S&W Toe

[Luckypaul777]

Anyone know if Queen made these knives? Thanks.


Paul

[deanmm56]

Sure is a nice looking knife but I tried a Google search and came up with nada on the "real " maker of the knife.

Maybe if you contacted NKCA directly ? They may or may not have the information ... worth an email I guess.

Dean

[cusprider]

My opinion These were made in China or Tiawan. S&W is a Taylor owed trademark, USA is part of the Trademark and not the the country of origin or manufacture. Perhaps since this was a private run of knives, the Made in was not required as is for public sale. The two I have, don't seem to have the Fit and Finish that the Case Toe (only thing I can compare it to.), but it has the F&F of some older Rough Rider or newer Schrades. I would love to know the truth of the matter. I have emailed NKCA but was told they didn't know where the knife was manuf'd.

[Luckypaul777]

Hope this is not the case; that would be very disappointing.


Paul

[deanmm56]

Paul,

I found this website and emailed the contact person concerning the maker and origin of the S&W toenail.

I'm enclosing the web page in case you would like to contact him as well.

http://www.northwestknifecompany.com/pr ... 701/?page1

Paul,
Just received this reply :

"Hello Dean,
Yes, it was made in the USA by Taylor Cutlery. Front Tang on large & small spear blade reads "Smith & Wesson USA". Back tang, large blade, reads "Designed By Stewart A. Taylor"
I should have had that info in the description.
It is a very nice knife.
I appreciate the email,
Gary Norton"

[Luckypaul777]

Thanks Dean, guess I'll keep it after all.


Paul

[trail]

That's good information but it still leaves a big question hanging in the air - who made the knife? "Made by Taylor Cutlery" doesn't really tell us much - if there is a manufacturer called Taylor Cutlery ,where is their plant? We know Bear has a plant in Jacksonville AL and Case has a plant in Bradford PA but where is the Taylor Cutlery plant? The website for Taylor Brands LLC which seems to be the corporation that owns the Taylor Cutlery brand states "Our new 163,000 square foot Distribution Center is located directly off Interstate 26 in Kingsport, TN", but a distribution center is not the same thing as a manufacturing facility in my book. To me, making a knife involves grinding or forging blades, machining frames, hafting handles and so on, is all that going on in Kingsport? My guess is that some contract manufacturer like Queen or an offshore plant made the knives. I really think when Taylor Cutlery speaks of "manufacturing" knives they really mean "contracting for the manufacture of" knives. I may be totally off base, who knows?

[Ramrod]

It seems like most things involving Taylor are slippery slopes at best. Im suspicious of there wording of some things too. Mark
ps I think cusprider is right about USA being part of the trademark.
luckypaul, Do you have the box?

[cusprider]

Let me state that this is only my opinion. I would love to know for certain that these were made here by American craftsmen. But my experience with some overseas manufacturers has given given me an idea about the look and feel of these newer knives and some of the tactics used to induce me to buy their products.
As I grow in this hobby, not occupation, I come to appreciate the wisdom that the older collectors have imparted. I would guess that during the era of large hardware dealers that finding out who made what,where and by whom was just as difficult as it is today. As new collectors it is for us to untangle the sale pitches, the unwillingness of wholesellers to devulge origins, and the internet auction counterfits. Thank the Lord that AAPK,NKCA and other forums like this, provide a way to do it. I'm proud to be part of this community. I learn alot and hope to contribute as a member.
(Man, I've got to learn how to post pictures!?).

[Luckypaul777]

It seems like most things involving Taylor are slippery slopes at best. Im suspicious of there wording of some things too. Mark
ps I think cusprider is right about USA being part of the trademark.
luckypaul, Do you have the box?

I received the NKCA S&W toe today; not a Queen made knife for sure but appears to be of decent quality. I bought a; Rough Rider and Marbles toe awhile back just to see for myself; didn't keep them very long though; sorry but junk in MHO. I have no idea who may have made these; but I can't see the NKCA getting an imported club knife. They sure wouldn't want to put one in their museum; with the history of knives that's in that place. Maybe Knifekid (Perry) can shed some light on these?

Paul