Old Western pen knife

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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mopbucket
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Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:26 am

Old Western pen knife

Post by mopbucket »

I’ve posted this knife before in Q&A...found that it was made between ‘50 and ‘61. I wanted to share it here in its proper forum to see if anyone has more information on it. Curious that it doesn’t have a shield; many similar Western patterns have the shield.
I’m wondering if there is a way to more specifically date this knife and if there is a proper name for it?
Thanks guys!
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tongueriver
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Re: Old Western pen knife

Post by tongueriver »

This one is in the 1950 catalog. I don't know how long your knife is; this one is 3 inches.
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Colonel26
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Re: Old Western pen knife

Post by Colonel26 »

Beautiful little knife. In my limited experience collecting Western knives, you’ll beat your head against the wall trying to figure out all the little variations in model numbers of apparently the same knives.
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
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Edgewise
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Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:34 pm

Re: Old Western pen knife

Post by Edgewise »

Boy! That's one wicked clip point. Western seems to favor the clip point over the spear.
But then, I've only now begun to investigate Westerns after seeing the praise for their carbon steel on General Knife Discussion. ::tu::
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