Looking for info on LF&C folders

M

mp510

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Mar 20, 2006
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My father mentioned that he used to have a Universal (LF&C- Landers Frary and Clark) "peanut" knife- that he believes that he lost it (probably misplaced it in a box somewhere) years ago. His father was a tool and die man, and at one point did some work for LF&C. While I doubt that the his knife had came from his father, I figure that haveing an LF&C knife would probably be a nice momento for him. So, I have resolved to finding an LF&C knife to gift him. I have been searching the eBay a bit and noticed one 2 blade jack knife- that's actually in pretty decent shape. It seems that their kitchen cutlery and trench daggers are a lot easier to find than their pen knives.

Did LF&C actually make any peanuts? Is there any sources that describe what patterns they were known to have made?

Does anyone know of any other vintage knife sources that may have an affordable piece other than eBay?
 
Oh yes, they made peanuts, and a whole lot more - Antique Knives 2nd Ed by J. Bruce Voyles lists about 145 different patterns (I've got another listing somewhere but can't remember where at the moment). Interestingly, about the only natural scale materials they used were MOP and wood -- most of their knives had hard rubber or cel scales. As old knives go, they're usually fairly affordable, even in very good shape.
 
Their black cel is also darn near bulletproof. I've an early 20s LF&C Scout-utility knife in black cel that is as tight and clean as the day it was made.
 
Most of their knives have these molded jet black scales that look very much like nice stag, even in how the scales are hafted to the knife - really quite attractive. Some sources call them hard rubber, some call them "perfected stag" or some such - basically an opaque black cel - but whatever they are, they seem to be extremely stable. BTW, the darker and more opaque cel is (which means more and more other materials have been mixed into it) the more stable it is - so I guess LF&C really maxed it out.
 
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