"Go west, young man"

[arrowhd]

Never paid much attention to Western knives until recently. Seem like a solid no frills working man's knife. Can often be picked up for a reasonable price. Maybe it's time for you to head West as well?

 

[dsutton24]

https://imgur.com/qzsc9Zf

 

[afishhunter]

My only Western folding knife.
A "Demo" nife issued to me by the Army Reserves, in 1975.
They didn't want it back when I was given the unwanted by me forever medical discharge, the day after I reported foor Basic, at Ft. Jacson, SC.
View attachment 1609722
My only other Western is an L66 fixed blade, with a "D" (1980) date code, but don't have it with me, nor do I have a photo of it.

The L66 has been a favorite hunting knife of mine since the 1960's. I think I got my first one (long gone) around 1965, when I was in the BSA.
I remember my step pop had a F66 "Black Beauty". I don't know who got it when he passed ... or even if he still had it then.

 

[hornetguy]

the only Western knives I have are fixed blades, like afishhunter .... I have two smaller ones (648?)

and one bigger one.... a W46....

I have found that Western used a pretty good steel in those knives.... they take a really nice edge.

 

[arrowhd]

That's one to keep for sure afishunter.

 

[arrowhd]

Now that's a knife!! I remember my Dad had a small Western fixed blade we used to process deer. Wish I knew what happened to it.

 

[arrowhd]

I agree with you ahornetguy. Seems like pretty solid steel when I sharpened these.

 

[black mamba]

I'm a big fan of Western Cutlery. Very high quality in both their fixed and folders.

S-532 Lockback, 4.3"

542 Lockback, 5.0"

640 Hunter, 8.1"

L66 Hunter, 8.7"

46-5 Fighter, 9.1"

702 Deluxe Hunter, 9.5"

L36 Large Hunter, for Craftsman, 9.8"

 

[TheChunk91]

I happen to have a pretty decent western, although I could stand to take a better picture.

 

[dsutton24]

https://imgur.com/rO2WPOq

 

[waynorth]

Early Colorado knife!! Probably Utica-made!!