Utica Knives

S

Stelth

Joined
Jul 15, 2007
Messages
5,244
Most of the knives I buy are made in the U.S.A. and I thought I was familiar with all of the larger American cutlery companies. I was saddened by the closures of both Schrade and Camillus; however, I was recently surprised to learn there is still an up-state NY cutlery firm that's in business. According to their website the Utica Cutlery Company has been making knives since 1910. Perhaps they should advertise a little more. Do any of you have experience with their products? I'm more interested in their traditional offerings like stockman or barlow knives. Your impressions of their
products would be appreciated.
http://www.kutmaster.com/productline/uticacutlery/
 
Product line looks rather bland, and cheap.

rescueknifeprofile.jpg
 
A lot of the patterns seem similar to Schrade, Buck, Camillus. I might pick up a couple to check them out, the Gentleman's folder is probably "worksafe"
 
I have one of the Utica Barlows. I'd put the overall quality a bit lower than Case. The corners are a bit harsher and the springs are anemic. I've not put the edge retention of the steel to the test, yet. The bone handles are quite satisfactory, however.
 
I buy Utica knives. Upstate NY had a lot of knife companies 100 years ago. Not many now days. I want to support those few that are left.

ernie
 
at our local knife show the dealer swears that knives are still made in Utica NY. My pocket knife clearly says USA on the blade.

During the early eighties the building looked abandoned, so I started wondering. This morning I went to the local store and looked carefully. All the packages say made in China! The blades say USA.

Ernie
 
That's weird. Utica's website does say they import some knives (I'm assuming the red & blue monstrosities are imported) I don't know why the box and blade markings would differ unless it was a packaging mistake.
 
Kutmaster we know. At one time, they were inexpensive knives sold through the big chains of the period. The Utica website notes that they make house brand products. I would not expect stellar quality.

It is within the bounds of possiblity that the knives are made in the US and properly marked, but the boxes are made in China. It's also possible that they are pulling a fast one, and the USA is only part of the company's address, not an indication of origin. You'd have to know more than I do to tell which is which.
 
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