All About Pocket Knives

Guys,
I picked up a Robeson at the local show today and I am hoping it checks out. I know little about the brand and I found nothing in Goins about this particular shield.
I'll attach photos but the stamp is weak. It looks to be ROBESON (over) SHUREDGE (over) ROCHESTER. The pattern number is 62 (maybe a 3) 642. The stamp on the secondary blade is PATENT (over) APPL FOR.
The large kick on the pen blade makes me think the knife dates to some time prior to about 1930.
If any has any additional info on this knife, I would appreciate it. I would also like to have an idea as to value.

As always, any info is appreciated,
Ray

Mr. B,
It is the local monthly SAXET Gun and Knife Show at the Travis County Exposition Center.
There are 3-4 knife dealers set up. Be glad for you to venture up for a visit. Open til 5PM tomorrow.

Ray

Robeson MasterCraft pocketknives were introduced about 1929 (see card below) and then discontinued shortly after 1940.

These knives had a patented bronze bearing on the ends of the tangs where they bore on the
backspring. They were mounted in place with two or three dovetail type indentations in the
back of the tang. The bearings were sort of horse shoe shaped.

The problem with this design was the bearings had a tendency to come off, leaving the tang
short and the dovetail indentations exposed so that they caught on the edge of the backspring
resulting in multiple stops between closed and open and vice versa.

These knives' master blades were most often nicely etched within a flowing banner,
"NEV-R-BIND OILESS BEARING".

After Emerson Case took over the operations of Robeson Cutlery in 1940, and supposedly at
his direction, the bearing was moved from the back of the tang to the inside face of the
backspring and their name was changed to PERMA-LUBE.

PERMA-LUBE knives were ID'd by a bronze shield. The shield might be plain or it might be a
bronze POCKET-EZE shield. Those are very rare.

Most PERMA-LUBE knives were etched, "PERMA-LUBE OILESS BEARING".

Nice pick up Ray. I hope the blades open smoothly without multiple stops.

Charlie Noyes

Thanks for the info Charlie. I had already noticed that the blades ran like they were on ball bearings. That is great info!

Ray