Coleman Knives

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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jerryd6818
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Coleman Knives

Post by jerryd6818 »

Since Western was owned by Coleman from 1984 - 1991, I'm guessing the pocket knives made during that period under the 'Coleman' shield belong here.

I've picked up a handful of the Coleman stamped knives and I like them quite a bit. There's very little variation in handle materials and not a bunch of patterns but what there are seem to me to be pretty decent. I've seen the USA, Japan and China stamps on them. The USA is the most scarce.

If you have a Coleman, please feel free to post it here.

This is a Stockman with the back of the main blade tang ground down. I'm going to assume it was to eradicate the China stamp. The handles are laminate and they stuck a couple of layers of copper in there. I think it's really neat and it's what caused me to buy the knife (plus a few more).
They called it a Cherokee Stockman, I would have called it a Sowbelly Stockman. ::shrug::
Coleman Cherokee Stockman - Mark Open.jpg
DSC08121.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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jerryd6818
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Re: Coleman Knives

Post by jerryd6818 »

This one is a made in China Mini-Trapper with the same copper layered laminate handles. It's made in China. Very well built.
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Coleman Mini-Trapper - Labeled.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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jerryd6818
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Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
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Re: Coleman Knives

Post by jerryd6818 »

This is a very nice looking Coleman (my opinion). Well made in Japan as I would expect from the Japanese cutlers. Good fit & finish and the snap is very satisfying.
Attachments
Coleman Mini-Trapper - Japan.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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