Keen Kutter Washington Jack

Schrade Cutlery Company was founded in 1904 by George Schrade, and his brothers Jacob and William Schrade. In 1946 Imperial Knife Associated Companies, (IKAC; an association of Ulster Knife Co and Imperial Knife Co) purchased controlling interest in Schrade Cut Co and changed the name to Schrade Walden Cutlery. In 1973 the name was changed to Schrade Cutlery. In 2004 Schrade closed due to bankruptcy.

This forum is dedicated to the knives that are the legacy of this company. This forum is not the place to discuss the replica knives currently being imported using the Schrade name.
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jxr1197
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Keen Kutter Washington Jack

Post by jxr1197 »

This other thread here about the Shapleigh B376 (Schrade 2203) reminded me of a knife question I haven't figured out and I'm wondering if anyone here has the answer. From 1921 thru 1939 Simmons was selling a 3-1/2" washington jack. It had a spear blade, pen secondary, stag handle and a federal shield. They didn't even stray too far when naming it - they just added a 'K' in front of the 2203 as seen in the catalog image here:
2203C.jpg
It walks like a duck and quacks like a duck - but I don't think it's a duck. The cap is smaller, the shield is much bigger and it's only got 3 pins. Then from 1940-1942 it grew to 3-7/8". I've only seen pictures of one of these knives from an old auction:
K1.jpg
K1.jpg (19.1 KiB) Viewed 2065 times
K2.jpg
K2.jpg (24.77 KiB) Viewed 2065 times
K3.jpg
K3.jpg (19.06 KiB) Viewed 2065 times
I'm fairly confident this isn't a Schrade which brings up two questions. Who made it? And why would Simmons, who had a significant relationship with Schrade, order a knock off from a competitor and give it a Schade-ish name?
- Jason
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LRV
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Re: Keen Kutter Washington Jack

Post by LRV »

A little KeenKutter History and some older catalogs.

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/ ... Kutter.htm
“A knife in a man’s hand is as precious as a diamond necklace on a woman’s neck” - Michael Mirando I.S.C.
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jxr1197
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Re: Keen Kutter Washington Jack

Post by jxr1197 »

LRV wrote:A little KeenKutter History and some older catalogs.
So it's a Winchester. That was quick - thanks!
- Jason
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LRV
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Re: Keen Kutter Washington Jack

Post by LRV »

I'd wait for some of the Walden Winchester folks to chime in but the time frame you mentioned puts it in the Winchester ballpark.
I would not be surprised if Walden made it and Winchester continued it.

As with any Schrade you can rarely be certain anything with what/whom and when :lol:
Should be an interesting search.

Larry
“A knife in a man’s hand is as precious as a diamond necklace on a woman’s neck” - Michael Mirando I.S.C.
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jxr1197
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Re: Keen Kutter Washington Jack

Post by jxr1197 »

I learned a little more about the Keen Kutter 2203 but I still don't understand why/how it came to be that they (Simmons) gave it the same pattern name as the knife it seems to be designed after. Anyway, I was able to find an example (actually found two) and if anyone down the road chases this mystery at least they'll find some pics here to see what it looks like. For posterity, the Keen Kutter K2203:
2203f.JPG
2203p.JPG
2203o.JPG
2203b.JPG
2203c.JPG
Side by side for size comparison:
2203s.jpg
- Jason
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