WEST CUT Boulder Colo

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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TripleF
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WEST CUT Boulder Colo

Post by TripleF »

Kinda thinking I might have to keep this one for a while. I love the steel and feel, but what is the handles made of?
Perfect t grip.
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btrwtr
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Re: WEST CUT Boulder Colo

Post by btrwtr »

Might be bakelite but not sure.
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

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zzyzzogeton
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Re: WEST CUT Boulder Colo

Post by zzyzzogeton »

btrwtr is correct - it's a type of bakelite.

This was the a "plastic" used across many industries. The specific formulation of Western's bakelite is unknown, but it was used into WW2 - as the handle material of the Bx54 during the war. It came in black, brown swirl and an oddball green that seldom shows up.
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Re: WEST CUT Boulder Colo

Post by TripleF »

btrwtr wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 1:20 am Might be bakelite but not sure.
zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 2:18 am btrwtr is correct - it's a type of bakelite.

This was the a "plastic" used across many industries. The specific formulation of Western's bakelite is unknown, but it was used into WW2 - as the handle material of the Bx54 during the war. It came in black, brown swirl and an oddball green that seldom shows up.


Thanks fellas!! ::handshake::
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Ridgegrass
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Re: WEST CUT Boulder Colo

Post by Ridgegrass »

Scott, I have one very similar. It's Bakelite a c.1932 BX-43. (bottom) They're nice, holds a wicked edge. J.O'.
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Re: WEST CUT Boulder Colo

Post by TripleF »

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 2:49 pm Scott, I have one very similar. It's Bakelite a c.1932 BX-43. (bottom) They're nice, holds a wicked edge. J.O'.
Beauty. I sharpened mine and it is indeed wicked shop!!!LOL (poking ::poke:: at my northern friends)
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Re: WEST CUT Boulder Colo

Post by zzyzzogeton »

Ridgegrass - '

That's the pre-WW2 version of brown swirl.

The WW2 and post-WW2 brown swirl has a reddish-brown color with some swirls being a dark cream and other having a blackish tone.
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Re: WEST CUT Boulder Colo

Post by Ridgegrass »

Thanks ZZ. O'.
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