Knives from dad....

J

John T Wylie Jr

Joined
Feb 1, 2007
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2,624
Dad dropped by this morning, he was doing some cleaning at his place and brought my middle son some old coins & watches that belonged to my grand-father. He also gave me these knives that all but 1 belonged to my grandfather. The one I am not so sure about as it appears to be stainless, not sure when it was made, so I can't verify if it was paps or not. Dad seems to think it was.

Nothing of any major $$$ value, but for sentimental value, no amount of $$$ can replace these in my collection.

Somehow I have went all these years without having a Barlow in my rotation. After handling this one, I now know I must get a few more.

Seeing as my grandfather passed before I was born and I never got to meet him. I sat here today examining every mark on each knife, imagining how each got there. Wondering what he used them for. He was a truck driver, and I know he used to whittle a lot.
The red handled Case knife has seen some serious use, as it was sharpened a whole lot. Dad seems to recall him using this one to whittle.

Plan is to clean them up lightly, leaving all patina in place. And then just enjoy them.

Top - Long Yellow - Imperial
Barlow - cant read the tang stamp , does have USA to the right vertically

2nd row left to right.
Yellow handled Case , tang marked CASE with XX under it
two blade red handled CASE XX - this one has the blades sharpened away to almost nothing...a nail was used and peened over for the center pin
Case - 3 blades (on broken) , has C___ase logo with tested X underneath

Imperial Stainless USA
Colonial Prov R.I.


Blade-5811 by the45guy, on Flickr

Love the "nail" pin on this one. Other side scale is missing. Pretty crude, but it held up for many years.


Blade-5803 by the45guy, on Flickr


Blade-5801 by the45guy, on Flickr


Blade-5802 by the45guy, on Flickr

Even with my magnifier specs, I still have not figured out the stamp on this one:

Blade-5804 by the45guy, on Flickr
 
Well I was just wondering if that was an original gum fuddy or not. Can't tell from pics. Ull like that Barlow they are great lil knives.
 
John,

I believe the tang stamp on the barlow is Hammer Brand with vertical USA which, if so, would date it to about 1945 to 1955.

hbstamp_zps55800e12.jpg
 
Last edited:
These knives are great looking and well used tools. Thanks for showing the different tang stamps. :)

About Gum Fuddy - all I know about that material is the knowledge I got from a Case catalogue some time ago. It is a synthetic material which was used during WWII while a lot natural materials were rare. Seems to a little like Delrin or Acrylic but different somehow. I think that some of the other members here know more about that material than I do.

Maybe it helps a little... have a nice sunday!
 
Thanks for the info on the barlow.

Being granpaps, they have to all be prior to 1960. I am enjoying the journey researching them. They will hold a very special place in my collection.
 
Very nice that you have these knives sir :)
 
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