Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937

[raincrowe]

I would like to feature a well-made two bladed knife..
Stamped on both blades... (ARCHED)... UTICA/ Cutlery Co./ UTICA NY.
One blade is the master; the other is a punch with a match striker included
This knife is approx. three and half inches closed and very good condition
for a 100 plus year old knife...
I would like to know what material the handles are made from whether it be bone or otherwise?
I don't want to use the hot pin trick..lol
Let me know what your thoughts and thanks for looking
Raincrowe

[New_Windsor_NY]

PLENTY of UTICA pocket knives AND information to be found here:
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... php?t=8074

[OLDE CUTLER]

That is a nice Harness Jack. Great find.

[Gtrclktr-351]

That is a pretty old knife. It is also a pretty, old knife.

[FRJ]

Let me know what your thoughts and thanks for looking
Raincrowe

I think it's beautiful!

[doglegg]

That is a nice Harness Jack. Great find.

X2

[Froe]

Good looking knife. Love the scales.
Froe

[raincrowe]

Thanks for looking
First of all I didn't know it was a Harness Jack knife.. I'd never heard that term before but I see why it would be called that...
the knife looks and feels very good in hand...
The handles are in great condition I can't figure out what material they are.... I dare say stag but why dye them black
On the other hand if they are made from a mold why haven't they shown some shrinkage over the 100 plus years
also they aren't identical in pattern
When I tap on them they sound like stag it's amazing; but I'm not using the ole heat the needle trick to check for sure
Hopefully someone will have some idea how to tell without hurting the handle
Thanks again for the good information
Raincrowe

[TCassidy]

Look at the scale with a jewelers loupe, or powerful magnify glass, bone and stag have a fine grain,

[Mumbleypeg]

Try this. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=62145

That should tell you if it is bone, or not.

Ken

[1967redrider]

It looks like it could be "Gumfuddy" to me from the pictures. Rough black, like on this WM Enders or this Case.

[raincrowe]

After seeing those two knives I do believe it could be Gumfuddy althought I've haven't heard Gumbuddy before....lol
The knife has that Rough black look but slighty different!!

[Mumbleypeg]

“Gumfuddy” is the name Case factory workers gave the synthetic material when it was introduced, at least as far back as 1930s, during times when genuine stag was not readily available. You can find Case knives stamped TESTED XX and XX having those Gumfuddy handle coverings. Case officially marketed it (and still does) as “Rough Black” (although you’ll see “Gumfuddy” in some modern day Case marketing literature).

As with many terms originated with Case and Case collectors, the name has bled over to other brands.

Ken

[raincrowe]

Thanks Ken: for the great explanation I am always happy to learn new things
I must say this Gumfuddy has held up great for this 100 plus year old knife; and a excellent substitute for original stag...
but must admit that stag or bone is more pleasing to the eye!!
Raincrowe

[OLDE CUTLER]

Thanks for looking
First of all I didn't know it was a Harness Jack knife.. I'd never heard that term before but I see why it would be called that...
the knife looks and feels very good in hand...
The handles are in great condition I can't figure out what material they are.... I dare say stag but why dye them black
On the other hand if they are made from a mold why haven't they shown some shrinkage over the 100 plus years
also they aren't identical in pattern
When I tap on them they sound like stag it's amazing; but I'm not using the ole heat the needle trick to check for sure
Hopefully someone will have some idea how to tell without hurting the handle
Thanks again for the good information
Raincrowe

Back in the horse and buggy days, teamsters would have a harness jack in their pocket with a sharp blade to trim leather straps and the awl to punch new holes in the straps for adjustments. One of my favorite patterns of pocket knife.

[edge213]

It looks like it could be "Gumfuddy" to me from the pictures. Rough black, like on this WM Enders or this Case.

I totally agree.

[raincrowe]

I can see why you like the harness jack knives; it's one pattern that grows on you so to speak..
Looking in my collection I found another one american made; I haven't had time yet to photograph and get it online
but I plan to do that soon!!
Raincrowe

[raincrowe]

I did find another harness jack knife
This knife is a three inch closed with nice bone handles...the master blade is stamped (script marking) Iroquois Utica N.Y.
This knife was made 1920-1940... this knife has been used a lot more than the other one; therefore the blade is different!!
Raincrowe