Antique Cattaraugus Knives and Company History

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I'd like to bump this thread. I've learned a lot of knife history going through this thread. I never heard of Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. until today. I was at a trappers convention and saw a guy who had several old looking pocket knives in a display case. I immediately noticed this one because it looks so much like the beer scout knives. I looked around the rest of the booths but I couldn't stop thinking about this one. I couldn't leave without it.
Once home, I did some research and, as near as I can tell, It's a WWI Navy seaman's knife. Making it around 100 years old. It originally had a squared off rope knife blade and a file, sort of manicure secondary. Someone reshaped them into a spear and little clip blade.
Pretty cool old knife I think and I love the jigging.
Can't wait to get another Catt!
-Caleb.

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GunGraber said:
I'd like to bump this thread. I've learned a lot of knife history going through this thread. I never heard of Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. until today. I was at a trappers convention and saw a guy who had several old looking pocket knives in a display case. I immediately noticed this one because it looks so much like the beer scout knives. I looked around the rest of the booths but I couldn't stop thinking about this one. I couldn't leave without it.
Once home, I did some research and, as near as I can tell, It's a WWI Navy seaman's knife. Making it around 100 years old. It originally had a squared off rope knife blade and a file, sort of manicure secondary. Someone reshaped them into a spear and little clip blade.
Pretty cool old knife I think and I love the jigging.
Can't wait to get another Catt!
-Caleb.

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Congrats on finding a very nice Old Catt Caleb . The jigging is really nice on yours .

Harry
 
Beautiful bone on that on Caleb!

Picked up a nice large jack this week 3 3/4",with a heavy substantial feel, had to clean some rust and looks like it may have sat with the pile side exposed to light for many years as it is quite a bit lighter than the mark side. Pattern # 22359.

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Quite the contrast cover wise John, adds to it's story. Nice full blades on that one my friend, have a happy 4th
 
Thanks Paul, have a happy 4th also, looking forward to meeting you next month.
 
Went diggin for this thread to see if one of the experts here can help me with this Catt. I just received. :D I don't have my Cattaraugus book here at work and this new to me knife is drivin me crazy :confused: the tang stamp with the pattern # is different from what I've seen before and I'm trying to figure out if it is a parts knife. It sure doesn't look like it has been apart. The number stamped is B2109, instead of a 5 digit straight number like 22379.
I really like this jack, the serpentine frame is rather large at 4" closed but feels great using it.
So any help will let me sleep easier at night!:D

Please excuse the crappy phone pics! :rolleyes:

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Dave
 
knowtracks said:
Went diggin for this thread to see if one of the experts here can help me with this Catt. I just received. :D I don't have my Cattaraugus book here at work and this new to me knife is drivin me crazy :confused: the tang stamp with the pattern # is different from what I've seen before and I'm trying to figure out if it is a parts knife. It sure doesn't look like it has been apart. The number stamped is B2109, instead of a 5 digit straight number like 22379.
I really like this jack, the serpentine frame is rather large at 4" closed but feels great using it.
So any help will let me sleep easier at night!:D

Please excuse the crappy phone pics! :rolleyes:

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Dave
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Dave, There's a B2109 jack knife in Ferguson's 1930 catalog reproduction. On page 22. A search of Worthpoint for "B2109 knife" brings up 4 examples of jack knives branded Cattaraugus. Here's a link to the search results: https://www.worthpoint.com/inventory/search?query=b2109+knife

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Thank You supratentorial :thumbsup:
It would appear that none of the examples shown have the same blade configuration as the knife I have...... :confused:

Dave
 
Either Cattaraugus used up blades it already had marked, or possibly the marked blade replaced a broken one. Or, - - - - it was stamped in error - - - - - - the upside down airplane theory!!
Totally from left field!!:rolleyes:
Still a beautiful knife!!:thumbsup:
 
Thanks Harry, and yes, it's a model 32879 split back whittler.
Nice collection! I have three catt's so far and look forward to hopefully owning more.
-Caleb
 
knowtracks said:
Went diggin for this thread to see if one of the experts here can help me with this Catt. I just received. :D I don't have my Cattaraugus book here at work and this new to me knife is drivin me crazy :confused: the tang stamp with the pattern # is different from what I've seen before and I'm trying to figure out if it is a parts knife. It sure doesn't look like it has been apart. The number stamped is B2109, instead of a 5 digit straight number like 22379.
I really like this jack, the serpentine frame is rather large at 4" closed but feels great using it.
So any help will let me sleep easier at night!:D

Please excuse the crappy phone pics! :rolleyes:

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View attachment 776495

View attachment 776496

Dave
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I went through my copy of the Ritchie & Stewart Cattaraugus catalogue and did not find a knife with your blade combos Dave . The only one that I found with a Punch was a non-serpentine Cattle Knife . It also had a Spear & Spey with a Federal Shield . My catalogue does not even show the B32109 that supratentorial supratentorial shows .
Harry
 
GunGraber said:
Thanks Harry, and yes, it's a model 32879 split back whittler.
Nice collection! I have three catt's so far and look forward to hopefully owning more.
-Caleb
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I really like Split Back Whittlers . They are wonderful designs and little works of great craftsmanship . Some day I will find one like yours my friend . Good Luck on your hunt for more Catts.

Harry
 
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