Tell Me About The Senator Pattern?

J

jamesbeat

Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
314
Having recently become enamoured of the peanut, I'm now looking at smaller knives in general more seriously.

I'm trying to find out more about the Senator pattern, but there doesn't seem to be much information out there.

Am I right in thinking that the Senator, the pattern that Case calls the Eisenhower, and the generic 'Pen Knife' are all names for this same pattern?

What should I look for in this type of knife? Should both spear and pen blades have a single common backspring, or is it generally two?

Is the type of knife without bolsters often seen as advertising knives the same thing as a senator, or does this pattern have a different name?

I've been trying out the various patterns recently by buying and carrying Rough Riders, Steel Warriors etc.
The idea is that I make sure I really get along with a pattern before buying nicer examples, because I simply don't have the money to buy expensive knives only to discover I don't like them.
Are there any inexpensive senator tyoe knives I could throw in my pocket as a test? The usual suspects don't seem to make them.

Either that, or I have got the name wrong and I'm just using the wrong search terms...

I used to have a Victorinox secretary.
At the time, I didn't really like it, but that was before I started to appreciate small knives. Is the secretary a good typical example of this type of knife?

Sorry for all the questions, I usually manage to do my research without help, but I'm just not having much luck with this pattern.
 
The typical generic "pen knife" and Senator are often the same thing (though technically, "pen knife" is also a much more general term and defines knives with blades pivoted at both ends). Pen knife is also the general name for smaller knives with blades pivoted at both ends - say under 3 1/2" closed. A Senator is a pen knife with identical rounded bolsters (or ends), and straight sides. The Case Eisenhower is technically an oval pen - a slightly more refined shape. If it doesn't have bolsters it's just called a shadow pattern - the pattern could be anything. It'd be a shadow pen or shadow Senator - but most people probably wouldn't call it that these days. Most manufacture's will call their Senator patterns something else. The Victorinox Secretary is an oval pen - at 3 1/4" closed it's still considered a pen knife. Traditionally, Senators (or any small pen knives) have had one spring per two blades -- with some makers that may or may not be true any longer.

In short, you'll need to take a look at a manufacturer's products to find the Senator patterns - and other types of pen knives too - because they'll usually be named something else. I think Case only calls two patterns in production right now a "pen".

There are various smaller pen knives in production now, but they won't usually have the Senator pattern shape. A favorite of mine is the Buck 309 - two blades, 3" closed, has two springs but is exactly the same thickness as when it had only one spring, but has a more stockman pattern shape. The Case 32087 is actually called a pen by Case -- 3 3/8" closed, two blades, one spring, CV or SS - but a premium stockman shape.
 
Last edited:
Case makes or has made a few different versions of the Senator pattern. The 063 pattern which Case calls the Eisenhower, the 01 pattern that has the same frame but is smaller and the 71 pattern which is the largest of the three. Some of them came with a file in place of the pen blade.

I wouldn't swear by it but I believe they all have a single backspring.

I recently got a Case 063 Eisenhower and I love it. It is a much smaller knife than I am used to carrying but that is the reason I bought it and it is working out very well for me so far. Been carrying it about 5 or 6 days.

I don't know of any inexpensive Senator type knives but if there are any, I would like to know as well. Some of the 063 Case patterns can be had NIB for around $28.

Here's my new Eisenhower just for the heck of it:

IMG_1239.jpg


IMG_1240.jpg
 
I've got an old Case 06263 SS, 70's vintage I think. It's not the best example of their work, but if you p.m. or e-mail me your mailing address, I'll send it to you. It should at least let you see if you want to pursue the pattern.
 
Thanks everyone for your comprehensive replies, this forum really is like a goldmine of information.
I've learned more from your replies than I did from a couple of hours searching the internet.
I'm not surprised I had a hard time finding out about this pattern, because I didn't realise it was in fact more than one pattern!

Yablanowitz, are you sure?
That's incredibly nice of you, could I send you something to cover shipping or buy you lunch or something?
 
yablanowitz said:
I've got an old Case 06263 SS, 70's vintage I think. It's not the best example of their work, but if you p.m. or e-mail me your mailing address, I'll send it to you. It should at least let you see if you want to pursue the pattern.
Click to expand...

Yet another example of what a class act this place and the people in it, are. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Congrats James on a new knife to explore, but beware, those little guys are beguiling.:thumbup:

Carl.
 
Oh no, am I about to have another peanut-type pattern on
My hands? :(

Yablanowitz, PM sent.
Thanks again, and let me know what you want me to do.
 
jackknife said:
Did I ever tell you guys about my old Uncle Milton and his tuxedo? He used to do amazing things with it.
:D:D

Carl.
Click to expand...

Let's not go there, Carl. ;)

DSCF0632.jpg


:D

James, this Case came out of a lot of knives I bought on eBay. If I remember right, I gave just over $100 for a lot of 55 knives. Considering one of those was a Schrade 3 3/4" double switchblade in working order, I considered the rest of the knives free.
 
Wow! That's quite a haul!
Less than $2 a knife, why don't I ever get deals like that?
Still, it's very nice of you to offer to send me one :)
 
The Senator pattern, aka "equal end pen", pattern is my favorite. Unfortunately modern examples are scarce.

Here's the Case pen knife, which is not a senator since the ends are not symmetrical.
Stagpenknife.jpg


The modern Case Eisenhower is another nice pen knife, but is more slender than knives usually called senators.
Eisenhower.jpg


Here's another similar pattern, the Equal End Whittler or maybe it could be called an Equal End Jack. Heavier and bulkier than the more gentlemanly senator.
PALCutlery.jpg


So there are three knives that are not Senators. :D

Here's one that is a senator, recent production but now discontinued:
QN-21P.jpg
 
I wonder why there aren't many modern made ones?
It seems like a good pattern, I would have thought there would be quite a high demand for it.
 
jamesbeat said:
I wonder why there aren't many modern made ones?
It seems like a good pattern, I would have thought there would be quite a high demand for it.
Click to expand...

Probably because nobody under the age of 30 would buy one. No one handed lightning speed opening, and unable to go through car doors with ease, and they arn't in action movies or TV shows.

Just too real world functioning cutting tools for most people these days.

Carl.
 
James, the knife is on its way, tracking # 03103200000017474576. I went ahead and deleted your visitor message so your address wouldn't be out there for the whole world to see.
 
You're the best :)
That's better service than I've got from people who actually sell knives :D
Thanks for deleting the message, I'm not allowed to send PM's for some reason.
I'm going to do the thing I mentioned in the message.
 
To give an idea of how scarce modern senators are, I just did a search for "senator" at SMKW. There were two results, two knives calling themselves senators, but neither actually is; one is a Remington two-blade congress, and the other is a serpentine 2-blade stockman.
 
Hi,

I have one Senator, a Camillus that my Grandfather owned. It's a fine Gentleman's pocket knife. And I do carry occasionally when I dress up and need to be somebody.

100_5264.jpg


100_5261.jpg


Dale
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top