Ever hear of John ok or ck from Hamden CT WWII era

[joelcramer]

I have two knifes made around the 40s made in Hamden CT by John OK or CK there is also a marking 2
N480

Any help would be good.

THANKS

 

[tater72]

Could it possibly be John Ek?

 

[namvet67]

Your knives were most definately made by the Ek Commando Knife Co. of Hamden, Ct. John Ek was a patriotic American who started making knives for servicemen in 1941 to help with the war effort. Although a number of different models were produced, all WWII vintage John Ek knives have the same basic characteristics. They were made from 1/8" tool steel bar stock and had rock maple handles secured by poured lead rivets. Each knife had a serial number that was registered to the serviceman that owned the knife. The numbers on your knife can be read as follows:

2 denotes that the knife is a model 2
N is the 14th letter of the alphabet, so your knife is of the 14,000th of the series made.
480 is the serial number, therefore, your knife is 14,480th model 2 made.

Ek made over 100,000 knives during WWII. After the Korean War, Ek moved to Miami, FL. where the Vietnam vintage Ek's were produced. In the 70's, Ek moved to Richmond, VA. and then was aquired by Blackjack Knives and were then produced in Illinos. Ek knives are no longer produced and are desireable collector items.

I hope that helps.
Richard

 

[joelcramer]

Thanks very much this is great info.

JOEL CRAMER

 

[theoldawg]

Ek knives are still being produced in Richmond by the Ek Knife Co.

Check their site: http://www.ekknifeco.com/

John

 

[A. G. Russell]

Originally posted by theoldawg
Ek knives are still being produced in Richmond by the Ek Knife Co.

Check their site: http://www.ekknifeco.com/

John

John:

I don't think so. I think that they are being made in Bark River Michigan. A. G. Russell Knives just bought 300 each of two new limited edition knives from them.

all the best,

A. G.

 

[theoldawg]

A.G. - I am sure not going to dispute you; I was baseing my info. on their web site & recent info I got from them. I made dealer inquiry to Richmond, and they advised they were not, at that time, doing any wholesaling.

There is so much controversy over who is authorized to manufacture knives under the Ek trademark; it is hard to keep up, and know who is doing what now.

Thanks for info...I will contact you by email.

John