Case Loomfixer

orca8589

orca8589

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Jan 27, 2007
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I bought a Case #6217 Loomfixer (two-blade Jack, basically a large Swayback handle shape) from a member here a while back; I'm trying to figure out where the name "Loomfixer" came from. Anyone know? :confused: It's a fantastic carver/whittler - great spoon carver.

The history, as I know it, is that this pattern was introduced in the 1930's or 40's, had several scale materials over the years (mine is laminated wood) and ended production sometime in the 70's. (Not sure on the end-of-production date.)

So, anyone have any idea why it's called a "Loomfixer", and not a "Large Swayback", or simply a "Large [two-blade] Jack"?

~Chris
 
I have never found the true origin of the term "loomfixer" but it was listed in a 1967 Case catalog with that as one of the nicknames for the pattern.

Other knife companies referred to similar swayback jack/sheepfoot master blade knives as the "New England Whaler" pattern.

Case began making the 6217 pattern in the 1920's era with bone handles and with slick black handles. The slick black version was discontinued in the early 1960's.

The bone version continued in production but was changed over to jigged Pakkawood in 1970...then discontinued in 1978.

The 17 pattern was the precursor to today's 117 smaller swayback jack pattern.
 
All I know is, I wish CASE would re-introduce this pattern as it has real presence to it.
 
Nevermind, I did a search and phound a photo. - Ed
 
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17a.jpg


This is a 7 dot 1973 model with jigged Pakkawood handles.
 
My Grandfather always had one of these knives! He was the
Head Fixer for a local mill, He was the head fixer for 6 local plants!
He told me that the "loomfixer" was the best knife Case made for
working on these Old mill machines! And he fixed Loomers and Dolphing
machines and all the other machines with it! He did it for 40 yrs!
He thought they came up with the name because of all the folks
who worked in mills over the years used them for the same thing!
Back then allot of people worked in mills, plants , factories? Maybe
That's were it came from?It's a good thought??
Just thought I'd throw that in!

Jason
 
bakerg2g said:
My Grandfather always had one of these knives! He was the
Head Fixer for a local mill, He was the head fixer for 6 local plants!
He told me that the "loomfixer" was the best knife Case made for
working on these Old mill machines! And he fixed Loomers and Dolphing
machines and all the other machines with it! He did it for 40 yrs!
He thought they came up with the name because of all the folks
who worked in mills over the years used them for the same thing!
Back then allot of people worked in mills, plants , factories? Maybe
That's were it came from?It's a good thought??
Just thought I'd throw that in!

Jason
Click to expand...

Thanks! I have wondered about the loom fixer name for the Case 6217 for years, as have other collectors. I was aware that textile mills had employees who were referred to as "loom fixers". Yours is the first tidbit of information that I have ever read regarding its actual use in textile mills. Though I did spend one summer in the 1970's in NC in a textile region and I saw that the 6217 and various "hawkbill" patterns were popular among mill workers.

Do you have any ideas as to exactly how the knife was used in fixing looms, and why this particular pattern was the best for loom fixing?

All I could ever think of was that the sheepfoot blade, with its straight edge and sharp corner, might be useful for cutting through a lot of yarn if a loom were to jam up. The pattern has also been sold as a sailor's jack or rope knife for similar reasons.
 
waynorth said:
Here's another picture of one, in red bone.
LoomFixer.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow - very nice. Wanna trade? ;) :p

Actually, I like mine in that ugly hard wood material. :thumbup: I've given this knife some mean, hard use, and it just looks more broken in as time goes on. This is one of those patterns that really grows on you; you don't realize just how useful it can be until you put it a myriad number of tasks. I keep the point on mine needle-sharp, and it penetrates as well as any pointed blade I have.

~Chris
 
The new England Whaler and swayback jack were around long before old Job Case got a trinkle in his eye,they are old sheffield patterns. They picked the name up from the textile industry.
 
Tony Bose said:
The new England Whaler and swayback jack were around long before old Job Case got a trinkle in his eye,they are old sheffield patterns. They picked the name up from the textile industry.
Click to expand...

Sayyyy. . . .I know some Old Dog that brings old patterns back to life!! I wonder. . . . . . . . . .:D

Actually, the textile industry was one of the first to undergo the Industrial Revolution, in England, in the late 1700s!! It makes sense that a loomfixer, by whatever name would spring from that hotbed of innovation!!
 
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I work in textiles but I've not come across a loom-fixers knife. We call loom-fixers 'Tenters' where I work.
We do have specialist knives for weaving the one below is made by Taylors Eye Witness. The hook at the front is for 'picking back' I believe. Nobody seems to use these knives today. I use a knife all the time (not the one in the picture) but everyone else uses scissors. :(
PICT0024.JPG
 
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I use quite a few different knives. I've used Trappers, Sodbusters, Opinels, SAK's, BAK's,
Hawkbills and Svord Peasants, . I make very heavy duty webbing (among other things)
the sort you see cranes lifting boats and aircraft with, and it's amazing to see how a nice sharp knife will zip through the lot with ease... usually.
It's good work for testing knives.

I can see the Loomfixer being a good knife for my kind of work.
 
My sincere condolences to Jason Baker on the death of his Grandfather. I have always liked the Blade shape, and I have thought of Jason's Grandfather as part of knife history.

"Quote Originally Posted by bakerg2g View Post
My Grandfather always had one of these knives! He was the
Head Fixer for a local mill, He was the head fixer for 6 local plants!
He told me that the "loom fixer" was the best knife Case made for
working on these Old mill machines! And he fixed Loomers and Dolphing
machines and all the other machines with it! He did it for 40 yrs!
He thought they came up with the name because of all the folks
who worked in mills over the years used them for the same thing!
Back then allot of people worked in mills, plants , factories? Maybe
That's were it came from?It's a good thought??
Just thought I'd throw that in!
Jason"

Mike H.
 
Sorry about your Grandpa, Jason - I didn't hear. Hope it wasn't too unexpected!!

I realized too late, that my Grandpa had more to tell me!!
 
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