SEARS KNIFE WORLD

[echoscout]

View attachment 2506460

 

[Invoice]

Picked up this little Ulster the other day

Etch is very faint
Craftsman 9528

 

[black mamba]

That's a beauty, N, I'm jealous.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Picked up this little Ulster the other day

Etch is very faint
Craftsman 9528

Gorgeous! Just Great aren't they!

 

[Adam5]

This Stockman has the HIGH Carbon STEEL U.S.A. tang stamp. Can't see any etch on the master blade.

View attachment 2195706

I have the same Stockman as David:

I believe that Duncan may have one that is in like new condition.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Gorgeous Stockman's echoscout & A Adam5 aren't they beautifully built!

Here is a awesome Knife for Sears, although I do admit I had to look into this as I was unsure of something on the knife.

What I was concerned about was the Punch on this Knife, the Punch is a Utica Lightening strike Punch, Utica make a couple of different Punches have not to date seen a Utica Lightening Strike Punch used on a Camillus Knife! This alarmed me, also, the Knife is a 4 bladed Cattle Knife- yet is called a WHITTLER by the Etch on the Main Blade.
The Knife has etched on the Main STA-SHARP ( OVER ) WHITTLER.

The name does not concern me, Sears had a habit of calling their Knife Handle material all sorts, and also called their other patterned Knives patterns they were not - for example I will be soon posting a "Soft Grip" Stockman Knife that Sears etched as a "GUNSTOCK".
This Knife has the Coping blade added into the package of Blades opposite the Main Clip- so I can see why they called it a Whittler?

So back to the question that was nagging at me - the Punch!
Being an extremely tidy example the Knife was something I wanted for my Sears lot, but I didn't want a Frankenstein, so I went into searching.....

After some time I found a VERY interesting Sears Catalog Page - in my own mix, something I didn't quite fully take notice of previously. There are two very interesting factors on this one Sears Catalog page.

Sears, 1937 - 1938, this page shows us at the very top, a illustration introducing the NEW SPIRAL PUNCH, if you look at your Sta-Sharp Knives that have a Punch they will have the Spiral Punch- if not? it will be Camillus's non-Spiral Punch (which is exactly the same as the Spiral Punch without the Spiral network on the Pile side- otherwise same Mark Side -same construction).
Camillus used the Mayer Punch in earlier days, but I haven't seen this used on any Camillus Sears Knives (yet).

What confirmed to me that this Knife was in fact original and untouched was, on that page shown a 4 bladed Knife clearly showing the Utica Lightening Strike Punch on a Stay Sharp Knife!
This may sound not much to you but this was a big find for me, not only confirming the Knife but learning of a new punch that was on the scene all the time- hidden away in lower numbers.
Remembering Sta-Sharp was uniquely and solely Camillus.

Since then I have found a couple more Sta-Sharp Knives provided by Camillus to Sears that have this Utica Punch. It made sense, these Punches were being used in the time frame before Camillus's introduction of their new "Spiral Punch" and the knives I was finding certainly fit into the pre1937 -1938 time frame.
Not long after I purchased this Knife, I was able to purchase another Sta Sharp Stockman that has the Sta-Sharp Script Font on the Tang - that also has - yes you guessed it, a Utica Lightening strike Punch - which validates this knife even more so ( I haven't possession of the latest knife yet).

Pretty sad when you look at my life that I get that thrilled to find these small things out in the Sears World that continues to throw nothing but questions at me.

When talking to a very educated good Knife friend - he said to me " Well, does this make you think that perhaps Utica Contract made the Knives for Camillus"? either that or did Camillus buy punches from Utica ? More Questions , we find one thing and are left with more questions

One of the frustrating things is, that if there is not a Number etched on the Blade or stamped into the Tang- the chances of finding that particular knife in a Catalog become very slim.

The Punch and the Coping Blade:

 

[Invoice]

I forgot I had this little one.

 

[SteveC]

Gorgeous Stockman's echoscout & A Adam5 aren't they beautifully built!

Here is a awesome Knife for Sears, although I do admit I had to look into this as I was unsure of something on the knife.

What I was concerned about was the Punch on this Knife, the Punch is a Utica Lightening strike Punch, Utica make a couple of different Punches have not to date seen a Utica Lightening Strike Punch used on a Camillus Knife! This alarmed me, also, the Knife is a 4 bladed Cattle Knife- yet is called a WHITTLER by the Etch on the Main Blade.
The Knife has etched on the Main STA-SHARP ( OVER ) WHITTLER.

The name does not concern me, Sears had a habit of calling their Knife Handle material all sorts, and also called their other patterned Knives patterns they were not - for example I will be soon posting a "Soft Grip" Stockman Knife that Sears etched as a "GUNSTOCK".
This Knife has the Coping blade added into the package of Blades opposite the Main Clip- so I can see why they called it a Whittler?

So back to the question that was nagging at me - the Punch!
Being an extremely tidy example the Knife was something I wanted for my Sears lot, but I didn't want a Frankenstein, so I went into searching.....

After some time I found a VERY interesting Sears Catalog Page - in my own mix, something I didn't quite fully take notice of previously. There are two very interesting factors on this one Sears Catalog page.

Sears, 1937 - 1938, this page shows us at the very top, a illustration introducing the NEW SPIRAL PUNCH, if you look at your Sta-Sharp Knives that have a Punch they will have the Spiral Punch- if not? it will be Camillus's non-Spiral Punch (which is exactly the same as the Spiral Punch without the Spiral network on the Pile side- otherwise same Mark Side -same construction).
Camillus used the Mayer Punch in earlier days, but I haven't seen this used on any Camillus Sears Knives (yet).

What confirmed to me that this Knife was in fact original and untouched was, on that page shown a 4 bladed Knife clearly showing the Utica Lightening Strike Punch on a Stay Sharp Knife!
This may sound not much to you but this was a big find for me, not only confirming the Knife but learning of a new punch that was on the scene all the time- hidden away in lower numbers.
Remembering Sta-Sharp was uniquely and solely Camillus.

Since then I have found a couple more Sta-Sharp Knives provided by Camillus to Sears that have this Utica Punch. It made sense, these Punches were being used in the time frame before Camillus's introduction of their new "Spiral Punch" and the knives I was finding certainly fit into the pre1937 -1938 time frame.
Not long after I purchased this Knife, I was able to purchase another Sta Sharp Stockman that has the Sta-Sharp Script Font on the Tang - that also has - yes you guessed it, a Utica Lightening strike Punch - which validates this knife even more so ( I haven't possession of the latest knife yet).

Pretty sad when you look at my life that I get that thrilled to find these small things out in the Sears World that continues to throw nothing but questions at me.

When talking to a very educated good Knife friend - he said to me " Well, does this make you think that perhaps Utica Contract made the Knives for Camillus"? either that or did Camillus buy punches from Utica ? More Questions , we find one thing and are left with more questions

One of the frustrating things is, that if there is not a Number etched on the Blade or stamped into the Tang- the chances of finding that particular knife in a Catalog become very slim.

The Punch and the Coping Blade:

Great detective work Duncan !

 

[Campbellclanman]

I Invoice - now that’s a wee Sweetheart right there matey

SteveC - Thank you my friend.

 

[herder]

Gorgeous Stockman's echoscout & A Adam5 aren't they beautifully built!

Here is a awesome Knife for Sears, although I do admit I had to look into this as I was unsure of something on the knife.

What I was concerned about was the Punch on this Knife, the Punch is a Utica Lightening strike Punch, Utica make a couple of different Punches have not to date seen a Utica Lightening Strike Punch used on a Camillus Knife! This alarmed me, also, the Knife is a 4 bladed Cattle Knife- yet is called a WHITTLER by the Etch on the Main Blade.
The Knife has etched on the Main STA-SHARP ( OVER ) WHITTLER.

The name does not concern me, Sears had a habit of calling their Knife Handle material all sorts, and also called their other patterned Knives patterns they were not - for example I will be soon posting a "Soft Grip" Stockman Knife that Sears etched as a "GUNSTOCK".
This Knife has the Coping blade added into the package of Blades opposite the Main Clip- so I can see why they called it a Whittler?

So back to the question that was nagging at me - the Punch!
Being an extremely tidy example the Knife was something I wanted for my Sears lot, but I didn't want a Frankenstein, so I went into searching.....

After some time I found a VERY interesting Sears Catalog Page - in my own mix, something I didn't quite fully take notice of previously. There are two very interesting factors on this one Sears Catalog page.

Sears, 1937 - 1938, this page shows us at the very top, a illustration introducing the NEW SPIRAL PUNCH, if you look at your Sta-Sharp Knives that have a Punch they will have the Spiral Punch- if not? it will be Camillus's non-Spiral Punch (which is exactly the same as the Spiral Punch without the Spiral network on the Pile side- otherwise same Mark Side -same construction).
Camillus used the Mayer Punch in earlier days, but I haven't seen this used on any Camillus Sears Knives (yet).

What confirmed to me that this Knife was in fact original and untouched was, on that page shown a 4 bladed Knife clearly showing the Utica Lightening Strike Punch on a Stay Sharp Knife!
This may sound not much to you but this was a big find for me, not only confirming the Knife but learning of a new punch that was on the scene all the time- hidden away in lower numbers.
Remembering Sta-Sharp was uniquely and solely Camillus.

Since then I have found a couple more Sta-Sharp Knives provided by Camillus to Sears that have this Utica Punch. It made sense, these Punches were being used in the time frame before Camillus's introduction of their new "Spiral Punch" and the knives I was finding certainly fit into the pre1937 -1938 time frame.
Not long after I purchased this Knife, I was able to purchase another Sta Sharp Stockman that has the Sta-Sharp Script Font on the Tang - that also has - yes you guessed it, a Utica Lightening strike Punch - which validates this knife even more so ( I haven't possession of the latest knife yet).

Pretty sad when you look at my life that I get that thrilled to find these small things out in the Sears World that continues to throw nothing but questions at me.

When talking to a very educated good Knife friend - he said to me " Well, does this make you think that perhaps Utica Contract made the Knives for Camillus"? either that or did Camillus buy punches from Utica ? More Questions , we find one thing and are left with more questions

One of the frustrating things is, that if there is not a Number etched on the Blade or stamped into the Tang- the chances of finding that particular knife in a Catalog become very slim.

The Punch and the Coping Blade:

Wonderful intriguing knife and great detective work to support it.
This is the type of thing that really makes this hobby fun and interesting.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Thank you Herder!

I will post the other Knife with the Utica Punch as well as Catalog page showing the 4 Bladed Trooper with that Utica Punch!

Edit: Here is the Catalog Page now, the great thing about what makes Sears Catalogs is that their illustrations are fantastic- the late 1800's and early 1900's were magnificent. These 1930's and 1940's were still very good illustrations that you can count on being extremely accurate.

Note the introduction of the Spiral Twist at the Top of the page, I have also included a cropped close up of the 4 Bladed Trooper ( you see middle-right 3rd row down for 49 cents ) to show the detail of the Utica Lightening Strike Punch.

The Composite Handles were what they were in the 30's, but what we tried to do in the article was point out just when the Celluloids were being ranked with the very best next to the wonderful bone handled examples, I think that this Knife in the previous post would sit quite comfortably amongst the Bone Stag examples.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Hi everyone!

Oh Boy! Sears never stopped did they, to have one of each of their amazing knives they offered since day 1 to lets say the mid 80's when the Well dried up I am sure would demand a small Warehouse to display those Knives! Oh to have examples of the very very early days!

Wilbert came in a little later, but still the earlier brand for Sears between the years of 1908 to 1925.

Here is a Gunstock Knife - Camillus too made this pattern both for Sears and in the Sword Branded range, I wonder if the Camillus pattern was the copy of this guy here.........

Beautiful Bone, Lovely Swage work- Rats Tailed Bolsters - just a gem - this guy has been used and the main slightly shortened, but still ( IMO ) a Grand looking Knife.

The Camillus, This guy here has the Craftsman as the main Etch, and the Sub Etch of Sta-Sharp making this a possible late 1941 or more likely a 1942 model, note the exact same pattern of the Gunstock shape.

 

[tongueriver]

Very nice, Duncan! They sure changed the blade grinds from the early days!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Thanks Cal !
When you think this Knife is 100 years old now- its pretty darned nice and you are so right with the Grinds Cal!

 

[Campbellclanman]

I posted this in Charlies "ELUSIVE SCHRADE" Thread, although I don't think this ear of Schrade Pruners are all too Elusive, I think in this Condition I thought I would pick it up, I also have another example at my good Friend and Northern Dakota Post Masters House, I thought it would be very nice to have two tidy examples of the Schrade Walden Pruners for Sears.
While closed at some stage -there seems to be a Oils stain- it's not corrosion of any sort but a stain that has manged to get onto the Pile side- I don't mind showing this- it is not detrimental to the Knife and I could clean it off - but I'd rather leave the Knife as is, photo's show the Knife as rather scratchy - but in the hand you can't see this.
I must admit I kinda like this Knife

 

[Campbellclanman]

To those who don't like the Composite Knives all too much, I get it, I must admit I too was for a long time on the same frequency of thinking, but once I started to dive into the Sears World, seeing the Composite Knives - wearing what I often term as the "Blue Collar workwear" ( The more economic friendly Plastic Man Made materials rather than the Bone Stag of Stag ), but the range of these Knives was huge, the Marketing strategies, the naming of the knives as well the real nice quality of the Blades and tools that were the same as the very top tiered Knives - I really fell for them.
BuckHorn, Jigged Plastic or Peachseed Plastics you see throughout this Thread I hope show the attractiveness and the durability of these Knives - remembering that these Knives you are looking at are 70 to 90 years old.

One Composite not so Old, The Schrade Old Timers were / are and will be outstanding for many many years to come, simply an Old Timer with a different Tattoo, one that state it's a Sears Knife and not an Old Timer.
A nice Tidy Example, Stainless.....

 

[Campbellclanman]

A Flaming Composite that has seen use, but I couldn't quite turn away from this one, scratches-a-plenty but has it's place - and of course the Camillus Spiral Punch signs the deal for me, here is this Ol' Girl who still turns the boys heads at over 80 years old. Nicely Etched.....

 

[lambertiana]

Hi everyone!

Oh Boy! Sears never stopped did they, to have one of each of their amazing knives they offered since day 1 to lets say the mid 80's when the Well dried up I am sure would demand a small Warehouse to display those Knives! Oh to have examples of the very very early days!

Wilbert came in a little later, but still the earlier brand for Sears between the years of 1908 to 1925.

Here is a Gunstock Knife - Camillus too made this pattern both for Sears and in the Sword Branded range, I wonder if the Camillus pattern was the copy of this guy here.........

Beautiful Bone, Lovely Swage work- Rats Tailed Bolsters - just a gem - this guy has been used and the main slightly shortened, but still ( IMO ) a Grand looking Knife.

The Camillus, This guy here has the Craftsman as the main Etch, and the Sub Etch of Sta-Sharp making this a possible late 1941 or more likely a 1942 model, note the exact same pattern of the Gunstock shape.

Fantastic Wilbert, Duncan!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Thank you kind Sir!

 

[Oldy]

Thank you kind Sir!

Do those spiral punches have a sharp side.