Western Folding Knives

In 1911, H. N. Platts, was able to draw on his extensive friendships and family connections in the cutlery world to start Western States Cutlery and Manufacturing of Boulder Colorado. At first only a jobbing business, by 1920 construction and machinery purchases were underway to begin manufacture of knives. Through name changes--to Western States Cutlery Co. in 1953, then Western Cutlery Co. in 1956--and moves first across town and later to Longmont Colorado, the company stayed under the leadership of the Platt family until 1984. In that year, the company was sold to Coleman, becoming Coleman-Western. Eventually purchased by Camillus in 1991, Western continued until Camillus expired in 2007.
User avatar
Madmarco
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 9645
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Madmarco »

Well, I said I'd get a copy of this knife eventually, and eventually is today thanks to Matt Sanders at the "Sanders Knives" store! 1977 build as denoted by the tang stamped "A", 7 1/2" oal Western S-532 lockback with a SS drop-point blade featuring a coined n/n and "WESTERN" etch, NS bolsters and pins, thick brass liners, and brown laminated hardwood covers. Weighs about 5 oz.'s. Smooth easy opening pull and snappy closing detent. Nearly flawless fit and finish. I like this knife, thanks again Matt! 8)
WIN_20221219_13_56_06_Pro.jpg
WIN_20221219_13_55_51_Pro.jpg
8)
User avatar
Nev52
Posts: 1099
Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2017 12:37 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Nev52 »

Looks great Marco, ::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu::

Nev
User avatar
jerryd6818
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 39165
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: The middle of the top of a bastion of Liberalism.

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by jerryd6818 »

I would like to add a few to this thread.
Attachments
Winchester '87 2857 Teardrop Jack Open - Labeled.JPG
Winchester 2921 Coke Bottle - Labeled.JPG
Winchester 2935 '88 Wharncliffe Half Congress - Labeled.JPG
Winchester W15 2978 Doctor Knife '89 - Labeled.JPG
Winchester 3009 Cattle Knife - Labeled.JPG
Winchester 19021 Medium Toothpick - Labeled.JPG
Winchester 19023 Texas Toothpick - 2003 - Labeled.JPG
Winchester 29016 Peanut - Labeled.JPG
Winchester 39018 Whittler - Labeled.JPG
Winchester W 40 14072YB Mini Trapper - Labeled.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
User avatar
Madmarco
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 9645
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Madmarco »

Nev52 wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:23 pm Looks great Marco, ::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu::

Nev
Thank a bunch Nev! It was actually your posts and pictures on page 2 of this thread that helped me finally pull the trigger for mine, so, thanks for that too! 8)
8)
User avatar
Madmarco
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 9645
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Madmarco »

Nice group Jerry. I was just thinking ::hmm:: how great your 2921 Coke-Bottle would look if it only had the spear-point blade, no pen blade. ::hmm:: 8)
8)
User avatar
OLDE CUTLER
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 4287
Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:11 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Madmarco wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:46 pm Nice group Jerry. I was just thinking ::hmm:: how great your 2921 Coke-Bottle would look if it only had the spear-point blade, no pen blade. ::hmm:: 8)
But those are all Winchesters in this Western thread??????
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
User avatar
Madmarco
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 9645
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Madmarco »

My goodness, you're absolutely correct OC. That went right over my head and I probably would have never noticed had you not pointed it out. Jerry's bad! lol! 8)
8)
User avatar
steve99f
Posts: 2769
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:49 pm
Location: Eastern PA

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by steve99f »

Just added this S-531 "A" to the pile from a dealer at the Lewisburg, PA show. Looks a lot like madmarco's example of an S-532 other than the diamond shield on my example. The dealer had a few of these with the same shield. I know Western had spear point blades and clip point blades on these but what else made them different, one from another?
Attachments
DSC00580.JPG
steve99f
User avatar
Madmarco
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 9645
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Madmarco »

Yah, I know what you mean, Steve.
When I saw the number on your knife I stated wondering right away what makes yours different from mine, hence the different numbers. Other than the shield, the 2 knives appear identical to me, same drop-point blade, cover material, etc.
They sure are nice solid knives though! 8)
8)
User avatar
steve99f
Posts: 2769
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:49 pm
Location: Eastern PA

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by steve99f »

I've attached some pics of the S-531 A and a S-521 D for comparison purposes. The 531 pictured has black delrin handles, the 521 has laminated hardwood. Also attached is a 1978 catalog page from a recent ebay listing showing the S-53X series. The letters refer to a date code, A= 1977 and so on.
Attachments
1978 western cat page.jpg
S-531  ser A  top, S-521 ser D a.jpg
S-531 Ser A above S-521 ser D b.jpg
Western Folder tang stamps c.jpg
steve99f
User avatar
Madmarco
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 9645
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Madmarco »

Great chart and pictures, Steve.
Thanks!
8)
8)
User avatar
Papa Bones
Silver Tier
Silver Tier
Posts: 3994
Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:29 pm
Location: Alabama, Roll Tide Country

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Papa Bones »

I picked this one up a few months ago. Just now getting around to posting it. A Western USA 4" Stockman S-742. The guy I purchased it from had an unopened deck of Western playing cards from the Gambler Series, and threw it in with the knife. So I guess I need to work on finding the other Gambler Series knives. I have a Queen, so I guess that's a start. :lol:
Western USA S_742 4in Stkmn_a.jpg
Western USA S_742 4in Stkmn_b.jpg
Sometimes I Sit and Think ::hmm:: .... Other times I just Sit
I May Grow Older, But I refuse to Grow Up!!
I'll sharpen it for you, but I don't give out band-aids!!

Smitty
User avatar
Madmarco
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 9645
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Madmarco »

Very nice, Smitty!
8)
8)
Felanmac
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 4:14 am
Location: Idaho

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Felanmac »

Beautiful folders. These are also western cutlery
Attachments
IMG_9120.jpeg
A man without a knife is a man without a life
DanTX1953
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2022 10:13 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by DanTX1953 »

my grandfather left me his Western pocket knife when I was a young kid - it has been my favorite knife
Attachments
Z 50.jpg
User avatar
garddogg56
Bronze Tier
Bronze Tier
Posts: 9022
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:18 am
Location: Maine Aya up North

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by garddogg56 »

Thats a treasure Dan ::nod::
"On the Road Again"Willie Nelson
User avatar
FRJ
Posts: 15173
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 1:43 pm
Location: Ct.

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by FRJ »

::tu:: Nice one Dan. ::tu::
Joe
User avatar
Waukonda
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 3775
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2019 1:35 am

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Waukonda »

Western States
Attachments
20230828_113547.jpg
20230828_114101.jpg
20230828_114036.jpg
20230828_113940.jpg
20230828_113732.jpg
Ike
doglegg
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 17721
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:35 am
Location: Grand Prairie, Texas

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by doglegg »

A sweet one Ike.
User avatar
FRJ
Posts: 15173
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 1:43 pm
Location: Ct.

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by FRJ »

What a gem you have there, Ike.
Joe
User avatar
Waukonda
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 3775
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2019 1:35 am

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Waukonda »

Thank you, Floyd and Joe, I appreciate your comments. This is my first Western States, I suppose I need more! :lol:
Ike
DanTX1953
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2022 10:13 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by DanTX1953 »

thank you garddogg and FRJ
DanTX1953
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2022 10:13 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by DanTX1953 »

There are some really nice looking folding knives posted here !
DanTX1953
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2022 10:13 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by DanTX1953 »

Western 932 Ranger saw/knife - from 1982.
16" fully opened
Attachments
Z 1.jpg
Z 2.jpg
User avatar
Dan In MI
Posts: 4339
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:00 am
Location: United States

Re: Western Folding Knives

Post by Dan In MI »

Very, very cool! ::tu::
USN 2000-2006
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
Post Reply

Return to “Western Cutlery Collector's Forum”