OK knife experts, can you help me out here?

Mark J

Mark J

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Mar 15, 2001
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I was thinking back about two knives that my Grandfather gave me when I was a boy, probably around the 1970-1975 time period. They have both been misplaced or lost long ago. I'd really like to find out more about the knives, and if possible, see if I can locate them (yeah, I'm reliving my childhood...bear with me :p).

The first knife was a swiss army type knife, and was rather large. It had dark brown scales of stag, bone, or some sort of dark brown plastic that looked like stag or bone (this was the 70's after all - plastic is the wave of the future :D). Its most notable features were an integrated fork and spoon that folded into either side of the scales. Each side of the scales had a small cutout where the neck of the spoon and fork would fold into the scale. The fork and spoon were rather large and did not come off the knife (i.e., not a break-apart hobo knife). The knife overall was also rather large and had a number of other implements. I know he purchased it on a trip to Europe, but he bought it used.

The second knife was a fixed blade, with roughly a 5-6 inch blade. It looked a bit like a Fallkniven A1, but had a black thermoplastic handle. The end of the handle had a small lip on it. The most notable feature I remember was that the emblem on the handle was red and in the shape of a diamond. It also came with a black leather sheath (kind crappy quality IIRC).

Any information on either of these knives would be great! If anyone knows, you folks do.

- Mark
 
I had a similar knife to the first one in 81 or 82. It was an oversized pocketknife with a clip point blade, a saw, a spoon and fork, and I think a canopener and cap lifter/screwdriver. There were brown plastic scales that had the chipped/carved wood look. It was made from carbon steel. The knife wouldn't even fit in my pockets then and I'm guessing the size would br simlar to that of a CS Large Voyager. It seemed the size of an XL Voyager but I was 10 or 11 at the time. It had a really pathetic belt sheath because a few days after I got it I took it hiking and lost the knife. This was purchased in America so if it is the one you had it might be easier to find.
 
This Japanese example is from the 1960-70s.


n2s

BTW, your other knife sounds like one of the many variation of the Hitler youth knife. These knives are still made in Argentina, and a search of ebay should produce a few examples.
 
Thanks guys, I knew someone would know about these knives.

not2sharp: That's the knife, except the scales. Do you know which company made these, particularly ones with the brown chipped wood-looking scales? (thanks for the description Benjamin, that's a better way to describe it)

As far as the other one, a Hitler Youth knife? :eek: I'll cruise around Ebay and see what I can scare up. Any idea of who the manufacturer would have been with the red diamond logo?

- Mark
 
i-1.JPG

i-4.JPG


Note: there are many variations of the knife and many post war knives do not have the swastika.

n2s
 
The one I'm thinking of had a folding hunter lock back style handle though it did not lock. It looked sort of like what you would find on a larger Buck type folder.
 
I honestly don't remember the exact handle shape of the hobo-type knife. I do remember that it had steel liners that touched the scales, unlike the one up above appears.

On the Hitler Youth knife, the general style was similar, but it had no metal butt or guard. The butt and guard were all molded as part of the handle. Your picture also reminded me that the handles were checkered.

- Mark
 
The first knife described was a Japenese import as previously stated. They were not of the highest quality. They go back at least to the early 60's, possibly even lare 50's. They came with a rather crappy leather pouch type sheath. IIRC, they were called or at least describe on the package as an "eleven way knife". The reason I know so much is because I bought one when I was about ten. I found it, in of all places, the Washington National Catherdral's Herb Cottage Gift Shop. This place is still there and they sell mostly Cathedral themed souveniers, dry herbs and plants and fancy imported soaps and candles. You know crafty kind of stuff. But one day in 1960 when i walked into the place (I lived just a couple of blocks away and used to frequent the Cathedral grounds with my buddies) there was what i thought was the coolest knife I'd ever seen! I eventually saved my pennies and talked my Mom into going over to get for me. Didn't take me long to find out it wasn't the highest quality. I've been on the quest for the perfect knife ever since I got my first single blade slip joint at age six. The 60's were the nadir of the American knife industry if you ask me and it was almost an impossible task. I remember when I saw my first Buck 110 at a poker game in about 1967 or 1968. I thought I'd died and gone to knife heaven.

phantom4
 
I have the same kind of the Hobo type knife. Not sure how old it is. The spoon and fork on mine come out. The spoon and fork looks like modified kitchen silverware. I think it too big for real use.

kym
 
I have one like the German that you put the pic, so I would like to know about the quality of this knife, can you tell me something about it.

Thank you

roloss_valdes
 
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