Photo request and opinions: Utica knives and stockman

navihawk

navihawk

Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Messages
4,677
If anyone has any of the new Utica Kutmaster knives I ask for photos and opinions. Thanks in advance.
 
I'm glad you asked this; Utica-Kutmaster is the only current USA mass producer of cutlery that I own nothing of current production from. OH
 
Weak backsprings. I had a new stockman and gifted it to a friend. F&F is similar to Case.
 
I have a new Barlow. Backsprings are a little on the stiff side. F&F excellent considering the price for in-country handwork (under $40 delivered). That is, I have two quibbles not worth mentioning.
I had heard that if you buy the 1095 you get one stainless blade. I didn't really believe it, and it didn't worry me because I wanted the stainless. Mine has one non-stainless blade. I don't know why they do that, and they won't tell me. I don't know why they don't describe the product accurately if they insist on mixing the steels. And I don't know if it was an accident they've corrected and don't wish to discuss.
o549wH7F

I had to know if the developing patina was in my imagination.
EiSGPHJ2

Nope. Note pen blade is reflecting my hand like a mirror, clip is all grey.
pIiX8fUN
 
Last edited:
Utica seems to be almost a mystery company; they don't blow their horn much and I don't know much about them. I know that they make knives for Stuart Taylor and stamp the blades SCHRADE WALDEN for him, which may mislead some folks, but he owns that trademark.
 
My sense is that most of their business is large contracts with people like Klein tools, and other companies that want their own names on the knives, and most of Utica's marketing and CS money goes there.
I e-mailed them a simple question once (which knives are made at Noyes St in Utica), and got an immediate answer; then I tried a few questions at once to clarify some language in their website and catalog, and got no answer. And still no peep about the carbon blade on my stainless knife.
 
Interesting, scrteened.
I recently got one of their barlows. Tbe clip blade is stainless, and the pen is carbon. I'm beginning to think they assemble them from messy piles of blades. If they take a blade from the edge of the pile, it's luck of the draw.
 
They have a Stainless Bladed line of knives, and a Carbon Bladed line. Sounds to me like they just use whatever they happen to have at hand for Carbon Line.
 
Interesting. I hate to blow $30.00 on a knife not knowing the outcome, but I may just get one to find out.
 
It makes me crazy! They can label their bins, why mix their steels? Why not describe the knives properly if they must mix the steels? Why refuse to explain themselves?
Mind you, they're still good knives, and I would say that even if I were not from Utica myself, and not possessed of warm fuzzy memories of the factory store. But really.
 
While I love knives no matter the land they were created I'm intrigued. An American company still producing knives should be celebrated. Especially if a good product. I love the original US knife companies that still survive. There were so many yet most were entwined with their largest competitors be it family or friend. Thanks for this thread.
 
I have one of their early Barlows, ("early" as in early in their current production. I bought it almost as soon as it was available.)
Fit and finish is similar to Case, but the springs are weak.

I also have one of their "early" Carbon steel Stockman knives.
Springs are medium, not weak. Fit and finish are likewise about equal to Case, with the only negative being a bit of blade rub between the spey and sheepsfoot when I am opening the knife. There are no gaps between the springs. The springs are exactly flat when all the blades are closed. They are exactly flat when each blade is opened.

I think I paid about $30 for it a couple of years ago. I consider it worth the price charged.

100_3160.jpg
 
knarfeng said:
I have one of their early Barlows, ("early" as in early in their current production. I bought it almost as soon as it was available.)
Fit and finish is similar to Case, but the springs are weak.

I also have one of their "early" Carbon steel Stockman knives.
Springs are medium, not weak. Fit and finish are likewise about equal to Case, with the only negative being a bit of blade rub between the spey and sheepsfoot when I am opening the knife. There are no gaps between the springs. The springs are exactly flat when all the blades are closed. They are exactly flat when each blade is opened.

I think I paid about $30 for it a couple of years ago. I consider it worth the price charged.

100_3160.jpg
Click to expand...

I had the same one in red bone Frank. Your assessment is right on IMHO and it is worth the money. :thumbup:
 
scrteened porch said:
Is it only the Barlows that have the mixed steels? I could go for one of their stockmans.
Click to expand...


I have a small stockman that's all carbon. I bought it a few years ago and wrote a review, and a few folks posted that theirs had stainless blades mixed in. I guess it's a risk, but other than that it is a decent knife for the price. USA made/ under $30. Weak backsprings, but I like that. (I have wimpy nails)
 
r8shell said:
I have a small stockman that's all carbon. I bought it a few years ago and wrote a review, and a few folks posted that theirs had stainless blades mixed in. I guess it's a risk, but other than that it is a decent knife for the price. USA made/ under $30. Weak backsprings, but I like that. (I have wimpy nails)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately for me, I'm on a stainless binge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top