Bob Cargill Cripple Creek Knives

Some Trappers and a very rare Canoe Jack. The shield on the Canoe Jack is especially rare and sought after.
Greg

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Glad you like it. Cargill had an overall theme of " Indian Lore". His first patterns were known as the 10 little Indians. When you see a reference to a Cargill Cripple Creek as LI-1 or LI-10 that
means Little Indian "One" or Little Indian "Ten" That is a pattern reference. The memos the Club Members or public in general received were known as "Smoke Signals" and they would inform
everyone of what patterns were soon to be released, how much they cost and a lot of times how many were made. They are a very valuable source of information that is becoming extinct.
Here's a few more. I really do need to get some current photos of the CC's I have and this thread just might be the catalyst needed for me to do so. Thanks Augie.
A few more.
Greg

A Sachem Grand Daddy Barlow. I believe Sachem is a reference to a tribal leader or an elder with high rank.
This Grand Daddy Barlow is the 3rd of the three Sachems.

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Cargill Bolster Lock

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A LI-1 One of Bob's most popular patterns. This pattern isn't original to Bob Cargill but is an old KABAR pattern that he liked.
The larger knife of the same pattern is known as the Buffalo Skinner.

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An early Gunstock. The first Cripple Creeks came out of Bob Cargill's shop in 1981 and gained popularity right off the bat. This was an era when Case, the original Bulldogs and Fight'n Rooster knives were in high demand as well.
Bulldog and Fight'n Rooster had the Olbertz factory of cutlers in Germany to produce their knives, Cargill had his shop.
The Gunstock is Sachem #2 of the three different Sachem patterns made.
Greg

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I've really enjoyed this thread, these Cripple Creek knives look well built and are attractive and at the same time very unique.
 
I will add to this thread, and hopefully others will to. I am currently involved in obtaining some of the Smoke Signal memos and will post them in here
as I receive them. That part is going to take a while. Information is always the key.
Greg
 
mckgreg said:
And yes, the barlows with the CC and arrow were made by Queen when Black Jack (Effingham stamp) was producing a few patterns of Cripple Creeks.
Cargill got his trademark back when Black Jack folded and continued to make more Cripple Creeks. Cargill didn't have hardly any "hands on' dealings with the CC's with the Effingham stamp
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Thanks Greg. This thread has been really helpful. I see now why the true Cargill knives are sought after. Mine in comparison is more Queen than CC if I got it right. Still quite nice however:
IMG_20180409_185246250~2-1043x1045.jpg I don't think this one was ever sharpened nor used, yet it's not the keenest knife on the table. Makes sense now. :cool:
 
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Old Fort TN is less than 20 miles from where I live and I think it’s a shame that I don’t own a single Cripple Creek knife. :( This came from a time in my life that my interest in knives had been replaced by an interest in things that go bang! :D
 
Here's another Bolster Lock. Made the year before Cripple Creek's first knives were to hit the public. To release the lock you press sideways with your thumb on the edge of the front bolster. Notice the groove marks.
That's where you push the bolster and "just the bolster" to release the lock. If you look at the photo of the other bolster lock above you will see it in it's open position.
This particular knife was called the Flintlock.
Greg

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You're right Bugdoc. The only thing that is really Cripple Creek on the Queen made knives is that they managed to spell it right when inking it on the blade. Still
nice knives tho.
Here's a Butterbean Stockman. Again, notice how the tangs are sunk so they don't stick out. Makes a good working mans knife and the shape of the frame
makes it fit easy in the pocket. The frame also allows for wider blades.
Greg

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Greg, fantastic display of Cargill's vintage knives. I especially like your Cargill Bolster Lock in a Gunstock looking pattern in post #23..

Do you still have that 5 blade Sowbelly?

Anthony
 
Good to see you Anthony. I might just have a 5 blade sowbelly. Maybe even a few more than one. How about a 3 blader.
The Northwest Logger. A hardware company in Washington commissioned Cargill to make these for them. They came in a wood
box and canvas pouch. (See "page 11" for more info)
Greg

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Ever wonder where the Buffalo Shield came from? It was picked by Cargill's daughter. It's a 3 legged buffalo. Cargill had lost a leg in
a car accident and the 3 legged buffalo along with the name Cripple Creek all seemed to make sense. The 3 legged buffalo
was also on a 5 cent piece in the late 1930's I believe. Not sure of the date on that.
Greg
 
mckgreg said:
Ever wonder where the Buffalo Shield came from? It was picked by Cargill's daughter. It's a 3 legged buffalo. Cargill had lost a leg in
a car accident and the 3 legged buffalo along with the name Cripple Creek all seemed to make sense. The 3 legged buffalo
was also on a 5 cent piece in the late 1930's I believe. Not sure of the date on that.
Greg
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Its good to see you as well. I remember that tale from way back when.. I like the Northern Logger 3 blade too.
 
A lot of folks know about the Knife World 1st and 2nd Cripple Creeks but these are a bit harder to come by. One of my favorite whittlers.
I will see if I can dig out a 5 blader soon for you Anthony. Gotta find 'em first. Once again, notice the tangs in the closed position.
Greg

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