New (to me) Cripple Creek

K

kodiak

Joined
Dec 24, 2002
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Just found this Cripple Creek today in my travels. It is very much what I have been keeping an eye out for lately. I absolutely wanted something similar to this. I had my eye on the Case/Bose Arkansas Hunter but felt it was a little big for EDC. This creek pattern is perfect.

I researched Cripple Creek all day for this particular knife but could not even come close to identifying it. It has great action, the walk and talk is awesome, with the half stop and all. It has no blade play and a lot of snap. I think it is a Serpentine jack, but I've been wrong before.

The fit and finish is great if the purpose is to be non symmetrical. The bolsters are not even close to being the same on each side. It's really weird, but it adds to the character in my opinion. Other that the total mis- mach of the bolsters it's fit and finish is perfect. I will be carrying this for a long time.

The markings on the blade is: Cripple Creek, Effingham, IL USA
Also if any has info on the meaning of the shield.

Any input appreciated

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I'm sure mckgreg or one of the other Cripple Creek experts will be able to help.

As to the shield, I don't know the "meaning" if any, but I've seen it on Utica Kutmaster's and I also have a Joe Allen "Eureka Jack" that features that shield on it.
 
That is a rare fella. Probably one of the first ones Blackjack produced while Cargill had influence on the production of their knives when he sold Cripple Creek to them. They were fixed blade makers and slipjoints weren't really their thing. After just a few years they ended up going broke and Cargill got the Cripple Creek name back.The knives with the Effingham stamp are not true Cripple Creeks that were made by Bob Cargill and you generally see the large folding hunters (Buffalo Skinner) and rarely see something like you have. That is a great piece of Cripple Creek history. This is a pattern that Cargill used before Cripple Creek and the frame has some similarities to the one you have.
Greg

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Greg,

Correct me if I am wrong here, but that old black jack - cc looks like a Sowbelly pattern only with the single clip blade?

kodiac,

What size is she closed?



Anthony
 
kodiak,

Check these Cripple Creek's out against yours for frame constancy. .

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It probably is the sowbelly frame Kodiak has. The knife he is showing just reminded me of the single blade I posted. I never really put it up against a sowbelly to see the difference. I'll have to do that.
Greg
 
Hi guys! Thank you for all the great info. The knife is 3.75 in. when closed. Thanks for the history lesson on this knife Greg, it is much appreciated! I visited http://www.freewebs.com/cripplecreekknifecollector/apps/photos/

right after I came home with the knife. Great web site, great pictures!


sunnyd: Those are some great looking knives. So do you think mine is a Sowbelly? It looks a little different. A touch less "belly" maybe? I looks more like Gregs picture. Do you see a difference? Maybe it's just me. Is the Sowbelly shorter? What is the closed leanth it?

What are your opinions on the mis-mached bolsters? It is weird, right?
This knife wis in mint condition! It was never even sharpped, I rectified that right away. :O)

Thanks!
 
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kodiak,

It is as exactly as Greg has stated about the history on this knife you have. As far as the pattern, I am thinking that the bolsters you have on your Blackjack Effingham knife are just different furniture on the old Cargill designed Sowbelly pattern with one blade instead of 3-5 blades. I truly believe that.

And when Greg compares his older 1979-1980(dates are an estimate on my part) Cargill single blade knife in the picture that he showed here, up to one of his Cripple Creek Sowbelly patterns it will become evident. Also, let me state that his knife may be an earlier version of the Sowbelly pattern since it pre-dates the Cripple Creek company that Bob Cargill formed soon afterward and is certainly one I haven't ever seen before.. As far as the closed length of my CC Sowbelly patterns in the photo's, they range from 3 5/8+ inches to 3 3/4 inches closed.

Either way, I agree with Greg, you have a super user and a scarce Cargill designed Blackjack produced pocket knife. I very much enjoyed seeing it and I am certain it will serve you well for many years to come. Enjoy it. :thumbup:

Best,

Anthony
 
Thank you so much for your all your input and your kind words about my new knife! This could be "THE ONE", athough I think I may have said that once (or twice) before. Eithter way I love this knife!

One more question: What do you think is the reason for the diffeance
in the bolsters from one side to the other. On the pivot end one side is slantted and one side is straight. Is this intended or were they just useing what they had at the time?

Thanks.
 
The difference in the bolsters could be from being one of the 1st ones to be built at Blackjack. Like I stated earlier. They were fixed blade makers and pocket knives were a new thing to them. They obviously didn't make but a few of them and it was more than likely part of the learning curve. Originally they had a line of different patterns to be produced but fell short of doing so. I'll see what I have for info on that.
Greg
 
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Here is a photo of the prototypes that were built during the Blackjack era of Cripple Creek. No sowbelly to be seen. The photo might not depict all the protos that were considered. It is possible that Kodiak's knife was something that was put together as a possible proto. Used different bolsters to see what the look would be and so on. Or it could be that soneone just put together a knife from parts around the shop. That may explain the rough assembly of the piece. The blade looks unique.
Greg

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mckgreg said:
Here is a photo of the prototypes that were built during the Blackjack era of Cripple Creek. No sowbelly to be seen. It is possible that Kodiak's knife was something that was put together as a possible proto. Used different bolsters to see what the look would be and so on. Or it could have be that soneone just put together a knife from parts around the shop. That may explain the rough assembly of the piece. The blade looks unique.
Greg

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Some Blackjack employee building the knife from parts could also explain the different bolsters.

All your theories sound very plausible though.



kodiak,

Would you mind giving the length of the blade tip to tang with the knife open?



Anthony
 
Hey guys. I like the Prototype theory. I could see building a knife with different style bolster to see how it would look. You wouldn't have to put time and material (= money) into 4 knives.

It is VERY well built, no blade play, bone is flush to all bolsters, action is smooth as silk all the way through opening, spring is strong (but not to strong). It fits so well in the bottom of my front jeans pocket. It makes me really appreciate the Sowbelly pattern, I have never held one before.

The point of the blade to the tang is 2.375.

Hey Greg, do you have an idea of what steel is used for my knife?

Thanks.
 
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I don't know Greg, pretty dad-gum close if you ask me. Bear in mind your(middle pre-CC Cargill) came first and the frame only held one spring and one blade. And the others are larger frames with multi-blades /springs. Now I aint'a saying they are exact. No sir. But yours could very well be the precursor to the Sowbelly pattern is all I am implying here..

And if you completely disagree with the aforementioned and think that she may not be the precursor to the Sowbelly, then what pattern do you think she is exactly?. Just curious to hear your thoughts.

Anthony
 
Sure Anthony, it's possible. The frame is narrow compared to the others and the belly isn't as pronounced, but sure, it could be a precursor. It seems to me that we did find a pattern that was almost exact to the single blade. It was discussed in a earlier thread. I don't remember which company built it. Schrade, Cattaraugus or somebody else. We did find one that had about the same frame and was a single blade although the blade was different from the beauty Cargill came up with.
Greg
 
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