All About Pocket Knives

Good afternoon.

I have 4 Ka-bar stag trappers, 3 of which have the dogs head on them with a stamp Ka-bar USA. The other 1 has no dogs head and the stamp is Ka-bar 1195 USA. The nail pulls are different also as seen in the pic. Can anyone tell me why? Thank you.

Made in different eras, probably under different ownership and contracted to different makers.

Here's some information I picked up somewhere along the way and squirreled it away.
"Kabar, USA was changed to in 1951

In the 70's a pattern number was added between the Kabar and the USA. (Equivalent in Case language: Case dots)"

The one with the "dog's head" shield is a Camillus made contract knife from the 1990's. The other one is a Queen made contract knife - not sure of the exact time frame, but 80's to 90's.

Thanks Steve. I see I have some bum information.

jerryd6818 wrote:Thanks Steve. I see I have some bum information.

Your info is fundamentally correct, Jerry. Just that once the modern "collector era" began, there was no more rhyme or reason to tang stamps (true of most traditional knife companies).

knifeaholic wrote: Just that once the modern "collector era" began,

About what time did the "modern collector" era begin? Thanks.

FRJ wrote:

knifeaholic wrote: Just that once the modern "collector era" began,

About what time did the "modern collector" era begin? Thanks.

Joe; I would say 1970 was the beginning, accelerating in the 80's.

Thank you, Steve.

Thanks everyone. I knew they weren't old but I kinda thought 70s. Excellent information as usual.