Griffon XX Dog Head

The KA-BAR brand originated as a trademark of the Tidioute Cutlery Company. Tidioute was later taken over & renamed the Union Cutlery Company which continued making the brand until Union eventually adopted it as the company name in 1952. Cutco Corporation later acquired the company in 1996.
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chorizotaco
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Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by chorizotaco »

Good morning. I know that Western had some dog head knives but has anyone ever seen Griffon XX before? I’m looking at buying this but can’t find any info or price.
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ScoutKnives
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by ScoutKnives »

Beautiful knife , looks like early Union cutlery company bone to me . Cant help on the price to much but I would think something north of 200 +
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kootenay joe
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by kootenay joe »

Is this a Griffon XX Germany or USA ?
I have collected a few Griffon XX knives but have never seen one anything like this knife.
On close examination does this blade look to be original to this handle ?
kj
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by stockman »

Nice knife Harold
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chorizotaco
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by chorizotaco »

kootenay joe wrote: Wed May 12, 2021 9:34 pm Is this a Griffon XX Germany or USA ?
I have collected a few Griffon XX knives but have never seen one anything like this knife.
On close examination does this blade look to be original to this handle ?
kj
I haven’t held it just looked from pictures. Would it say under the Griffon XX? I had another comment that the blade looked a little short. Thanks.
knfpkr15
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by knfpkr15 »

My guess is KA-BAR was short of blades for this pattern and procured some from Griffin.
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by Gunsil »

knfpkr15 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 2:16 pm My guess is KA-BAR was short of blades for this pattern and procured some from Griffin.
Never gonna happen, Union Cut was a huge manufacturer, Griffon not so much. Union Cut also used that blade in a few different models. Union did make dogs head knives for Western, and I have seen one marked Napanoch, possible that they made some on contract for Griffon too. Dan, the blade does look like it has been tipped up a bit.
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by knfpkr15 »

I like your theory better than my guess.
kootenay joe
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by kootenay joe »

chorizotaco wrote: Wed May 12, 2021 11:45 pm
kootenay joe wrote: Wed May 12, 2021 9:34 pm Is this a Griffon XX Germany or USA ?
I have collected a few Griffon XX knives but have never seen one anything like this knife.
On close examination does this blade look to be original to this handle ?
kj
I haven’t held it just looked from pictures. Would it say under the Griffon XX? I had another comment that the blade looked a little short. Thanks.
If the blade is from Germany it will have "Germany" marked on the back side of tang.
The USA made ones are usually marked "Griffon XX/ B'port" on the front tang.
kj
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btrwtr
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by btrwtr »

Could be an older more desirable Griffin Wochester stamp as well.
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kootenay joe
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by kootenay joe »

btrwtr wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 1:14 am Could be an older more desirable Griffin Wochester stamp as well.
Goins says the Griffon XX Worcester Mass. stamping was used 1919-1921. Did Union use the Dog Head shield at that time ?
kj
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by btrwtr »

kootenay joe wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 1:36 am
btrwtr wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 1:14 am Could be an older more desirable Griffin Wochester stamp as well.
Goins says the Griffon XX Worcester Mass. stamping was used 1919-1921. Did Union use the Dog Head shield at that time ?
kj
Not positive but would guess that they did. Gene would likely know.
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

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knifeaholic
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by knifeaholic »

Griffon was a company that is hard to pin down. Some of their knives were marked Bridgeport CT, many were marked Germany, a few were marked Worcester, MA. The few Worcester examples that I have owned were inexpensively made with jigged black composition handles.

My guess on the posted knife would be either a Union/Kabar made contract knife or an overstamp on a Union/Kabar factory second.

The posted knife certainly looks like an original Union/Kabar made knife.
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chorizotaco
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by chorizotaco »

Thanks everyone. Great discussion.
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Re: Griffon XX Dog Head

Post by Gunsil »

kootenay joe wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 1:36 am
btrwtr wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 1:14 am Could be an older more desirable Griffin Wochester stamp as well.
Goins says the Griffon XX Worcester Mass. stamping was used 1919-1921. Did Union use the Dog Head shield at that time ?
kj
Yes Roland, Union Cut did make dogs head shield knives before they adopted the KA-BAR brand name 1923.
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