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Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 5:11 pm
by raincrowe
I would like to feature a well-made two bladed knife..
Stamped on both blades... (ARCHED)... UTICA/ Cutlery Co./ UTICA NY.
One blade is the master; the other is a punch with a match striker included
This knife is approx. three and half inches closed and very good condition
for a 100 plus year old knife...
I would like to know what material the handles are made from whether it be bone or otherwise?
I don't want to use the hot pin trick..lol
Let me know what your thoughts and thanks for looking
Raincrowe
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 5:32 pm
by New_Windsor_NY
PLENTY of UTICA pocket knives AND information to be found here:
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... php?t=8074
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 6:56 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
That is a nice Harness Jack. Great find.
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 7:21 pm
by Gtrclktr-351
That is a pretty old knife. It is also a pretty, old knife.
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 8:09 pm
by FRJ
raincrowe wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2026 5:11 pm
Let me know what your thoughts and thanks for looking
Raincrowe
I think it's beautiful!
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 10:19 pm
by doglegg
OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2026 6:56 pm
That is a nice Harness Jack. Great find.
X2
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 10:21 pm
by Froe
Good looking knife. Love the scales.
Froe
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 10:55 pm
by raincrowe
Thanks for looking
First of all I didn't know it was a Harness Jack knife.. I'd never heard that term before but I see why it would be called that...
the knife looks and feels very good in hand...
The handles are in great condition I can't figure out what material they are.... I dare say stag but why dye them black
On the other hand if they are made from a mold why haven't they shown some shrinkage over the 100 plus years
also they aren't identical in pattern
When I tap on them they sound like stag it's amazing; but I'm not using the ole heat the needle trick to check for sure
Hopefully someone will have some idea how to tell without hurting the handle
Thanks again for the good information
Raincrowe
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 11:42 pm
by TCassidy
Look at the scale with a jewelers loupe, or powerful magnify glass, bone and stag have a fine grain,
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2026 12:14 am
by Mumbleypeg
Try this.
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=62145
That should tell you if it is bone, or not.
Ken
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2026 2:21 am
by 1967redrider
It looks like it could be "Gumfuddy" to me from the pictures. Rough black, like on this WM Enders or this Case.
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2026 3:14 am
by raincrowe
After seeing those two knives I do believe it could be Gumfuddy althought I've haven't heard Gumbuddy before....lol
The knife has that Rough black look but slighty different!!
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2026 3:54 am
by Mumbleypeg
“Gumfuddy” is the name Case factory workers gave the synthetic material when it was introduced, at least as far back as 1930s, during times when genuine stag was not readily available. You can find Case knives stamped TESTED XX and XX having those Gumfuddy handle coverings. Case officially marketed it (and still does) as “Rough Black” (although you’ll see “Gumfuddy” in some modern day Case marketing literature).
As with many terms originated with Case and Case collectors, the name has bled over to other brands.
Ken
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2026 10:19 am
by raincrowe
Thanks Ken: for the great explanation I am always happy to learn new things
I must say this Gumfuddy has held up great for this 100 plus year old knife; and a excellent substitute for original stag...
but must admit that stag or bone is more pleasing to the eye!!
Raincrowe
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2026 12:42 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
raincrowe wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2026 10:55 pm
Thanks for looking
First of all I didn't know it was a Harness Jack knife.. I'd never heard that term before but I see why it would be called that...
the knife looks and feels very good in hand...
The handles are in great condition I can't figure out what material they are.... I dare say stag but why dye them black
On the other hand if they are made from a mold why haven't they shown some shrinkage over the 100 plus years
also they aren't identical in pattern
When I tap on them they sound like stag it's amazing; but I'm not using the ole heat the needle trick to check for sure
Hopefully someone will have some idea how to tell without hurting the handle
Thanks again for the good information
Raincrowe
Back in the horse and buggy days, teamsters would have a harness jack in their pocket with a sharp blade to trim leather straps and the awl to punch new holes in the straps for adjustments. One of my favorite patterns of pocket knife.
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2026 2:58 pm
by edge213
1967redrider wrote: ↑Sun Jun 07, 2026 2:21 am
It looks like it could be "Gumfuddy" to me from the pictures. Rough black, like on this WM Enders or this Case.
I totally agree.
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2026 6:12 pm
by raincrowe
I can see why you like the harness jack knives; it's one pattern that grows on you so to speak..
Looking in my collection I found another one american made; I haven't had time yet to photograph and get it online
but I plan to do that soon!!
Raincrowe
Re: Utica Cutlery Co. knife 1910-1937
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2026 3:55 am
by raincrowe
I did find another harness jack knife
This knife is a three inch closed with nice bone handles...the master blade is stamped (script marking) Iroquois Utica N.Y.
This knife was made 1920-1940... this knife has been used a lot more than the other one; therefore the blade is different!!
Raincrowe