This dog 'll hunt......the one that got me started.

L

loosenock

Joined
Jul 10, 2002
Messages
77
I'm new at posting threads. I tried posting this one 5 times last night. Hopefully I can get it done this time. This is a picture of my grandfathers KA-BAR Jumbo trapper. I lived with him in southern Illinois '59 - '62, I was 12 in '59. We were a sustenance family living mostly from the land. Grandpa only worked the three months of summer as a painter to earn money to buy the things we couldn't raise or catch. During the winter months we trapped. I had two trap lines that I ran each day before and after school. According to my grandfather, the knife was "over 25 years old" in '59. It is extremely sharp. I have tried to keep the blades clean by an occassional wipe down with a Flitz cloth and oil. It isn't perfect but it was bought to be used. KA-BARS were my grandpa's favorite and I guess their mine too, but I like 'em all. This knife could tell alot stories.

Loosenock
 

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Loosenock, that's an absolutely beautiful old KA-BAR! Looks to have been made in the 1920's or perhaps even earlier. In great shape, too, especially after being actually USED for all those years! You and your grandfather took good care of it.
The bone handles on these big old KA-BARs have the most beautiful jigging I've ever seen on an American production knife! That's one reason they're so expensive these days :(
John.
 
loosenock,
I truly love Kabar Dog Head knives. You have a real beauty there.
Since I could never afford the originals I tried to buy every Dog Head the Kabar collectors club put out. To bad the club went belly up.
Good Collecting !
Jocko
 
The trapper is not my favorite pattern, but I would be proud to have one of those. Very nice knife.
 
Thanks for the nice comments. I have attached a picture of the tang markings. It is KA-BAR/REG. U.S. Pat. off. I would be interested if anyone could tell me about the time it was made. I dont know if my grandfather bought it new or from someone. I know he bought it during the depression. He traveled to Colorado to trap and prospect for gold in the early '30's and I think he had for that adventure.

Loosenock
 

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Hi,

The references I have list that marking in use from 1923-1951. Mr.Levine list's in his guide book that one of the first large trapper pattern's was introduced in late 1922, by Remington, with Ka-Bar/Union quickly following suit.

May be if you posted if you posted in his forum, he could narrow it down futher:).

Great knife, great story:D:).
 
Thanks for posting it. Beautiful Dog's Head.
 
I just love it when someone comes along with a knife story
like this to prove that you don't need wonder knives to DO
things with;)

Very nice knife mate with some good memories:D
 
Loosenock -- great post, great pic ! Reminds me of the knives that got me excited when I started collecting. Tho I've kind of changed directions in my collecting, I still get a kick out of knives and stories like yours. Bet that one never leaves your collection !!
BTW, are you going to Tanner this weekend? If you go, please bring that beauty with you, I'd love to see it. I'll be at Lee Beene's table Saturday.
MtMike
Pikes Peak Country
:)
 
Mike, I will be going to the Tanner this weekend. I normally get there at 9:00 am on Saturday and leave about 10:30. I dont know who Lee is. I would be more than happy to show you the knife if we find each other. I'm 55, some say I look like Wilfred Brimley others say Teddy Roosevelt, probablely in between. I have more hair than both those guys put together though. LOL..... See you Saturday.

Loosenock
 
Loosenock -- ask for Lee Beene (or Jesse Beene) at the info center on the way in. He's got a real nice display, usually 4 tables with folding glass cases, all knives, no guns.
I'll be the tall guy with the Navy ballcap, Magnum PI with a goatee.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Mike:D
 
Great old knife Loosenock.., and thanks for the history.., makes it lots more fun to have the stories that go with the knives....


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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