great to see this thread, Jay, and it is so nice to see your beautiful knife.

[deo-pa]

How's that for an answer?

It is a great answer Jay. Your guide sounds like it will cover all aspects and be required reading for Honk Falls collectors, and guys like me who don't own one yet but hope to land a nice example. Good luck with the project and hope to see it in print soon.

Dennis

[JAMESC41001]

Joe, Dennis thank you for the encouraging comments. Here is something of a rare opportunity. Three pearl Honks of the same pattern for comparison. So far i have only found five patterns altogether and only eight knives altogether. this would suggest this pattern being likely the most common. If anyone has an example to post it would be great to add to the list.

[LongBlade]

Cool Jay ... No doubt first 2 have similar blades - maybe it’s just the photo but last one appears to have smaller blades ... quite a notch on master blade of first knife - when I see notches like that I sometimes think the owner did it for a reason unless it looks up close to have been definitive damage from abuse - I would almost guess stripping wires but that is a small knife for that function....

[JAMESC41001]

Good eye Lee. After having a look up close I think the notch was damage. Also take into account wear and blade loss on the used ones. It is unique to have an unused example to compare to. Still there are some differences like the indents in the pearl and liners to open the blades appear to be different to me. This is a little strange as the blade configuration is the same.

[danno50]

Good thread and great knives, Jay!

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Dan!

[JAMESC41001]

Here is an interesting Honk Falls Knife. I did not know quite what to make of this when I first saw it. Composite handles on a shadow pattern pen knife. Seemed a bit off. I looked back in Stidam’s book on Napanoch Knife, almost all honks match a Nap pattern, and sure enough it is listed in there. My understanding is that the first composite handle material was Bakelite?? Not sure if that is correct but Bakelite was patented in1909. The Nap Knives would have been made before 1919 so these must have been early examples. I have not seen a Napanoch made with these handles but here is a Honk Falls. Any info on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[Miller Bro's]

Celluloid pre dates Bakelite by about 50 years or so. I would say those handles are celluloid.

Very nice knife!

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks for the reply. For some reason I was not thinking cell. Makes sense though. Guess I’m use to seeing fancy patterns with cell. Glad I asked.

[KAW]

Ken... I have a Honk you may be interested in. Let me know.
Jay

Jay I attempted to send you a PM yesterday but it is just sitting in my outbox as well as sending a email via AAPK.
I'm very much interested in the knife. Please contact me at kaw569@yahoo.com.

[JAMESC41001]

Ken, I responded to the PM. Let me know
Jay

[JAMESC41001]

This is an interesting knife because of the double pull. Napanoch used this feature on their elephant toes. This blade looks to have been shaped up. I think it is the only honk I have that’s been worked on(I think) but it is a a unique pattern and I’m pretty happy to have It regardless.

[BWT]

Two very nice knives James, you should be happy to own either one Definitely is interesting having two nail pulls!

[wlf]

Rare stamps on great patterns

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks guys. As you can see I’m a little into honk falls. Appreciate the comments. I’ve been researching jigged bone in an attempt to identify the various bone used by honk falls and my brain is starting to hurt.

[danno50]

Two nice ones, James! Interesting sleeveboard with double pulls. I wouldn't call it "worked on", it is just worn from use and sharpening.