Honk Falls Knife Co. 1921-1929

[JAMESC41001]

You sure do. Can you provide the length of the knives closed? Open as well would be great. I looked around a bit. I don’t believe Napanoch Knife offered that pattern. Both Winchester/Keen Kutter offered that pattern but the one that most resembles yours is the knife offered by Ulster. I mention this because it was common for companies to work together on orders. The Honk Falls factory fell victim to a fire and was destroyed. Ulster was not far away and there were many connections to it. Lots of history with Honk Falls.

[Robo]

James--I love the history of these companies and their connections with other companies through contracts and labor and management. I obsess about this all the time--mostly in my head. I can't wait to get my hands on this book. Good luck!!

Just to clarify... I'm not doubting the knife was factory made with both pulls... but why would one create a long pull that would not open the blade and shape an indent in the handle to access that pull if it won't function as such?

Ken, this perplexes me too. It seems redundant to have two pulls on a blade, especiaally if as you mentioned one was proven not to work well. Then there's the added cost for that extra bit of tooling. But I've been pondering another theory: the long pull isn't a pull but a fuller of sorts. I'm not suggesting that, like a real fuller (often misleadingly called a "blood groove") it was put there to lighten the blade. rather, it was a more decorative groove put there to give the blade a more interseting flow. The question is: were the knives with the two cuts considered premium? was the same pattern knife also made at the same time without the two cuts? Utica for example-- as other companies did--ofered knives at one price point without any top grind and at another price point with the top grind. One could argue that the swedge is there to provide better stabbing/sticking ability but it seems more likely to be a decorative groove ("The term "swage" is from the Old French "souage," meaning "decorative groove") and one that works well as such. Blades with a top grind are always more attractive than ones without. So maybe some cutlers found these knives looked cool with a groove that started at the tang and ended at the begining of the clip and they went with it for a while. And one final point: Unless your fingers are greasy, you don't really need any form of nail pull on large single bladed hunters etc. as they have enough exposed blade when closed to grab and open with the thumb and forefinger. But pocket knife blades look naked without them. So, in a way, nail nicks of any sort on certain knives could be considered decoritive first and practical second.

[wlf]

One thing to keep in mind is that most all these knives were used until there was little blade left to pinch, makers took that into consideration.

[JAMESC41001]

Interesting information. I’ve only handled a couple knives with the double pulls but they both had super strong springs. Definitely needed the extra leverage of the front nail nick.

[KAW]

Interesting theory Robo... and seems plausible, especially for a pattern considered to be a gentleman's knife... bu I'm a bit skeptical about management or a cutler would invest in the cost for a just decorative feature over functionality on what would be considered a workman's knife.

[JAMESC41001]

All this Honk Falls talk is getting me excited. Here are a couple from my collection.

[JAMESC41001]

Well it’s not often these days I get to add a new Honk to the collection. Been waiting for this one for a while. One of those days when your postman is your best friend.

[ea42]

Jay that's an amazing find! Congrats buddy!

Eric

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Eric.

[FRJ]

A beautiful knife. Nice catch.

[Duffer]

Jay, simply outstanding

[LongBlade]

Stunner Jay ... and great score for your collection ...

[JAMESC41001]

Thank you guys. Appreciate it

[RalphAlsip]

James, the Honk Falls coke bottle is a super nice knife.

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Ralph, my first coke bottle hunter. They are a hand full. Always wanted one. Luckily the seller hung on to it for me till I could come up with the scratch. Lots of good people in the knife collecting biz. And here on aapk.

[JAMESC41001]

just got this Harness jack in today. Been looking for one of these for a while now.

[peanut740]

James,that is a dandy!Has good as they get.

[LongBlade]

Beautiful knife Jay - ... That bone and all look sweet!!!!!! Is it a cattle knife or harness jack as you mention? I'm thinking a cattle knife ... but a beauty either way ...

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Lee. Think your right. Cattle knife sounds correct. Although I’m not sure the distinction exactly.

[LongBlade]

Jay - Harness jacks are usually a spear point blade and a punch or awl side by side in a regular jack 2 blade style... I believe Cattle knives are 3 (or 4) blades like yours but the spey blade next to the clip with punch on other end would be a cattle knife blade pattern ( a clip blade is classic on them as opposed to spear point blades as on the HJ).. Cattle knives came in many different blade arrangements but check the Cattle knife thread for lots of great examples... It is a stunning Cattle knife Jay ...

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Lee that is a great explanation and much appreciated.

[FRJ]

James, that is a very special knife.

[JAMESC41001]

Thanks Roger and FRJ. Did not see your post right away Rodger. Thanks for the kind words. Luckily it is in better shape then the sellers pics showed. Tempted to clean up some gunk off it but I just put a little oil and left it as is.

[JohnR]

Jay, that is a great looking knife, congratulations!

[RobesonsRme.com]

Oh My.

That is nice.

That master clip is just killer.

Who wouldn't want a knife with that in it?

Charlie