"Black Box" Winchesters

Philosophy and inflation commentary? There's a forum for that. This ain't it.
 
Can someone enlighten me on the black box to white box change for winchester knives? I've only had a couple black box, but I've been tempted to try a white box. Are the white box Camillus? Carbon/Stainless? Well Made?
Thanks for any help,
Josh
 
Josh, I think the Black Box Winchesters ended in 1992 and that seems the year the White boxes started. The White Box Winchesters came in several series: Cartridge series (with primer cap shield), Cartridge series (with full cartridge shield), Rifle series (with Rifle shield), and the Buffalo Head series (with Buffalo Head shield).

I believe they were made by Queen with the exception of the Black Box "Bronze metal-handled" knives which were supposedly made by Utica and possibly Camillus... I don't think anyone but Bluegrass Cutlery knows for sure, re: the Bronze-handled ones.

The Black Box series are carbon steel. I'm not sure about all of the White Box series... the ones i own/have owned are carbon steel.

My experience has been that they are very well made. Some of the best knives from Queen, IMHO. As has been previously noted, Bill Howard had a hand in the Winchester production at Queen.

I'm not an expert on the Bluegrass Cutlery Winchesters, so I stand to be corrected :)
 
I read through the thread, also the link to an article on the Rogers bone used on these knives. It said they stopped production in 1962.
So, I guess the scales were stored somewhere for quite while. Does anyone know how Winchester (or Queen) got a hold of them?
 
filedog, according to an email exchange I had with James Parker, Jr. a couple of years ago, Charlie Dorton and George Smith (two of the original partners in Blue Grass Cutlery) bought the Rogers bone from Utica Cutlery. That jibes with what I've read elsewhere... i.e. that it came from Utica.
 
MerryMadMonk said:
filedog, according to an email exchange I had with James Parker, Jr. a couple of years ago, Charlie Dorton and George Smith (two of the original partners in Blue Grass Cutlery) bought the Rogers bone from Utica Cutlery. That jibes with what I've read elsewhere... i.e. that it came from Utica.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. So, these are 30 year old knives with 50 year old bone?! From re-reading the thread, it looks like there were several styles of jigging in the bone they acquired. I've got a 3964 on the way, can't wait to see what I will get!
 
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MerryMadMonk said:
Josh, I think the Black Box Winchesters ended in 1992 and that seems the year the White boxes started. The White Box Winchesters came in several series: Cartridge series (with primer cap shield), Cartridge series (with full cartridge shield), Rifle series (with Rifle shield), and the Buffalo Head series (with Buffalo Head shield).

I believe they were made by Queen with the exception of the Black Box "Bronze metal-handled" knives which were supposedly made by Utica and possibly Camillus... I don't think anyone but Bluegrass Cutlery knows for sure, re: the Bronze-handled ones.

The Black Box series are carbon steel. I'm not sure about all of the White Box series... the ones i own/have owned are carbon steel.

My experience has been that they are very well made. Some of the best knives from Queen, IMHO. As has been previously noted, Bill Howard had a hand in the Winchester production at Queen.

I'm not an expert on the Bluegrass Cutlery Winchesters, so I stand to be corrected :)
Click to expand...

Thank you very much-sorry for the delayed reply.
 
Winchester #1920 Folding Hunter, c.1990
3tZgOCF.jpg
 
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MerryMadMonk said:
Winchester #1920 Folding Hunter, c.1990
3tZgOCF.jpg
Click to expand...
Oh man... That is a Very nice looking clip point! I am very much digging the shape of that!

Might we get a different angle to admire the swedge from?
 
Friends,
Because of this thread I now find myself a new owner of a NOS c. 1987 #3964 Stockman which should be in my hands by Friday. I plan to make it a 'user' in my rotation....I fear it is just the beginning!
1488251127_51_644_1.jpg
Thank you for all of the great information!

Take Care,
Mike
 
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Grand knives all.I'm hoping to find another Swell Centre Whittler as a user, I like the pattern a lot, compact size and useful blades but I must get a backup you know:cool::D
 
I just picked up a 1920 and like it so much I am after another for a user. Not just a big knife but a HUGE knife. Don't really have a use for it but will find one. Impressive knife and the bone seems much more brown than my other Black Boxes which are very, very dark?
 
Yea, I just noticed the size of this... That puts that knife in a novelty class for my uses. It would be nice to own, but I would have to find it for a song to jump on it.

Thanks for the pics, the size of those don't bother me!
:D
 
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