Valley Forge before Boker bought them?

[mickeyevans]

Not sure if this is a Boker or a really old Valley Forge
Boker moved the factory from Newark NJ to Maplewood NJ soon after purchasing the old American Cutly Co
I think they kept using the same tang stamp with Newark on it
I was born in Newark so I am trying to learn and add more of these knives, the few I have are all well made
dose this post belong here or in the Boker forum?

[tjmurphy]

Is this mark on the reverse of the main blade, VF within a circle? If yes it's after Boker purchase, if not it's before Boker purchase.

Pretty knife, by-the-way

[danno50]

Nice knife, Mickey, I like ebony handles. Goins says Boker bought Valley Forge in 1902, but, the VF in a circle stamp was not adopted until 1916. I also have a Valley Forge with the same tang stamps as yours, without the VF on the back of the tang. This would theoretically mean that our knives were both made prior to 1916, however, as many knife collector's, with vastly more knowledge than myself, have repeatedly stated: dating a knife by the tang stamps is dicey (not an exact quote).
Dan

[mickeyevans]

thanks TJ. i am looking with a 45x and can find no other marks, no VF with or without circle and no USA
the main blade is stamped on the shield side, mark side right? And the pen blade is stamped on the other side, pile side?
I have a couple more Valley forge and will compare
this knife has straight lines not curved like yours, which looks like the E Weck I just posted
I don't think there were ever more that the two tang stamps I am showing, the opposite side of the tangs look smooth and untouched
the stamp on the pen blade is two lines not 3 like yours, VALLEYFORGE is one word on mine

[mickeyevans]

Beautiful knife Dan, that wood is so pristine and smooth it looks like composite
mine is not a jack like yours, but is 3 and a half inchs
not sure if you can call anything over 3' a pen knife
but all my VF's snap like traps, even this 'pen knife', it clicks loud on all stops, even it's half stops

[tjmurphy]

Hey Mickey, the pic of the knife I posted was lifted from an Ebay auction, not my knife. The information that Danno posted is more accurate than the generlization that I posted. So, I guess you're right back where you started

[mickeyevans]

the Price/Zalesky 15th edition say's the VF in a circle started in 1916-1950
Valley Forge Cutlery Co started in 1892, Boker acquired it 1916
the curved or straight line stamp tell me nothing about age, the absent of the VF say's 1892-1916
Bruce Voyles thinks Boker was involved from the start of the company, in response to the tariffs and made it official during WW I due to anti German sentiment I suppose