A thistle pommel Olcut

[steve99f]

An internet correspondent contacted me to ask about his Olcut fixed blade. The two pictures he sent are attached. He wanted to know the model name or number and when it was produced. It has the bakelite handle with the thistle pommel. A good looking knife I think. Thanks in advance for any information.

[Jacknifeben]

Looks like a model 664 “EXPLORER”.

[Gunsil]

Hi Steve, the model name was "Deerslayer" and when found in mint condition that will be etched across the blade. Olcuts are only listed by model name, no model number in my old Union Cut Co price lists.


Jacknife, the 6 in 664 stands for a bone handle, and 664 is a KA-BAR designation, not an Olcut one, and also a 664 is a full tang knife with a different handle shape than this Olcut Deerslayer. I do have a similar knife marked KA-BAR with the Deerslayer etch and it's model number is 171.

[steve99f]

Looks like a model 664 “EXPLORER”.

I thought the same when I saw the picture but didn't know if this was shared between the brand names.

[steve99f]

Hi Steve, the model name was "Deerslayer" and when found in mint condition that will be etched across the blade. Olcuts are only listed by model name, no model number in my old Union Cut Co price lists.


Jacknife, the 6 in 664 stands for a bone handle, and 664 is a KA-BAR designation, not an Olcut one, and also a 664 is a full tang knife with a different handle shape than this Olcut Deerslayer. I do have a similar knife marked KA-BAR with the Deerslayer etch and it's model number is 171.

Thanks Gene for the name. I asked the owner about a blade etch, he said he couldn't see any. I like the knife with that handle. I'll let him know. Appreciate it Gene.

[steve99f]

Gene,

Just occurred to ask about the sheath. Factory? Certainly looks period.

[Jacknifeben]

And the handle is hard black BOLOMITE.

[1967redrider]

I take it this design was Sheffield inspired.

[steve99f]

jacknifeben,

Are you sure about the spelling? I googled "bolomite' and got a bunch of gibberish. Is it an early plastic?

[steve99f]

I take it this design was Sheffield inspired.

The blade looks to be a KABAR model 64 as JKB mentioned above. The thistle is a Scottish icon so could have come through Sheffield but plenty of Scots emigrated to America. Bottom line is I don't know 67RR, maybe Gene or someone else can say.

[1967redrider]

Decided to peruse BL's book, here's what he had to say. Hope you can read it, Page 320 in the 2nd Edition.

[steve99f]

Thanks for posting that 67RR, i didn't know that A & F were the originators in America. I wonder if their knives were handled in ebony as stated. Did they mark their knives as Abercrombie & Fitch? Good stuff.

[Gunsil]

Steve, sheath may be original, looks like the right style. Most Olcut sheaths are unmarked, I probably have fifty Olcuts but only two or three in Olcut marked sheaths and most are in proper sheaths even though unmarked. Regarding the Russell thistle tops, no, they were not all A&F marked, the majority are not. Russell also made a lot with other names on them such as Reed and Iver Johnson. Yes, the Russells have ebony handles as do a lot of the English made ones. Levine has his head in the nether regions as usual on fixed blades, Union made three different thistle top models with several of their brand markings into the 1930s, and the Brits made thistle tops right into WW2. The blade is not a 64 blade, it is a 71 blade on the knife shown, my KA-BAR marked one is a 171. Bolomite was a KA-BAR name for the material used in their thistle top knife handles. The KA-BAR Nor'easter is the hardest to find of the Union Cut thistle tops, it looks very similar to the Russell. Another thing, most but not all Olcuts with the same pattern as a KA-BAR will have slightly thinner blades, same goes for Keenwell although some models are the same thickness through the Union Cut brands. I have never measured my KA-BAR and Olcut Deerslayers so I can't speak about these and I am away fishing so I can't do it for a while. All the mint Olcuts of this model have been etched Deerslayer, but the KA-BAR I have is the only one I have seen with that etch.

[steve99f]

Good luck with the fishing Gene. Thanks for the above information!

[Gunsil]

Steve, this is steak on the barbie two miles down the beach from the road three nights ago. We only got two keepers and a couple of short stripers. Last night it was burgers, great way to fish!

[steve99f]

A beautiful picture Gene, envious here.

[Miller Bro's]

Nice looking knife Steve

Here is one that I have, different model, same handle material and this one has a compass set into the handle.

[steve99f]

Good Morning MB. Thanks for the kind remarks, wish it were mine.

The one I do have is a twin to yours minus the compass but does have a blade etch, "KAMPER". Apparently I don't have a picture.

[Gunsil]

Dimitri, that compass butt one is really hard to find, nice knife! Steve, all that model you have will have the KAMPER etch when new and a matching KAMPER sheath.

[Miller Bro's]

Good Morning MB. Thanks for the kind remarks, wish it were mine.

The one I do have is a twin to yours minus the compass but does have a blade etch, "KAMPER". Apparently I don't have a picture.

Thanks, would like to see that one when you get a picture

[Miller Bro's]

Dimitri, that compass butt one is really hard to find, nice knife! Steve, all that model you have will have the KAMPER etch when new and a matching KAMPER sheath.

Thank you, I didn't know it was scarce. Did this one have an etch originally on the blade?

[steve99f]

Good Morning MB. Thanks for the kind remarks, wish it were mine.

The one I do have is a twin to yours minus the compass but does have a blade etch, "KAMPER". Apparently I don't have a picture.

Thanks, would like to see that one when you get a picture

Here you go MB. Mine is marked Union Cutlery only rather than KABAR or Olcut so presumably 1923 or earlier. The sheath is not factory. Gene advises that this is a Model 172, the numeral 1 designating wood and synthetic in this case.

[Gunsil]

Dimitri, I don't know, have never seen a mint compass butt 172. I would think perhaps it did, but we know what conjecture is worth. I also have one like Steve's with the KAMPER etch and sheath marked Union Cut Co, one with the etch and sheath marked Olcut, and one marked Folsom, a NYC retailer but don't remember if the Folsom has the etch. I am away so I can't look at them. I may have a KA-BAR marked one too, I have a bunch of thistle tops.

[Jacknifeben]

Nice little 6 by 3 folder.

[steve99f]

WOW!, very nice JKB! Would love to find one of those somewhere.