Knives by Gun Manufacturers

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ElKabong

Joined
May 25, 2006
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132
Found this one recently at a pawn shop.....

S&W Model 6060 designed by Blackie Collins, 70's Vintage
Marked "Made In USA"
Supposedly made by Alcas since S&W didn't have the expertise to make a quality folder
Their fixed blades were supposed to have been made entirely in house.

Very nice finish, and locks up tight. Seems like a nice knife, and looks they bring >$100 on that unnamed auction site.

What other "quality" knives have been produced or licensed by gun mfgr's?

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ElKabong said:
What other "quality" knives have been produced or licensed by gun mfgr's?
Click to expand...

Of course, the sticking point on that is the need to qualify the response with "quality" knives. I won't comment on the nasties, nor on current production models branded with gun maker's names.

That being said, Remington has put out some wonderful knives, with designs, materials and construction that has stood the test of time. I think (others would know better) that they have had their own branded knives the longest of domestic makers.

I paid a fortune for the Browning 4018f lockback hunter back in the 70s, and it was worth every penny. I used that as a hunting/camping/fishing knife for years and even took it to work. I was told the blade was 440c, and it is quite hard. Then it was made in the USA and it still locks up tight and has more life left in it than I do. About that time, I lusted after their large stockman for years but never could swing the money to buy it. It was a German beauty that was only available at a local specialty hunting store and they charged full retail plus for anything marked Browning.

It seems every gun maker here and abroad has a line of knives with their name on it, and the quality seems to vary wildly, even within brands. If you are buying one, check for reviews first. I have a friend that has a new S&W that he has me sharpen for him. The steel is some unknown stainless but it wears very well and sharpens easily. It is ugly as a mud fence, but it is a great utility knife. He doesn't spare the abuse when using it.

Robert
 
Winchester has many high quality branded knives, and I've seen a few with the Ruger shield on them.

Colt is now going gangbusters with the "big blue roof" in Sevierville, TN, both traditional and tactical, but those are almost all cheaper, though well made, imports. They do have a collaboration with Case, and they are made in USA.
 
Seems as though in house knife making is all but a thing of the past for gunmakers. Ryan Wilson, son of Bill Wilson (Wilson Combat), at one time was making knives in house, with others, for Wilson but I do not know if that is still the case. I really do not think there are any at all. All are having their knives made anywhere from China to some of the better mid-tech makers to occasional higher end contracts such as Purdey with Stewart Michell and others, Purdey also uses much lower end makers, really not befitting a bespoke gunmaker. Probably without a doubt the upper-most of the top shelf in the bespoke gun world would be Holland & Holland with their Pierre Reverdy knives at $20K each as an accessory to some of their Royal Grade Double Rifles. I guess if you can pay $125K for a gun what is $20K more! I am leaving out pictures due to possible suitability issues with this forum but they are worth looking at and a quick Google search will yield them.
 
I have one of those S&W folders in the original post and one of the fixed blade models. The fixed blade is a good looking knife, but the steel seems soft to me. It's 1/4" stock. Quality of my two specimens was not what I expected. I still have them because it was an interesting time in S&W history.

I really don't know anything about the currently produced knife line.

Benchmade has made folders for H&K. I don't have any of them though. Only two Benchmades in my inventory and both are very good knives.

Ed J
 
Here's a lockback made for Smith & Wesson, back in the 1970's-80's. My dad had a drop-point model, and it got lost in a move. Several years ago I found an internet seller who had an identical knife, and also had a clip-point model. I sent my dad the drop-point for Christmas, and I bought the clip-point for myself.

I believe this one was called the "Maverick".
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This is a thread I posted on these knives around the time I bought them; it may shed some light on the subject, at least on the 70's & 80's era S&W knives.:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-old-Smith-amp-Wesson-knife?highlight=Wesson

~Chris
 
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Winchesters especially the older ones are very nice, wish i had some

Colt knives.... the new ones are "OK" seem to be very similar to rough riders... i cant knock it till i try it though:)
 
my friend at the local gun and knife show had a lady come up to him and sold hime a bunch of case and boker knifes that where around 30 years old and I cant belive the price she gave him. her husband passed away and she was just get his knifes gone. why cant I get that lucky??
 
I have a couple, including a Remington jack (later repro by Camillus), Winchester stockman (Queen) and a Browning stockman (Japan, nicely made though I don't know by who). I've seen some really nice Solingen Brownings, and Ruger branded Case knives.

I've handled others that my guys in the Troop have, (S&W, Winchester etc) and they range from OK to 'what were they thinking'. I believe all were gotten at Wally World or other discount store, they're all modern rather than traditional patterns, so I guess in a way they're good knives for boys between 11-17 who are very likely to lose them in the woods at some point ;)

I'm always encouraging my guys to get traditional patterns and I've pointed them (and their dads) to Colt for one, their knives look great and I hear they are well made. It's easier to recommend familiar brands names than try and explain Rough Rider or even Opinel. I figure if they start trying traditionals they'll understand why their grandfathers carried them.
 
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