Electrician knife of the Norwegian Army

Art_Vandeley · Mar 13, 2012

Good evening good folks,

A couple of days ago I got my hands on this fine knife. It has been, and is currently in use with the Norwegian armed forces. It is supplied together as a set with BACO pliers in a leather sheath. This setup is supplied to aid with the setting up of (ancient) TP-6 field telephones. I had seen and used this knife and the pliers a lot during my time as a conscript (I was a radio man), but never thought about the knife after that. Well now I have one, and it was in poor poor condition. Well I tried my best to fix her up again, and I`m pretty happy with it. I need a better product for the wood tho. I managed to get it from no edge at all to hair popping sharp. Even the wire stripper works great now. I used a lot of oil, WD40, steel wool and sandpaper.

She may not be the prettiest gal in town, but I`ll be damned if she ain`t a great worker. I belive this one will ride very well in the back pocket. The walk and talk is still a bit gritty, but the snap is tight and loud. The pull is a 5/10.

Does anyone have any more info on this knife model? The only markings are SOLINGEN and the Whale logo.

Here, you can see a very bad picture of the knife and the pliers with the sheath.

After the spa treatment.

Not centered at all, but it doesnt affect the closing. Also the scales aren`t perfect either.She has seen better days, and many more good will follow.

-Lars

Smaug · Mar 13, 2012

Interesting knife, and a good back-story. Any idea what type of wood the scales are made from? Looks like maybe pine or spruce. I bet it feels very warm in the hand.

Here's what an American electrician's knife looks like. These are still made. When my grandpa was doing odd jobs around the house, he always had one like this in his pocket.

http://www.service.kleintools.com/T...de KNIVES-POCKET KN-2BLDSPESCR/Product/1550-2

Obsessed with Edges · Mar 13, 2012

Found this thread about a different knife, but with a logo that looks the same (whale + 'SOLINGEN'). Comments in that thread identify it as 'Whale Brand', and the maker as Richartz Bros. Might be useful to you, I hope:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/753659-I-found-my-Grandfather-s-knife!

Art_Vandeley · Mar 14, 2012

Smaug said:
Interesting knife, and a good back-story. Any idea what type of wood the scales are made from? Looks like maybe pine or spruce. I bet it feels very warm in the hand.

Here's what an American electrician's knife looks like. These are still made. When my grandpa was doing odd jobs around the house, he always had one like this in his pocket.

http://www.service.kleintools.com/T...de KNIVES-POCKET KN-2BLDSPESCR/Product/1550-2

I have no idea what kind of wood the scales are, but yes they are warm and soft to the touch, provide a good grip and make the knife very comfortable to hold. I got around to clean and oil the scales a bit more today.

Obsessed with Edges said:
Found this thread about a different knife, but with a logo that looks the same (whale + 'SOLINGEN'). Comments in that thread identify it as 'Whale Brand', and the maker as Richartz Bros. Might be useful to you, I hope:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/753659-I-found-my-Grandfather-s-knife!

Thank you. Yes it seems to be a Richartz knife. I will contact them and ask the model number and when they were made.

I have been carrying it all evening yesterday, and all day today in my back pocket. It carries very well horizontally under a bandana, but the bail makes me notice it when sitting down.

Humppa · Mar 15, 2012

@Art: Well, here´s the homepage from Richartz knives. Unfortunatelly it´s in german. But I´m sure you can find the contact dates to writem them an email http://www.richartz.com/

I like the whale-tang-stamping very much.

Kind regards
Andi

Gobbo_the_civet · Mar 15, 2012

I have a knife of comparable design. Bought it at a hardware store. As far as I know these are the most common electricians knives in Europa. German product, Otter still makes them.

Mine is without a stamp or etching, though. Here are some pictures:

spydutch · Mar 16, 2012

My Dad carried one EXACTLY like yours for years.
He used it mainly at his work (heating mechanic)
Yours is in waaay beter condition than my Dad's was

Gobbo_the_civet · Mar 16, 2012

@spydutch: I bought mine at the praxis, who have been selling them since decades. It cost me €8,60 when I bought it 2 years ago.

bradlox · Jun 12, 2012

i just picked one up here in hannover germany for 1 euro ! at a flea market very rusty but will clean up good ..still has a cutting edge ! . i restore old knives i find and like to use a lemon oil beeswax blend on the wood (light foodsafe butcher block oil ) if real bad i sand it in with a fine wet sandpaper 800 grit .
dont know if this is good advice for collectors but i like to use my knives .
ill post picks when i return from hols !

Art_Vandeley · Jun 12, 2012

Hey nice find bradlox great price too. Please post pictures once you are done.

Humppa · Jun 12, 2012

Hi Art! A great knife. You are a lucky guy - this is a Richartz Messer, Solingen. Here´s the manufacturers site http://www.richartz.com/

I have nearly the same knife - but mine is made anywhere in Pakistan, China or something like that. The backspring at mine is really weak. How´s about your backspring?

Kind regards
Andi

bemo · Jun 12, 2012

That's a cool knife. Better not mistake the wire stripper for a choil!

Gobbo_the_civet · Jun 12, 2012

bemo said:
That's a cool knife. Better not mistake the wire stripper for a choil!

It was actually almost rounded when I bought it. I have used it as a choil ever since and therefore never sharpened it!

It does make a great choil indeed and I'm used to using the main blade for wire stripping.

Art_Vandeley · Jun 12, 2012

Humppa said:
Hi Art! A great knife. You are a lucky guy - this is a Richartz Messer, Solingen. Here´s the manufacturers site http://www.richartz.com/

I have nearly the same knife - but mine is made anywhere in Pakistan, China or something like that. The backspring at mine is really weak. How´s about your backspring?

Kind regards
Andi

Mines a bear trap. A 8/10 on the pull almost a fingernail breaker. I think it has something to do with the blade being uncentered. Thanks for replying Andi.

-Lars

bradlox · Jun 12, 2012

the more i play with the more i like , will make a great work knife .
mine is a nail breaker too even after oil and lots of opening ....mine snaps shut with a powerful clap sounds like a rifle shot ! watch out fingers !
no makers mark on mine , blade centers just fine and edge is great for such a rusty one . wire stripper needs some work .

bradlox · Jul 2, 2012

just cleaned up my electrical knife , 1 euro ! what a score ! great blade steel razor sharp heres some befor and after

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Art_Vandeley · Jul 2, 2012

Hey thanks for posting those pics up. Yours looks great! Much better shape than mine is. That blade does get razor sharp doesn`t it? I`ve ben using mine quite a bit in the garden and for dirty work. Works wonderfully, altough I could do without a bail.

ConBon · Jul 2, 2012

Off topic a little, but to sharpen the wire strippers, use a dowel or round piece of wood that matches the curvature of the edge, and put PSA sandpaper on it. You can use different grits, and it doesn't cost much at all. This is how turning tools/ carving chisels are stropped.