old one piece project knife

O

oldpinecricker

Joined
Jan 22, 2009
Messages
73
Folks, I came across (own) an old one piece CR project knife with the hollow handle. Since I really am not a fan or collector/accumulator of this maker I have a question for you all.

My CR project knife has an number 220 apparently stamped on it. Is it common for these things to have numbers and do they still number their pieces.

Thanks in advance
 
Off the top of my head, I believe they were all numbered in South Africa (does yours say "Made in SA"?) and then CRK numbered them a while when Chris and Anne first came to the States, but stopped shortly thereafter. I think a search here will turn up more exact number details with dates.
 
Thanks for the info fellas.

This one is going down the road as I have too many blades that are unused and need to get me an KMG Grinder for the shop.
 
Do NOT discuss sales outside of the Exchange forums.

You need a Gold membership at least to sell on Bladeforums.
 
I have many One-Piece knives and have a few from with numbers/hex cap. I believe the numbered ones and the ones with hex cap were made in South Africa. When Chris and Anne came to the US, the numbers stopped and they went to the round end cap. Though, there are some made in USA hex cap One-Piece knives out there from when they first came here and were using up parts until everything was finalized with the newer style. The older ones also have grinding marks and a darker coating. The newer ones, you cannot see the grinding marks and the coating is more of a dark grey then the blacker style of the originals. There have been limited runs done here in the USA, but the numbers are not individual. They say 1 of 200, etc. Only 200 are made, but are not marked #150, #151, etc. I have 15 One-piece, they were my first love until I got a sebenza and mnandi. Sadly, I hear the One-Piece Knives may be discontinued in the next few years......
 
Agreed, that I'm not throwin numbers out on this for sale. I'm just thinking that it won't stay around, but who knows I may end up keeping it by chance.

More than anything I am looking for information onthese.

Indeed these pieces do exhibit machine marks and the colours indeed are darker. The cap or cover for the handle does differs also from the newer pieces.

Thanks again
 
Gargs said:
Off the top of my head, I believe they were all numbered in South Africa (does yours say "Made in SA"?) and then CRK numbered them a while when Chris and Anne first came to the States, but stopped shortly thereafter. I think a search here will turn up more exact number details with dates.
Click to expand...

I concur with Gargs. I have a few serialized OPR knives that were made in the US:
  • Shadow III #4, 8/89
  • Mountaineer II #52, 10/90
  • Shadow I #161, 12/92
  • Shadow I #175, 3/93
  • Project II #2, 11/93
If you seek additional information on your OPR knife, I'd encourage you to provide the following:

1) image(s) showing blade and guard shape
2) serial number, if any (you've already shared that as #220)
3) Country of origin markings -- Made in SA, Made in USA, or none
4) blade length

From that info, some exceptional OPR historian, like Jules, would be able to surmise much about the history of the knife.

BTW, you referred to your knife as a "CR project knife". If you mean to say that it is a Project I or Project II model, this probably gets easier. Project II production started in the U.S. in November 1993. Project I production was before that, but I seemed to recall that both models are USA models only. On that front, others may be able to make a more authoritative statement than I.
 
If you would like to know more direct information. Post good pic's of both sides of the blade (marking's especially) add a ruler or tape measure right next to the knife.


Thanks Dave for the compliment:thumbup:

Jules
 
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