Another Family Heirloom Needs Identifying

Ribbonz

Ribbonz

Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
81
Hey everyone. Last week I had you identify my grandfather’s colonial ambassador stockman. This week I found my other grandfather’s pocketknife which also looks like it might be a Colonial. This one is in a little worse shape, some of the handle is broken off, and the steel above the small blade’s nail nick is broken off. (Broke my nail trying to open it).

Anyway, can anyone identify this knife? It says Robeson on the base and Made In USA in another spot.

XOHuEkS.jpg


This grandfather passed away about a year ago and it would be nice to know what he was carrying. If it’s old enough he might have carried this in Korea, as he was in the US Army Infantry Division.
 
"Robeson" is the brand.
It looks like it may be post WW I to pre-WW II vintage.

You can find you can find Robeson tang charts online to help date it to a range of years.

Does it say "Pocket EZ" on the shield? If I remember right, "Pocket EZ" was only used circa 1911 to circa 1925(?)

Nice knife. :)
 
Is ShurEdge written in script lettering below ROBESON?

jP0t22W.jpg

I wish I could give credit to the source this list, but I'm afraid I don't remember. I've just been saving tang charts whenever I come across them on the interwebs. :oops:
 
r8shell said:
Is ShurEdge written in script lettering below ROBESON?

jP0t22W.jpg

I wish I could give credit to the source this list, but I'm afraid I don't remember. I've just been saving tang charts whenever I come across them on the interwebs. :oops:
Click to expand...

Yes! That’s it! Robeson, ShurEdge in Script, Rochester, NY and Made In USA on the smaller blade. So I guess 1922-1939. Coolbeans.


afishhunter said:
"Robeson" is the brand.
It looks like it may be post WW I to pre-WW II vintage.
Click to expand...

Looks like you were right.

What should I do with it? Should I bother oiling it? The small blade doesn’t open easily. I will keep it for sentimental value (unless I find out its worth a ridiculous amount) It looks really cool in person. I had no idea it was almost 100 years old.
 
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How
Ribbonz said:
Yes! That’s it! Robeson, ShurEdge in Script, Rochester, NY and Made In USA on the smaller blade. So I guess 1922-1939. Coolbeans.




Looks like you were right.

What should I do with it? Should I bother oiling it? The small blade doesn’t open easily. I will keep it for sentimental value (unless I find out its worth a ridiculous amount) It looks really cool in person. I had no idea it was almost 100 years old.
Click to expand...
How much bother is it to oil it? I would say oil it.
 
Ribbonz said:
I wasn’t sure if that would ruin the vintage vibe of it or something. I’m brand new to knife collecting and don’t really know much. I ended up spraying a little WD40 in the joints.
Click to expand...
Sorry I didn't appreciate your caution. Caution's good.
 
I think most people look at normal maintenance (oiling, etc) as "ok" on a vintage knife. I think it is when people attempt to refinish an object that it loses its value. Gently removing active rust should be ok, but sanding the blade down would be a no-no.
I found a Case peanut that belonged to my uncle... the blades are black. The pen blade was pretty stiff, so I just flushed it out a bunch with oil, and left it at that. Black blades are cool, in my opinion... they show good, honest use. I would never try to sand them back down to "shiny"....
 
Ribbonz said:
I ended up spraying a little WD40 in the joints.
Click to expand...
Any of the oils sold for fishing and hunting equipment are good for this purpose. WD-40 is for combating rust; it is not a good lubricant. Some folk use mineral oil; it is just fair but it is food safe. One product touted by knife people is "Quick Release." It may be the best of all (?) but it is expensive.
 
And Ballistol is an excellent lubricant, but it's smell is reminiscent of fishy dog vomit.

Other than that, though..... :rolleyes: :D
 
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