Any info on these knives would be appreciated.

[DB58]

Hi all,

I have these two knives here that belonged to my father and I have been trying to find out more information on them since he passed a few years back. I have been trying to find out as much as I could myself because I am not much of a forum guy really and actually the first time I touched a computer was 2016, having lived much of my life in an area where they were of no use or value. I was hoping to avoid being that guy who registers just to make one post but perhaps I will remember to check in now and then; I just don't get on the computer very often.

Anyhow sorry to ramble. The knife I am most interested in is what appears to be one of his hunting knives. It says "R gatdula" on the side and that is all, no mention of metal type or where it was made. It has a turquoise colored leather sheath that fits very nice and I cannot tell if it is actually cowhide or some exotic leather. It has what I would almost say are speckles on it so it may be something a little less common than cowhide.

The handle of it is carbon fiber but is made to look like it is wood. I hope I was able to get good enough pictures to show that. The rivets are completely flush and couldn't be adjusted, at least not by myself although maybe if you know what you are doing?

I'm not sure what other information would be relevant, let me know if there is anything helpful I could add please.

The second knife/tool I am not quite as curious about is a Leatherman I found in an old worn leather sheath that buttons shut. It says it is from Western Pacific Distributers on one side and it says "Manitowoc Ice Machines" on the other side. Using that information to try and find out more about it got me no real results, oddly enough.

The reason I am less curious about that one being that is just overall less mysterious and I can guess that it must have been some job that either my father or perhaps my grandfather had... I was more or less just wanting to make sure it wasn't particularly rare before I started using it as a tool or if I might consider putting it up.

My apologies for the lengthy post as well as the terrible picture quality but the pictures are taken on a flip phone that serves as my only camera (it is not activated and I have never owned an activated cell phone haha)

Thank you for your time.

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

Hi all,

I have these two knives here that belonged to my father and I have been trying to find out more information on them since he passed a few years back. I have been trying to find out as much as I could myself because I am not much of a forum guy really and actually the first time I touched a computer was 2016, having lived much of my life in an area where they were of no use or value. I was hoping to avoid being that guy who registers just to make one post but perhaps I will remember to check in now and then; I just don't get on the computer very often.

Anyhow sorry to ramble. The knife I am most interested in is what appears to be one of his hunting knives. It says "R gatdula" on the side and that is all, no mention of metal type or where it was made. It has a turquoise colored leather sheath that fits very nice and I cannot tell if it is actually cowhide or some exotic leather. It has what I would almost say are speckles on it so it may be something a little less common than cowhide.

The handle of it is carbon fiber but is made to look like it is wood. I hope I was able to get good enough pictures to show that. The rivets are completely flush and couldn't be adjusted, at least not by myself although maybe if you know what you are doing?

I'm not sure what other information would be relevant, let me know if there is anything helpful I could add please.

The second knife/tool I am not quite as curious about is a Leatherman I found in an old worn leather sheath that buttons shut. It says it is from Western Pacific Distributers on one side and it says "Manitowoc Ice Machines" on the other side. Using that information to try and find out more about it got me no real results, oddly enough.

The reason I am less curious about that one being that is just overall less mysterious and I can guess that it must have been some job that either my father or perhaps my grandfather had... I was more or less just wanting to make sure it wasn't particularly rare before I started using it as a tool or if I might consider putting it up.

My apologies for the lengthy post as well as the terrible picture quality but the pictures are taken on a flip phone that serves as my only camera (it is not activated and I have never owned an activated cell phone haha)

Thank you for your time.

Hey, so for the first one - I'm not sure who made it but from the looks of it, it seems to be a high quality custom piece. Mirror finished blade with a signature on it are the reasons I feel this way.

As for the second, it's not an uncommon practice for companies to have their logos/information etched onto a mutli-tool/pocket knife for the sake of giving it away as little gifts. I will say that a leatherman is probably the highest end variation of this giveaway I've seen to date but regardless I think that it's likely just a company giveaway standard issue Leatherman with some after market branding.

 

[thebrain]

I agree the Leatherman is just a promotional branded standard model. The other appears to be a quality custom based on the look of the finish and materials used. It could be a well known maker or a lesser known. An example is a guy I know makes wonderful customs in his garage with pretty much whatever material you want, I would bet none of his knives have ever made it more than 100 miles.

 

[GIRLYmann]

IMO, visually, neither of these items predates the 1970's era.
If they are held in high regard now, it must be for sentimental reasons at least,
Just my 2 cents.
good luck with the search.

 

[Fixall]

Don't have much to add other than the handle looks to be micarta and that I've seen calfskin that was speckled similarly to that sheath.

Gatdula is also a Filipino name (wife is half Filipino) and the knife also looks like other traditional Filipino knives I have seen.

 

[DB58]

Right on thanks folks. I didn't reckon the Leatheman was anything special but I have made some big mistakes proceeding with things under a certain assumption when the reality was different!

As for the second one I gather that whether or not it is anything "special" is subjective at best... I suppose the thought hadn't occurred to me that there would be folks who make knives this nice without ever making much of a name for themselves in the hobby.

Anyhow I don't know a whole lot about knives but as far as the material the handle is made out of it is definitely carbon fiber, and it is woven with alternating colors to make it look like it is wood grain; I wish I could get a better picture of it.