All About Pocket Knives

Awesome Joe, thanks for sharing.

Beautiful knives Joe They look to be in awesome condition.

Thanks so much, guys.

These pictures are of a Union Cut Co Jack knife with blue black bone handles that is marked Union Cut. Co. Olean N.Y. The included catalog image resembles the knife. I would be grateful for any insight that could be provided about this knife.

Jerry,I have a similar knife to yours if it is just short of 3 3/4".This one is just marked Kabar.The color of the bone I've hadn't seen before.The jigging may be correct.But the thing that bothers,me the most is the thickness of the bone.Here is one that is just stamped Kabar.

A similar stag,also just marked kabar.

peanut740 wrote:But the thing that bothers,me the most is the thickness of the bone.

Roger, Thanks for comments. I am wondering myself if the knife may have been rehandled.

Here's a neat little Union Cut. Co. 3 5/16"

Just a beat up old single-spring Union equal-ender. Interesting design, translucent celluloid scales that do all sorts of neat things in the sunlight, very slim, vanishes in the pocket but holds a wicked edge.

That's a nice one Tony.

The Union Cut. Co.'s will likely come around a little worse for wear. Made in the early part of the 20th century.

Some better photos of my Union:
Interesting construction, almost like with tip bolsters but all the way around the knife. No separate liners, but the knife is still plenty rigid for such a slim single-spring knife. The pile side waterfall celluloid really pops in the light. The effect is apparent on the mark side, too, but far more subdued.

Tony, That is a really classy old survivor. I love the character it has. ___Dave

Thanks, Dave, I agree that it's a pretty sweet piece of cutlery history. Old gal's gotta be getting up towards 100 but still makes an excellent user after all this time, and the blades are holding absolutely hair-carving edges with minimal upkeep. I actually keep it away from my other celluloid knives because the cell on this one has remained stable and the visual effect of the handles is still intact after such a long period of time that I can't imagine anything will change from my stewardship. Plus I don't know if I'll ever see a knife like this one again. At this point I'm more worried that one of those fancy '70s/80s German cell handles will randomly start gassing and ruin my Union!

I'm privileged to have and use this one and it's fun to think about all the stories it must have from before my time, as well as all the cool old knives appearing in this thread.

I happened to have gunboats out today while responding to another post. Here is a picture of Ka-Bar stag gunboat along with it's cousin that I have posted previously. I believe the example with the raised letter shield is the older of the two. Opinions on age would be most welcome.

Jerry,I think the one on the right is the older.It has hammered pins,the other is spun.Just my 2 cents.

peanut740 wrote:Jerry,I think the one on the right is the older.It has hammered pins,the other is spun.Just my 2 cents.

Roger, thank you for your insight. I always learn something new from you to consider when trying to read these old knives.

Here are detailed pictures of the the marks on both knives. The secondary blade marks on both knives are identical. The main blade mark on the knife with the hammered pins says "KA-BAR" and the mark on the other knife says "Union Cut. Co. Olean, NY". The marks combined with the raised letter shield are what informed my opinion that Union Cut. Co. marked Ka-Bar was older.

However, I was conflicted. The hammered pin Ka-Bar marked knife looks older and feels older. Your logic on the hammered pins makes a lot sense to me, especially combined with in-the-hand perception.

Does seeing these marks change your opinion?

Jerry,I was following the logic of reading the knife and not what it says.I have found few absolutes when it comes to old knives.Are the dates right on the marks? Did they have an old cutler who didn`t like to spin pins? From what I`ve read and observed by 1920 most places were spinning their pins.My guess is they`re close in age.

These pictures are of an old Union Cut. Co. Harness Jack. The main blade has the North America mark with "UNION" stamped inside. It also has a nice raised letter Union shield. My understanding is that I am at least the 3rd AAPK guardian of this fine knife.

Nice pictures Jerry.

Harold

Here are a few to add to the thread.

First group:

Union stockman 3 5/8" closed, stamped all three blades. Flat sided punch.
Union arched stamp on both blades, trapper frame jack.
Union stamper both blades, toenail.

Second group:

Cherry tree chopper marked KA-BAR master and Union on hatchet.
Single blade Dog's head folding hunter with North American Union stamp.
Cherry tree chopper with Union stamps.

Jerry, Wayne. Sure is fun to look at your guys knives.

Jerry that harness jack will fit in your cigar box too.Wayne some are some dandys.The toenail and trapper frame are exceptional.

Thanks for sharing those good looking ole knives, never get tired of looking at the older knives.

These pictures show a Union Cut. Co. lever lock Doghead with arched stamp and Rogers bone handles. Thanks for looking.

That is one of the nicest looking knives I have ever seen. Beautiful knife!

stockman wrote:Slot Knife 6291 K&F Pat. Nov 5th 1907 dated on fork. Found pictures of these in Bone, Stag, and Pearl.

Harold