Hobo knives.......

338375

338375

Joined
Nov 4, 2006
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This is a pattern that doesn't seem to be brought up very often.
I have never actually seen one in person, but looking at the pictures I ask myself, how many people actually own one ? Or even better, how many actually use it ?

If my info is correct, Case originally started producing the Hobo in the early 1900's and continued until around 1940..
Then in 1983, they brought the pattern back again. The longevity of the pattern tells me that they have sold a substantial amount of them.
So why do I not hear much about them ? Anyone here collect the Hobo style knives, even those not made by Case?
 
I hear that Weidmannsheil make a carbon Hobo.
This is one knife/tool pattern that must be superior in stainless though,rust and food don't appeal!
 
I have 2 of them and fix'n to get a third. The plan was no matter what happens, the wife and I would have matching silverware, but now the granddaughter wants one. She is six and loves to look at knives with me. Both of the knives are Case brand and have bone stag handles with a spoon. The third one will be the same. Will I get any more? Maybe. Later, Bob
 
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Well they better post up a picture if they have one. Hobo knives by Case? I have to see that. I can just imagine Woody Guthrie carrying around with him while traveling the country by Rail.:)
 
In the 70s I remember a couple of the Scouts in my troop had them. Most Scouts had the knife/fork/spoon kits that nested in one another and locked together. But a couple had the Hobo knife. In my son's current troop which I help lead, I've seen one or two Scouts with them.

I've seen 60 Minutes type newsshows featuring hobos that still hitch rides on the RR. For some it's a lifestyle, others drop out of their regular lives and ride the rails for the summer and then return to whatever they were doing when fall arrives. I wonder if these folks use a Hobo?
 
I have 3. I purchased them quite a few Christmas's ago for gifts for the wife and kids to encourage them to go camping with me. It worked.. :D We aways manage to through them in the packs but my son is the one who has used his the most. A might to large for a comfortable pocket carry, but sheathed on the belt you can hardly feel it.

Here is one for the photo requested..

000_2077.jpg


000_2078.jpg
 
I did some research last year on them, they were around a while before Case ever made one IIRC, usually just a blade and fork, the case ones with spoons are generally hated by most hobo collectors/users I have talked to. I think the spoon makes it ugly on that side since it sticks outside the frame, and makes the knife rather thick for pocket carry... (IMHO only of course)

I've seen a couple customs, one in black pearl and damascus that was stunning...wish I could find a pic of it to post...

I've wanted one for a while but finding one of the Pre spoon(pre 1999 IIRC) ones by case for less than an arm and a leg, can be hard.

as for rust and food, once a carbon one formed a nice patina, it wouldn't be like any other carbon knife/fork/ utensil used in the last several hundred years. ;)

Lately I've thought of cutting one down to just a fork, since I keep a blade on my EDC dedicated to food, I have no need for another blade, but having a fork would be verry welcome at impromptu lunches where those plastic things tend to crop up(and break mid meal)...

G.
 
they are a neat pattern...but not something that i find all that useful. i think its easier to just carry a diner type fork and spoon when i'm camping or otherwise might end up eating. my friend always keeps a spoon in his pocket and uses that over other utensils 99% of the time.

http://agrussell.com/a-g-russell-american-hobo-oiled-rams-horn/p/RUS-UX3ORH/

i have the three handled version of this set:
http://agrussell.com/italian-hobo-knife---three-tools-in-one-/p/MUR-992-3AVD/
its alright but the utensils feel odd because they don't have the same cant that real utensils have.
 
Great pics Sunny... I didn't know that they came completely apart like that.
 
I have one in my drawer at the office. It gets used a few times a month when I forget to pick up plastic stuff in the cafeteria or when I bring food from home but forget to bring something to eat it with. It's kind of handy, but not the sort of thing I'd think about carrying around all the time.
 
My father bought a box of those when I was a little kid. He's given me one, has one at his shop, and gave one to my little brother. Some junk no name models, but he likes them a lot. I would like to get him a Case model.
 
I have a junky Chinese one.

It has red plastic handles, like a wannabe SAK.

I might be tempted to throw it in my bag if my SAK didn't have a better blade and can opener, and if the cafeteria's plastic forks/spoons were unsatisfactory.

I might be tempted to bring it camping, but now that I think about it, it might be better just to bring a real spoon and fork instead.
 
Looks like a fork sibling to a trapper. Nice oldschool camping gear. Gives me somekind of itch for having one. But this kind of knife is not a Swedish commonpiece!

Bosse
 
I have one by Case with just the fork - no spoon. So does my wife. I've used mine quite a bit. The fork isn't as user friendly as a proper fork, but is still very usable. The ones with spoons don't interest me. Mine is a bit too thick as it is. Besides, carrying a spoon is easy. No sharp bits to poke you.

Sorry, no pictures at present.

Leo
 
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