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Help with info on walden knife co. Any info or links to other posts would be appreciated. Guess I don't know how to navigate the site yet. Can't seem to get to specific posts on the subject.
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Walden knife co
- Thread starter james counsellor
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lambertiana
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If you are talking about the old Walden Knife Co, it was founded in 1870 (supposedly be former New York Knife Co employees) as the Walden Co-Operative Knife Co, with 18 employees. In 1874 they changed to a stock company. In 1893, George Schrade moved his Press Button Knife Co to Walden, and his knives were made in the Walden plant. In 1903, Walden Knife Co bought the patent and Schrade's interest in the Push Button Knife.
In 1911, EC Simmons Hardware Co bought Walden Knife Co. In 1922, they merged with Winchester, and Winchester ran the plant until 1923, when it was liquidated. The equipment was moved to New Haven, CT, and the buildings were sold to Schrade Cutlery Co.
Employment in 1883 was 125 workers, and over 200 in 1891. In 1911, over 600 employees worked for Walden, and they were the largest producer of pocketknives in the world at that time. Given the scarcity of Walden-marked knives, I would bet that a large portion of their production was contract work (EC Simmons being just one of many brands).
In 1911, EC Simmons Hardware Co bought Walden Knife Co. In 1922, they merged with Winchester, and Winchester ran the plant until 1923, when it was liquidated. The equipment was moved to New Haven, CT, and the buildings were sold to Schrade Cutlery Co.
Employment in 1883 was 125 workers, and over 200 in 1891. In 1911, over 600 employees worked for Walden, and they were the largest producer of pocketknives in the world at that time. Given the scarcity of Walden-marked knives, I would bet that a large portion of their production was contract work (EC Simmons being just one of many brands).
Very interesting information, I had never heard of the Walden Knife Company before. Now, I will have to dig out my old copy of "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau to check how many times knives are mentioned. Unfortunately, Thoreau was not around in 1870 to purchase a Walden Knife Co. knife and to use it to sharpen the pencils that his family did make - but the thought makes for an interesting mental image.
- Joined
- May 24, 2012
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Thank you for the info. I won a walden jack knife on an auction site today. I'm trying to find some reference material to determine blade ware. I have material on other manufacturers such as NYK co, ulster and schrade but none for walden. Have gathered some pics but having trouble finding some on this forum. Maybe I'm searching incorrectly. Thanks again