Pocket Knife Identification Assistance

[edburford]

My stepfather carried this pocket knife everyday for YEARS! When he passed away, it was left to me. It appears to say “Kinfolks” on the blade. Does anyone recognize it or know anything about it?
Thanks,
Eric Burford

[jmh58]

John

[Reverand]

Eric,
That is a beautiful example of a great brand!
I am not able to get to my books right now, but from memory Kinfolks was a quality knife manufacturer who was in some way affiliated with Case.
Others will, I hope, provide much better information.
Still, that knife is a gorgeous keepsake, and I know that it is beyond valuable to you!

[Steve Warden]

Niiiiiiiice!

Welcome aboard!!!

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK. From your pictures I can not tell what the tang stamp says but it very well could be Kinfolks. Kinfolks was formed in Little Valley, NY in 1926 by three cousins, Tint Champlin, Russ Case, and Dean Case. All were descendants of Job Case. Tint Champlin owned Cattaraugus Cutlery, Russ Case owned W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery. They needed more capacity to make primarily fixed blade knives. Their cousin Dean Case was a principal and ran the Kinfolks operation.

Kinfolks made a lot of fixed blade knives on contract for Cattaraugus, Case and many other companies as well as the Kinfolks brand. They did not make many pocket knives and of those they did make, most were the folding hunter pattern. Smaller knives like yours aren’t very common and were likely made after the Kinfolks brand was obtained by Robeson Cutlery of Perry, NY., in the Perry factory.

Here’s s a link to more about the history of Kinfolks. http://kinfolksinc.com/story/casemen.htm

Nice knife, and especially since it belonged to your stepfather.

Ken

[FRJ]

Welcome here, Eric.
Apparently you have a real keeper there.
Well cared for and kept whole by your stepfather.
It's a beautiful knife.

[edburford]

Thank you to everyone for your information! My stepfather was a great man. I will cherish this old pocket knife and look forward to passing it on to the generations after me!
E. Burford

[edburford]

Any idea on how to date it?

[Mumbleypeg]

Any idea on how to date it?

1960. Plus or minus a couple of years. The Kinfolks name was acquired by Robeson around 1958. They ceased using the name in 1965.

Ken

[edburford]

Thanks Ken

[Gunsil]

I think this knife is pre-Robeson. Kinfolks made at least 14 folding knife patterns before the Robeson acquisition. I think Dean Case has one of these.