Boy's Knives

Boy you have a bunch of them, Michael! Were these mainly 1970s issue? Nice Glenn, what's the stamping on that ebony Jack?
 
Nice Glenn, what's the stamping on that ebony Jack?

Actually, the pic is a bit dark, I think it is CocoBolo. The stamp is Schrade Cut Co Walden, NY
 
Boy you have a bunch of them, Michael! Were these mainly 1970s issue?...

No, early fifties I think. Before the staghead Kingstons, Ulsters and Imperials came out. The material used, according to Baer, was polystyrene. And only the top two knives of the Mexican Imperials are mine. All of the rest live in Australia now. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
 
cool cocobolo handle, I woulda guessed ebony and thought I was right but that rarely happens these days.:D
 
Its funny, the concept of a "Boys Knife" today would have most parents wringing their hands in horror! How far we have fallen...
 
It hasn't been that many years ago that most cutleries produced a special "My first knife" package for young boys.

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Hey Michael, just found 2 metal handle, older boy's knives. Sheffield I-XL and a United BOYS FAVORITE. Coming soon!
 
Here's my 2 newest acquisitions. United Cutlery Works BOYS FAVORITE, Germany. Half stops and someone ground the main badly, but it exists.
George Wostonholm I-XL Sheffield, England also has a pretty serious stamp or etch on the blade and half stop.
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Match. United Cutlery Co. Germany is/was a Kastor branding c. 1902-1915, 1919-1922. Nice pair of knives! Wish the IXL were mine! Well, both actually!

Norvell Shapleigh catalog 1911 - Black Jappaned Iron Handle, Length 3 3/8" unlined, spear or clip blade, Polished bolsters, $6.50 per dozen (wholesale U.S.)
 
Yep, I personally feel that the I-XL is a little better made than the United Cutlery. When you read the I-XL, you get a sense that it has better fit and finish, almost seamless by comparison. Glad you like them Michael.
 
Great to see these :thumbup: Where do you guys find this stuff?! :D
 
I got lucky a couple of times on the auctions. Here's another that came in today. IK CO with green painted handles, missing bail but still has very good snap and barely used blades.
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It hasn't been that many years ago that most cutleries produced a special "My first knife" package for young boys.

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I purchased one of those for a grandson. His Mom said "NO". Still have it. No more attempts to knife up the kid. He will have to find his own way like I did.

Added: I understand a little better now why all the older guys would be rifling through a big pile of old knives at the gun and knife shows. This thread is just about making me think about doing it.
 
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I like the old boys' knives, as you can no doubt tell. And for the most part, they are ignored today. Most, however, are quite functional, made with the same skeletons as higher pricepoint knives. I don't know that they will ever be worth much, but I don't collect knives as an investment. Nobody but a knife seller would tell you that knives are a good investment.
 
I agree Michael, I collect knives for the historical factor mainly. Also as with these boys knives, it causes me to do research and that is the most fun for me.
 
Here's my latest find, another United Cutlery Works, Germany. BOY'S EASY OPENER with bail still attached. Guess I can't expect it to have the chain since these were played with pretty hard. Some of the brownish paint lingers. There was quite a bit of rust inside the joints but was able to remove most of it.
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Watch for one as well with shell stamping text "SCHOOL KNIFE". It is branded Enterprise Cutlery Co. Germany in my 1911 Norvell Shapliegh catalog. And described as a "Boy's Jack Pattern, 2 bl., Sheepfoot pocket blade and small pen blade. I'll look thru other catalogs for the text on the knife above.
 
Yep, I have to be careful not to go too far on price with these. I only payed around 10 bucks for this last one which I felt was a good deal.
 
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