Western 221 survival knife

In 1911, H. N. Platts, was able to draw on his extensive friendships and family connections in the cutlery world to start Western States Cutlery and Manufacturing of Boulder Colorado. At first only a jobbing business, by 1920 construction and machinery purchases were underway to begin manufacture of knives. Through name changes--to Western States Cutlery Co. in 1953, then Western Cutlery Co. in 1956--and moves first across town and later to Longmont Colorado, the company stayed under the leadership of the Platt family until 1984. In that year, the company was sold to Coleman, becoming Coleman-Western. Eventually purchased by Camillus in 1991, Western continued until Camillus expired in 2007.
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Felanmac
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Location: Idaho

Western 221 survival knife

Post by Felanmac »

Hello. Anybody have one of these knives? I hear they were only produced in 1986 in a response to the “Rambo” craze. I just got my first one and am impressed with the fit and finish. Mine is the Camo version. I can not find much info on these other than that years catalog. Thank you all in advance!
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zzyzzogeton
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Re: Western 221 survival knife

Post by zzyzzogeton »

They only show up in the 1986 catalog, but they were made as early as 1985 - yours has an "I" date code, which is 1985. I have seen them with "I" and "J" date codes (1985 and 1986). Steel was Western's 1095CV, which was excellent.

Western and Coleman-Western did not publish catalogs every year as some cutlery companies did (Camillus was nearly annual), so fortunately we have date code letters to guide us for 1977 to 1992.
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New_Windsor_NY
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Re: Western 221 survival knife

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Felanmac wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2024 11:27 pm Hello.....
Here's another one.
viewtopic.php?p=1095303#p1095303
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Felanmac
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Re: Western 221 survival knife

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Thank you folks for the information! This forum is amazing!
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just bob
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Re: Western 221 survival knife

Post by just bob »

Just looking at this and here is the catalog with the knife in it.


http://www.collectors-of-camillus.us/We ... talogs.pdf
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