Western jack

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.
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FRJ
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Western jack

Post by FRJ »

I don't know how to identify this knife except to call it lovely.
I put it in Western Tang Stamps started by trail.
It's 4 1/2" of honey.
Thanks for looking.
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RalphAlsip
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Re: Western jack

Post by RalphAlsip »

I would also call it lovely! The handles are gorgeous.
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Colonel26
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Re: Western jack

Post by Colonel26 »

Be still my heart! Lovely indeed.
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FRJ
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Re: Western jack

Post by FRJ »

Thanks so much, guys. I'm glad you appreciate it as much as I do.
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philco
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Re: Western jack

Post by philco »

Joe that's a great looking knife. It reminds me of the Queen City jack that Ken98k showed me when I visited him in Alaska a few days ago.
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FRJ
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Re: Western jack

Post by FRJ »

Thank you, Phil. You're so fortunate to visit other members and their knives.
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terryl308
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Re: Western jack

Post by terryl308 »

::tu:: FRJ, Western used that tang stamp from 1911-1950, according to Platts book Knife Makers who went west. It is pictured in his 1921 catalog as a "English Pattern". Nice knife ! Terry
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Re: Western jack

Post by FRJ »

Thank you, Terry. I have the book. I'll look it up.
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Re: Western jack

Post by jerryd6818 »

That is a beauty. At 4½" closed, if it had a secondary blade, I'd call it an English Jack but in the meantime how about we just call it a dandy. You are a very fortunate man to get your coon fingers on that one.
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FRJ
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Re: Western jack

Post by FRJ »

Fortunate indeed, Jerry. Thanks for your nice comments.
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Re: Western jack

Post by tongueriver »

terryl308 wrote:::tu:: FRJ, Western used that tang stamp from 1911-1950, according to Platts book Knife Makers who went west. It is pictured in his 1921 catalog as a "English Pattern". Nice knife ! Terry
He also elaborates in the book on the very early days; Western made NO knives until some months after WWI ended, but imported knives with their own stamp from several American makers in the NE United States. He said that the company changed their letterheads to the later 'Western Cutlery' from the old 'Western States' in 1942. I don't understand why the knives continued to be stamped with the earlier stamp for 8 more years, but I guess when he says 1950, that is what he means. Oh, by the way, that certainly is a nice knife! ::tu::
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FRJ
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Re: Western jack

Post by FRJ »

Thank you for that tongueriver and the compliment.

Years ago I made it a policy that I would never loan any of my books out again.
Two months ago, already, I loaned The Knife Makers Who Went West to some folks.
They're very nice people. Now I have to go ask for my book back. Life is good. :D
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Re: Western jack

Post by gino »

Great looking knife Joe! ::DROOL::
-( life is too short to carry a cheap knife )-
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Re: Western jack

Post by FRJ »

Thank you so much, Gino. ::tu::
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Re: Western jack

Post by philco »

FRJ wrote:Thank you for that tongueriver and the compliment.

Years ago I made it a policy that I would never loan any of my books out again.
Two months ago, already, I loaned The Knife Makers Who Went West to some folks.
They're very nice people. Now I have to go ask for my book back. Life is good. :D

Joe, it has been my experience that it never ends well when you loan tools or books to someone. ::dang::
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Re: Western jack

Post by FRJ »

Thanks Phil.
Unfortunately, loaning things can turn to awkward. I think this will end well.
Joe
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