Jack Knife Ben

[Raymond1000]

I was trying to figure out the difference between a boxcar knife and a hobo. The terms seem to be used interchangeably to describe break-apart jackknife/fork/(spoon?) combos. Is there a difference, or are they two names for but a single pattern?

That led me to this article by Bernard Levine. No doubt denizens of Bernard’s forum know all about Jack Knife Ben. Some of us in Traditional are less well informed.

Ben Chon came to Chicago as a young man in 1887, dead broke. Eventually odd jobs gave him eight dollars of seed money. He visited the Stockyards and…"I was amazed," said Ben, "at the number of farmers, stock-raisers, cowboys, and cattlemen who came there from all over. The thought occurred to me that every one of those men needed a first class jack knife. I asked myself why they shouldn't buy knives of me, and get good ones!” Eight dollars bought him a few dozen “first class” knives to hawk at the Stockyards. Jack Knife Ben was in business.

It’s a great look at a vanished time.

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/im-waiting-on-this-one.19970/

 

[mckgreg]

Thanks for posting this Raymond. Few people in this forum have any knowledge of Jack Knife Ben and his knives. To find a legitimate example of one of his knives is the Holy Grail for a lot of collectors.
Greg

 

[paulhilborn]

I love hearing this stuff!!! Any history at all that deals with cutlery/knives etc peaks my interest

I've had this knife for several years, it's a tribute piece to "Jack Knife Ben" German made (Bull Dog) maybe The only tang marking is on the main blade "Jack Knife Ben" with "Germany" imprinted on the back of the main blade. It's a pocket knife to big for pocket carry for me anyways 4/12 closed. It has very nice dark green bone scales and f&f is really quite good:thumbup: Just thought I'd post a picture---would love to see a real one someday

Thanks for the story and link Raymond:thumbup:

Paul

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Thanks for the information. Did they go under during the Depression?

 

[Raymond1000]

Thanks for the information. Did they go under during the Depression?

Alas, I Googled in vain.

OTOH, my search did turn this up. http://books.google.com/books?id=hXopAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA141&lpg=PA141&dq=Jack+Knife+Ben&source=bl&ots=J8_Y-rVZy6&sig=L_IP2dQ8lFNPdbD5VcTqQ8Lj-h8&hl=en&ei=XUzFTrDBNMaziQLO_YTiBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&c

 

[Bastid]

Knife World had what I think was two series article on him a while back and that was the only thing I have read on him up to now. Thank you for posting this!

 

[JPD1998]

Thanks for posting that, it was an interesting article.

 

[Peregrin]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the story and the Google book link. I'll put this on my Nook and read it.

 

[Tony Bose]

I have a couple rooster nutters by Jack Knife Ben, the real deal.

 

[paulhilborn]

I have a couple rooster nutters by Jack Knife Ben, the real deal.

Tony, we have to have pictures if you could

Thanks,

Paul

 

[LKJW]

Yeah, I'd love to see pics. And thanks for the history lesson. Very cool.

 

[mckgreg]

I have a couple rooster nutters by Jack Knife Ben, the real deal.

No fellas, "The Tony" isn't talkin' about chicken mc nuggets. Well, kinda, sort in a way maybe. Depending on where and when you grew up.
Paul, that looks like a Parker Anglo Saxon.
Greg

 

[Tony Bose]

I'll see if my understudy will take a couple pictures.

 

[nphelps4130]

Thanks for the link Raymond. I had never heard of Jack Knife Ben before. :thumbup:

 

[paulhilborn]

No fellas, "The Tony" isn't talkin' about chicken mc nuggets. Well, kinda, sort in a way maybe. Depending on where and when you grew up.
Paul, that looks like a Parker Anglo Saxon.
Greg

Greg, you're absolutely correct---I had forgotten until you said it:thumbup:

Thanks!

Paul

 

[mckgreg]

Just glad to have been of assistance. I am sure Mr. Boses's images , or any one else's of a true Jack Knive Ben , would be a lot of help and of great historical importance to this forum. That's what this place is all about Paul, and it would be nice to see it to continue in that way. It really is a shame to see fine examples of workmanship without constant exposure dissapear into the wake of "I gotta have it now" internet mentality
.Greg

 

[glocktenman]

Raymond,
There was an article in knife world several months ago about hobos. Pretty good article but I don't have my copy anymore. Maybe someone could ID the edition and you could get a copy of it some how.

 

[mckgreg]

I would like to meet this Mr Google feller. It seems to me that he doesn't know much about pocket knives or what people really need. I am sure that he is a nice a man and reallly isn''t concerned about making it easy to lift money out of your wallet. The folks at Knife World are pretty decent folks, from what I have learned over the years, and have a valued intererst in telling the truth.
Greg

 

[KnifeHead]

Here are some pics that Tony sent to me of his two Jack Knife Ben rooster nutters. Notice the swedge work on the tiny nuttin' blade on the top one. No hot spots on these tools...everything is smooth and rounded over for comfortable use all day long.

 

[Bastid]

Thank you Tony and Kerry. What you two and others bring to this place is priceless in my book.

g