Old Keen Kutter Knives

Keen Kutter was first used as a knife brand by Simmons Hardware Company in 1870. The trademark was used on the highest quality tools and cutlery Simmons offered.
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danno50
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

Couple of nice Keen Kutters, woodwalker!
The first one is an EC Simmons, so definitely pre 1940. It could be a K02071? What is the closed length? I have attached a photo of a K02071
(3 3/8") from a 1930 catalog reprint. I would guess it was Winchester made.
The second one is a later knife, post 1940. Sellens states that the shield with Keen Kutter stamped inside was used starting in 1942.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by woodwalker »

danno50 wrote:Couple of nice Keen Kutters, woodwalker!
The first one is an EC Simmons, so definitely pre 1940. It could be a K02071? What is the closed length? I have attached a photo of a K02071
(3 3/8") from a 1930 catalog reprint. I would guess it was Winchester made.
The second one is a later knife, post 1940. Sellens states that the shield with Keen Kutter stamped inside was used starting in 1942.
Thanks for the info Dan. I will measure it when I get home. It looked Winchester to me as well. I sure appreciate the info. Away at the moment. :)
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by woodwalker »

danno50 wrote:Couple of nice Keen Kutters, woodwalker!
The first one is an EC Simmons, so definitely pre 1940. It could be a K02071? What is the closed length? I have attached a photo of a K02071
(3 3/8") from a 1930 catalog reprint. I would guess it was Winchester made.
The second one is a later knife, post 1940. Sellens states that the shield with Keen Kutter stamped inside was used starting in 1942.
Dan: This one is 3 3/8. Looks like a Winchester and it looks like your knife in the picture (K02071). I think you nailed it!! Mine has a long pull though. Does that make a difference? The one in the picture looks like a nail nick pull. Also the picture says Stag. Mine is bone. At least I see haverson canals thru a loop. I know some knife companies descriptions state Stag when in fact it's bone. Any insight? And I just want to say a big old Thank You for your time and response!! :)
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

In the Keen Kutter catalogs, stag means jigged bone. Actual stag is call genuine stag in the catalogs.
I am not sure about the long pull vs. nail nick. I would imagine that when a pattern is produced over a number of years that things like that might change from year to year?
Dan
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by woodwalker »

danno50 wrote:In the Keen Kutter catalogs, stag means jigged bone. Actual stag is call genuine stag in the catalogs.
I am not sure about the long pull vs. nail nick. I would imagine that when a pattern is produced over a number of years that things like that might change from year to year?
Thank you for your knowlege and feedback Dan! I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and all your valuable insight. It's always nice to know as much as we can about our knives and I really appreciate you! Have a good one! ::handshake::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

In a recent exchange, Charlie (Upnorth) sent me this lovely Keen Kutter pen knife as an extra. It is 2 3/4"closed, has a faint blade etch, and an etched pattern number (K02529). Sellens say this one was in the catalogs from 1905 through to 1938.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by woodwalker »

danno50 wrote:In a recent exchange, Charlie (Upnorth) sent me this lovely Keen Kutter pen knife as an extra. It is 2 3/4"closed, has a faint blade etch, and an etched pattern number (K02529). Sellens say this one was in the catalogs from 1905 through to 1938.
That is a Beauty Danno!! Great pick up!! :)
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by msteele6 »

Nice ones! ::tu::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Beautiful MOP pen Dan ::tu:: ::tu:: ...
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by FRJ »

Very nice Keen Kutter pen, Dan. ::tu::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

Thanks for the comments woodwalker, msteele6, Lee and Joe.
Dan
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by KAW »

I guess the etched number on the blade means it was a salesman's sample... very sweet Dan! ::nod:: ::tu:: 8)
Nice photos too of those MoP handles...
'til later....
Ken

10031 means.... never having a dull moment. 8)
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

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thanks for the comments, Ken. However, the etched pattern number does not indicate a salesman sample. It is just the method by which a lot of early (IMHO) Keen Kutters had the pattern number indicated.
Dan
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

This little beauty showed up in my mailbox yesterday, gifted to me by galvanic1882. A 3" tuxedo, pattern K7206. Sellens says it was in the catalogs from 1905 to 1920.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by woodwalker »

danno50 wrote:This little beauty showed up in my mailbox yesterday, gifted to me by galvanic1882. A 3" tuxedo, pattern K7206. Sellens says it was in the catalogs from 1905 to 1920.
Very nice gift Dan!! :) Your Keen Kutter collection is amazing!! And your knowledge of the brand that you share so freely is an asset to other members of AAPK. Congratts on a great knife!! ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by Duffer »

Great Walden made Tuxedo knife from a great guy to another great guy ::tu:: Dan thanks for all your wonderful insights and knowledge into the EC Simmons KK Brand!!
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by peanut740 »

Dan ::tu::
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

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Thanks for the comments woodwalker, Lloyd and Roger.
Dan
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Nice knife Dan ::tu:: ::tu:: ... and kudos to Mike for the gift to your wonderful KK collection ::tu:: ..
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

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Thanks Lee.
Dan
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by wlf »

Great additions Dan from two gentlemen who’ve helped me with gifts in my endeavors.
I buy roosters combs and farmers..........................................................jack knives [/b]

GEC SFOs and others at LICK CREEK CUTLERY- www.allaboutpocketknives.com/wlf

May the Father and Son bless
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by JohnR »

danno50 wrote:This little beauty showed up in my mailbox yesterday, gifted to me by galvanic1882. A 3" tuxedo, pattern K7206. Sellens says it was in the catalogs from 1905 to 1920.
That's a great old knife Dan, pretty nice gift from Mike.
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by danno50 »

thanks for the comments, Lyle and John.
Dan
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by jxr1197 »

I don't look for old lobsters but this one sure caught my eye. Simmons crammed a lot of character into this little guy ::tu::

K4943
K4943.jpg
1917 catalog image from COSRUS
cat.jpg
- Jason
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Re: Old Keen Kutter Knives

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

jxr1197 wrote:I don't look for old lobsters but this one sure caught my eye. Simmons crammed a lot of character into this little guy ::tu::

K4943
K4943.jpg

1917 catalog image from COSRUS
cat.jpg
Wow, that is one heck of a knife. Quite expensive for the time too.
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