All About Pocket Knives

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

Really good leverlock Jerry!

Jerry that Dog Head Lock knife is really nice. I like any old Dog Head.

Harold

Count me in on the lever lock. Beautiful knife!

The stamp with the outline of North America doesn't look anything like NA. I've checked a few books and realize that is what it is called. What I think it is is a stylized eagle. It has a head and a tail and two wings one on either side. If you look at Ralph Alsip's harness jack and a couple of others, it seems plain to me.

The stylized eagle as a logo would be consistent with a with a company called Union anything so soon after the Civil War.

Just pointing out what I observed while I sit here drinking a purgative in preparation for a "procedure" tomorrow. Check it out.

It may look somewhat like an eagle,but I'm pretty sure It's North America.Here's the cover of David Anthony's book on Tidioute and they're knife companies. It is a Union Razor knife box cover.They had other things with the Union inside a outline of North America also.

No argument if their boxes had that graphic on it then. Thanks Roger.

No problem.I believe we think an outline of the US and not of North America.

A Union Cutlery Co Cattleman knife in stag

Pile Driver,
Looks like you have a real winner! What is the approximate date of mfg on that one?
Treefarmer

What a good looking knife, Pile Driver.
How long is it?

Piledriver, that's a beauty!

FRJ wrote:What a good looking knife, Pile Driver.
How long is it?

Joe my bet is 3 5/8" typical Cattle pattern length.

Thanks Jerry. 3 5/8" is probably right.

Right on with the 3-5/8", thanks for the compliments I like this knife a lot

I can understand why. I think it's pretty special.

Nice knife pd.

Harold