All About Pocket Knives

Thanks guys. I am proud of this one. And a special thanks to Charlie for the lead to this one. I am equally proud of the Empire and Remington radio knives that I have.

Can anyone place a date on this one? I am pretty sure that the double cut on the screw-driver blade was used 1930's and before. Any other way to get closer in date?

The specification for the TL-29 electricians knife changed in the 1930's from a 3 5/8" to the more common 3 3/4" length. No doubt some manufacturers continued to make the smaller version for some years after the specification change but I would think that pretty rapidly the 3 5/8" knife would have fallen out of production.

JMO

tjmurphy wrote:Bought this one off ebay this morning. Cattaraugus No. 20187 Radio/Electrician knife. Looks near mint. Guessing at 1930's or before. M.Klein and Sons, Chicago. Love the radio knives with the double cut on the screw-driver blade. This one will go well with the Remington and Empire radio knives that I have.

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..............t. j.,i really like the looks of that one!!!.............. ..................

Nice snag TJ. I got it's twin brother except I think yours is in better condition.

WOW!! That's another dandy one Rex. Yours has a little different blade etch with the inclusion of the "Made in U.S.A." third line etch. They look to be pretty equal in condition. It's interesting how these things show up. Before Charlie had posted the knife for sale, I had never seen one and now yours is the fourth one I've seen in a week. After seeing one sell on ebay yesterday, I think I might have paid too much for mine. Doesn't really matter though 'cause I wanted it. That's just how we accumulators are I guess. I guess it IS an illness

TJ, you did not pay too much for that knife!! Any time you want to double your money, let me know. My Dad was an electrician and I have three or four examples, but none like that.

Was the other Ebay knife from the same seller? Maybe somebody came across a box or partial box of them. Doesn't matter. Still more collectors than there are examples in that condition.

Ever buy a new car, then notice them all over the highway? Just works that way.

There's some dating info in that "MADE IN U.S.A." etch. I believe that was mandated in about 1922. I'd have to check Levine's for the exact year.

Does that mean your knife predates 1922 and Rex's was after?

I don't know.

I conclude those Cattaraugus 20187 Radio-Electrician knives are just about the best of that general pattern ever made.

Quality manufacturer, among the best ever. Popular pattern with lots of variations. Nicely etched on both blades. Mint condition.

What's not right about that knife?

Charlie

Hey Charlie, when I said "maybe I paid too much" was directed from other's points of view, not mine. If I want something badly enough I'll pay what I have too. I paid lots more for the Remington and Empire knives that I bought earlier. I like to say that I buy the very best that my wife can afford I'm extremely happy that I got that knife and the $50 doesn't bother me at all. I am just greatful that you brougt it to my attention and happy that the seller accepted my offer. Right now I am in the "Radio Knife Mode" and am seeking all the best examples I can find, that my wife can afford One guy on ebay had two Catts for auction, one a Radio knife (double cut screw-driver blade) and one an Electrician knife (single cut blade). I watched one of them sell that I probably should have bid on which was the single cut and the Radio Knife is still running, though it is only in fair condition, I'll let that one pass also. Anyway, don't think for one second that I'm not happy with the buy Should get it Monday and I can't wait.

I understand, TJ. I just didn't want you second guessing yourself on that knife.

Charlie

I am a happy camper The only time I've really second guessed myself, well, actually I still kick myself in the A&&, was in a guitar trade and when I traded in my Toyota Tundra P/U.

IT'S COMING!!! IT'S COMING!!! ONLY ABOUT FOUR MORE HOURS!!!

IT'S HERE!! IT'S HERE!! Very nice knife It was very much in need of a little drink of oil, so I oblidged. Great snap both ways with half-stops. 3 9/16" closed. The stamp is pretty faint, though that does not bother me. I am a happy camper and it has found a home with the Remington and Empire radio knives.

Good on you, TJ!

tjmurphy wrote:Hey Charlie, when I said "maybe I paid too much" was directed from other's points of view, not mine. If I want something badly enough I'll pay what I have too.

That is a beautiful knife and great condition example TJ! Congratulations!

Always amazes me that someone would think that $50 for a ~92 plus year old knife (if pre 22' as Charlie said) is too much especially for that fine condition. But hey, to each his own. I don't know a darn thing about anything other than CASE but I would have had no second thoughts about paying 100 bucks for that one and I am no rich kid.
I have snatched up knives on ebay (only about 10 total buys) that I just could not find elsewhere that were posted BIN/Make offer for over 6 months with no less than 40 or 50 declined offers. I just hit BIN (at a fair price in my mind/market) and it is mine and normally they will waive the shipping.
Others may think I paid too much, that is their problem, I own the knives and they do not. I now have 6 of 1000 knives of this same model made in 77' and they certainly are not making anymore. Have to grab them as they come up, just the your knife pickup.

Just my opinion but it seems most people are not satisfied if every purchase is not a smoking deal. You have to pay to get nice knives and those who don't, don't have them, in most cases.

Congrats again on a fine aquisition! Sorry to divert but just can't wrap my head around someone thinking you overpaid for that knife.

Regards, Jerry

Wow. ! ! Good job snagging it

Thanks so much to all of you who have said nice things about this knife.

As an aside, I think I need to clear one thing up. NO ONE said that I paid too much for the knife. I don't think that there is anyone on this forum who would say anything like that, even if they thought it. My statement was pure conjecture, in that I felt that someone might think that. I guess I used poor wording in my original statement. My feelings are that in this arena, of buying and selling, if the buyer is happy and the seller is happy, a good deal has been struck. I have to admit, though, Jerry, that I loves me a smokin' good deal and I've had me a few, this one included.

Again, thank you all for your kind words.

I joined just to say $50 for that knife in my opinion is a GREAT DEAL!!! I collect radio/electrician knives and I have been looking for one of those for quite some time. That thing is in better condition than any I have ever seen and I would have dropped 50 on it easily. I am just like you in that if I want something bad enough, I will pay for it. Value is up to the person buying. Great looking knife and glad that went to a collector and not a gouging dealer.

Thanks TW. It is even nicer in hand. It has a few little pepper spots on it, but that's OK Rexstubbins showed one he has that is just as nice. Since you collect radio knives, here are two others that I picked up recently:

Remington R4548 Empire