My Grand Dad's Dunlap

[fewpop]

Just for fun, I thought I'd share a couple of pix of my grandfather's Dunlap pocket knife. It's not extremely old, maybe 50 to 60 years, and probably not that rare, but it is special to me because of it's heritage.

The following is quoted from Bernard Levine:

"Col. Tom Dunlap was the hardware and cutlery buyer for Sears in the 1910s-40s period. He created the CRAFTSMAN brand of tools sold by Sears, though this brand was not used on knives until after WWII. He also created the Sears "National Hardware Week" promotion. I learned about him from the late Albert M. Baer, who sold Sears all of its knives from 1922 into the 1980s.

In the 1930s, Dunlap asked Baer to create three knife brands for Sears, at three price points. All three were manufactured by Camillus. The brands were STA-SHARP (best), DUNLAP (middle), KWIK-KUT (budget)."

It's good old made in the U.S.A. carbon steel, and I keep it clean and sharp. It is 3.5" closed with nice rounded-egde nickel silver bolsters & brass liners. The scales are a synthetic "faux stag". The knife has half stops and excellent snap. I like the patina. Hope you enjoy the view.

 

[marcinek]

fewpop....that knife is perfect. Perfect.

Beautiful patina on carbon blades, honestly "pocket-worn," and it's your GrandDad's knife.

I think its the quintessential traditional slipjoint.

Seriously...I'm speechless...it is invaluable and you are a lucky knife owner.

Thanks so much for sharing it!!!

 

[Blues]

Beautiful knife, my friend, and priceless.

 

[lotoblades]

Beutiful Knife!

 

[muskrat man]

That knife IS perfect, a nice even patina, and who don't like a nice old simple jack knife with a spear and pen blade? PLUS it was your grandads, what's not to like

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

Very special knife! A lot of character and class.

 

[knowtracks]

Great knife Fewpop, Love the long pull! But most of all it's great to carry a piece of your grandpa around.

 

[Lion]

Wonderful knife.

Leo

 

[sunnyd]

Super vintage Jacknife there with great photo's and I got a history lesson to boot -- Thanks for that!.:thumbup:

 

[fewpop]

Thanks for all the positive comments folks.

If any of you have one of your Grand Dad's pocket knives in your collection, and want to share a photo here, It would be fun to see them.

-Ford

 

[El Lobo]

Not my Grandfather's knife, but here is a STA-SHARP stockman, just as an addition to the history part.....

.....hopefully, you can make out the milled center liner, which would be one of the little extras that came with the top line of the offerings.

That's a nice Dunlap fewpop. As added information, there are some more shown here...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467759&page=6

...especially posts #114 and #117.

Good thread.

Bill

 

[fewpop]

El Lobo, Thanks for showing your STA-Sharp. Very cool. Do you know what the scales are on that one? The milled center line is a nice touch. Also, the link you provided to more info about the Sears/Camillus knives is helpful.

Looks like my Dunlap was probably purchased shortly before my grand dad went back into the Army during WWII. He and his whole class of fellow cadets at West Point were pulled out in their 3rd year (1917) and sent to positions in Europe during WWI. My grand dad would only rarely talk of serving with a cannon company in battle during WWI. He served later in N. Africa during WWII (he may have had my Dunlap in his pocket then).

Thanks for the info El Lobo. :thumbup:

 

[Bastid]

What a knife. Not only is it beautiful, but it is easy to see why it is so special to you.

 

[El Lobo]

Enjoyed being part of your thread.

It's just some type of black jigged synthetic material...but it's a cool old knife.

Wish I knew the history, like yours. :thumbup:

Bill

 

[Codger_64]

An excellent example of the knife fewpop. And extremely valuable because it's history is personal to you and your family.

I often suggest that such heirloom knives be mounted in a shadowbox with a picture of the original owner and possibly a signature from an old letter or check. In this case, be sure that if you do mount it, that you drill air holes around the perimiter of the frame if it is glass covered.

As you can see by most of my examples with that type handle, the gasses from the cell are caustic and will rust the blades. I have been told this is a problem mostly with celluloid which has not been properly cured before mounting. But I am not an expert on cell.

Again, a nice example of a pre-war Sears Dunlap knife and a great personal connection to the original owner. Thanks for showing it to us with such good pictures.

Codger

 

[Karl5]

That's a wonderful knife, fewpop!
Must be very special indeed to have such a living memory of your grand-father.

/ Karl

 

[malextwo]

fewpop - great looking knife. Love the sentiment too. Mike

 

[fewpop]

You folks were so supportive in your comments, and appreciative of the sentimental value of my grand dad's Dunlap, that I thought you might like to see a couple of other related pictures.

My grand dad in WWI uniform:

Some of his military insignia and ribbons. I don't know much about the ribbons, maybe some of you could share here if you do.

His West Point cadet's sword, sheath, & belt:

 

[rebeltf]

Wow....... Nice pictures.
Thanks to your Grandpa for his service to our Country. :thumbup:
Beautiful knife , hold on to it carefully !
Sadly cherished items that cannot be replaced sometimes grow legs..

 

[ElCuchillo]

Very cool to be able to see the man who once handled an old knife. Thanx fewpop.