Help ID'ing knife marked Union Razor Co, Tidioute

[StubbyThumbnail]

Hello all,
A friend has some questions about a 4 1/2" knife marked Union Razor co. and Tidioute. It is marked "Germany" on the rear of one blade. Any idea as to manufacturer, age, etc? Even general worth if you care to venture a guess. The Tidioute and Germany combo is throwing me as I thought Tidioute is a US brand and owned by Great Eastern Cutlery. Any insight is much appreciated.
Have a good one all,
Rick

 

[Augie]

I think that is one of the ones that Jim Parker had made in the 1980's in Germany, several different vintage American makers names were used. Pretty much just the value of them being a decent knife, no real collector value. If I'm wrong someone will correct me.

 

[afishhunter]

Pre-Great Depression, Tidioute was an independent company, like Remington, PAL, Ulster, Robeson, Queen, Russell, etc.
Tidioute was just one of many cutlery companies that went under during the "Great Depression".
(I don't know why it's called "Great" ... everyone I've spoken to who were there, and everything I've read about it ... "hell" would be a much more accurate description than "Great" ....)

As with so many other companies that have gone under, (cutlery and others) all that's left of the original Tidioute company now is the name.

I don't know anything about the Union Razor Company. The name sounds familiar, but that's about it.

Since the knife was made in Germany, the "Tidioute" may be for the city in "Upstate" New York, and the Union Razor Company was/is located there?

From the condition of the knife, I'm inclined to agree with Augie as to the estimated date of manufacture, and who was responsible.
I know Mr. Parker did get the license to use several defunct brand names from their then current owners.

So far as I know, (please keep in mind I am far from an expert concerning Parker Cutlery) all the knives produced for Mr. Parker and/or his company were of very high quality.

 

[waynorth]

Jim Parker's knives were of decent quality, thanks to the German makers, but he mostly didn't bother getting the rights to the names he used (many)!! He was a bonafide crook!!