Fraternal Folding Knives

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Miller Bro's
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Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by Miller Bro's »

I have some old knives that have Fraternal and Masonic symbols on them. Some of the old ones had engraved pearl handles, and some had cheaper metal handles and finally some had just a metal badge pinned or glued on the front of a knife. Then others had an acid etched blade without any markings on the handles.

Let`s see what you have in this thread.

Here are a couple I have pictures of already, A pearl Robeson where the symbol is engraved and the second is an all metal handle Lunawerk where the symbols are pressed into the metal, this one is kind of neat ::nod::

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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by knife7knut »

Here are a few:
First is a Miller Brothers watch fob knife with a gold Massachusetts Institute of Technology emblem.The scales are unusual in that they are alternating pieces of gold and silver metal layed crossways on the scales.
Second is a Gillette cigar cutter/utility knife with the B.P.O.E. emblem embossed into the handle.Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Third is a J&C.N.Company key knife with a Masonic emblem with the letters JRO and UAM incorporated into the emblem.Anyone know what they stand for?
Fourth is another J&CN single blade with tang stamped Meriden Cutlery and embossed with the words "Massachusetts Consistory". Not sure what that means.
Last is a Rob't Klaas cel handled office knife with the I.O.O.F. logo engraved into the scale.International Order of Odd Fellows.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by Miller Bro's »

knife7knut wrote:Third is a J&C.N.Company key knife with a Masonic emblem with the letters JRO and UAM incorporated into the emblem.Anyone know what they stand for?
Jr. Order of United American Mechanics


Nice ones Ray ::tu::
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by Owd Wullie »

knife7knut wrote: Third is a J&C.N.Company key knife with a Masonic emblem with the letters JRO and UAM incorporated into the emblem.Anyone know what they stand for?
If you look a bit closer at the emblem, you will see that is has a compass and square as does the Masonic Blue Lodge emblem, but unlike the Masonic emblem the machinsts emblem does not have the letter "G" inside the square and compasses.

If I recall correctly it has an arm and hammer.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by jerryd6818 »

Miller Bro`s wrote:
knife7knut wrote:Third is a J&C.N.Company key knife with a Masonic emblem with the letters JRO and UAM incorporated into the emblem.Anyone know what they stand for?
Jr. Order of United American Mechanics


Nice ones Ray ::tu::
Interesting organization.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by knife7knut »

Thanks to all who replied and enlarged my knowledge.I forgot to add that it also says."Beneficiary Degree" around the edge of the diamond. Upon reading the history I noted that there was supposedly only one degree of ritual but there are three degrees mentioned. I guess I'll have to do more research on this organization.Here are a couple more pics of the knife.An interesting feature is the corkscrew that sits flush with the handles when closed.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by autoknife »

Here's a cool one I've had for a long time.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

I have some.

I'll let the photos do the talking, as I know nothing about any of these fraternal organizations.

Charlie Noyes
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by dcgm4 »

This knife was made for the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. The handle is sterling silver made by Battin & Co. of Newark, NJ (1896-1922). I think the No. 1 refers to the first lodge in New York City.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by jholcomb »

I've been lurking around here for a while and rarely post. My good friend Phil emailed me and said I might have something to contribute to this thread. So I thought I'd show you fellers one or two of my favorite Masonic knives...

This'un is an Omegawerks made in Solingen Germany. I think the handles are aluminum and they are full of Masonic symbols and working tools.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by jholcomb »

This next'un is stamped "The Cutino Co. Kansas City Germany." The handles are steel and have great petina.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by jholcomb »

Here are couple of lobster knives... The pearl one on the left is a really nice old New York Knife Co Hammer Brand. The celluloid one on the right is a Utica.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by jholcomb »

Right chere is an old Heinr. Boker & Co that's all stainless...
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by jholcomb »

This'un is interesting... It's a Voos USA shaped like a key... I've thought about returning it and seeing what the reward is...
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by Beechtree »

Wow these are really beautiful. I love the engraved mother of pearl, that kind of work must have been no easy task. Also, the bartender with the mail key is great K7K, I love it!
Thanks for sharing them jholcomb, the Omegaworks is a really beautiful looking knife.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by jholcomb »

This'un came from ol' Philco himself... A 1987 Case 087 from his home lodge Lancaster #104... Serial # 3 I'm told this is the only survivor of "The Great Kentucky Tidal Wave" of '89... This however is impossible to confirm... I can however confirm that it is sharp... (Any comments on my bandages can be directed to my very obstinate 3 year old)
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

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I could do this all night but I'll just leave y'all with a group picture...
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by dcgm4 »

Awesome knives, jholcomb! ::tu::
jholcomb wrote:(Any comments on my bandages can be directed to my very obstinate 3 year old)
It's amazing the things grown men will do to make a child happy. Reminds me of a rule I heard once for dealing with little kids:
"No matter how big, mean, and tough you are, when a toddler hands you a toy telephone you answer it. Always." :lol:
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Always looking for vintage knives with Virginia, Maryland, or Washington D.C. tang stamps. Any condition.
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by Miller Bro's »

jholcomb wrote:I could do this all night but I'll just leave y'all with a group picture...
Nice ones! Thanks for showing your collection ::tu::
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Re: Fraternal Folding Knives

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

Here's a nice little Robeson I picked off Ebay a few months ago.

It's a Knights Of Pythius fraternal piece.

It's in great condition.

Charlie Noyes
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