All About Pocket Knives

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.

Wow TJ!
That thing is gleaming! Looks to be museum quality, what a find. Congrats, she's a beauty!

Thanks Mike

Wow, such a beauty! I envy you TJ....

Thanks Frank. I really like the electrician's knives, especially the radio knives.

Great snag TJ - nothing needed other than a good home!

That thing is really top shelf, tj. Great score.

They don't get any nicer than that! A Beauty!

Wayne

I knew you was the guy that snagged that when I read your other post about it being sold-you dawg

bestgear, FRJ, Wayne and PigSticker, thanks a lot. I was really happy to get this one. And, yes, I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Don't know if I got a good deal or not, but I wanted it. My first Cattaraugus

Nice one TJ!

That Catt is great TJ.

Man, I want one of those so bad it hurts,,,,mostly my wallett

Oh my, that is sweet. Etches are intact, just beautiful!

What a find TJ! I know you're proud of that one! I would be too.

Congratulations TJ. You deserved that one and it's going to a good home.

A knowledgible dealer could get $200.00 for that knife at The Blade Show, I betcha.



Charlie Noyes

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.

1.jpg

2.jpg

3.jpg

..............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.