Western Cutlery

thawk

thawk

Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Messages
5,978
A pair of Westerns, 651 and 652 pattern, circa 1950's, 3 3/8" jack, bone stag and pearl composition. Both have a finger notch for the California clip blade, though they hid it better on the bone handle. Single spring construction.

Please post more Westerns if you have them. Don't see too many from this Cutlery Company that originated in Boulder Colorado. Good quality knives.

Western_652_f.jpg


western_652_b.jpg


Western_651_f.jpg


Western_651_b.jpg


Western_65x_pr.jpg
 
Last edited:
I like those a lot. Especially the bone. I never paid much attention to Western while they were producing knives. I've got a Coleman, but it is relegated to my tool box. It's not much of a knife without many redeeming features. Those Westerns look great. I'm gonna have to get out to the Trade Days next weekend and lurk around. You never know what you'll find out there, but I haven't had any luck lately. Lots of Rough Riders, but not much else.

Ed
 
I have a few Westerns from the late 60's early 70's and they are fine knives. Not a big name like Case, Schrade, etc.. back then but I can find no fault with them at all. I have a couple pen knives that are 30 years old and absolutely mint!

I dug out a few and it brought back some serious memories. All but 1 one these were carried a long time.

westerns.jpg
 
Last edited:
Those are very nice Hal. I never new that Western Knives came from Colorado.
 
Thanks Steve - Those lockback hunters of yours are quite a pattern.

Western called them a 30 pattern back in the day. Westerns fixed blades and folding hunters were a big part of their business. I'd love to see a picture if anyone has an old two blader.

Corey - The Western States Cutlery & MFG Company was started in Boulder by one of the Platts brothers, H.N. Platts, who migrated there from the New England Cutlery scene in 1911. There are ties to the Case family, Cattaraugus, and Northfield.
 
I've had this knife for a long time. My dad found it in the middle of the Allegheny National Forest in Northern Pa a while ago. When I was younger I asked if I could have it ans he said yes.

The only thing I know about it is that it's made by Western Cutlery and the sheath is horrendous.

SAM_0067.jpg


SAM_0068.jpg


SAM_0072.jpg


SAM_0076.jpg


SAM_0078.jpg


Thanks for any info!
 
Those are nice ones Hal.:thumbup:

I have 6 old Western sheath knives of different patterns. Two have stacked leather handles and the rest are faux bone. I'll have to dig for the pics, but I really like them.
Almost forgot, I have an old Coleman sheath knife that was made by Western too. I got it many years ago.
 
I can tell you a bit of information about the W-36 Orion. The F under the stamp is a for dating the knife. Add 6 (A=1, B=2, C=3 etc) to 1978. So yours is approximately a 1984. It might be the same knife Steve shows.
 
These were made in 60's and 70's. the "W" stands for "wood," and they did same construction with plastics, cracked ice, red, etc.,; I don't know what kind; I think some were celluloid. Good 1095 steel. Quality knives. Some of their "staglon," in 2 jigging styles, is very nice indeed. I will try to find a pic.

late on draw. Sorry. Thanx.
 
Guess I don't know much about Westerns, but here are a couple that show two different types of Delrin jigging. I think they are kind of nice.

Westerns001.jpg
[/IMG]
 
Here is an ittybitty. Maybe six inches overall. There is a little blade loss, but not as much as you might think. If my memory serves me, when one takes the handles off these Westerns, the tang is split like a bbq or carving fork.

Westerns002.jpg
[/IMG]
 
thawk said:
I can tell you a bit of information about the W-36 Orion. The F under the stamp is a for dating the knife. Add 6 (A=1, B=2, C=3 etc) to 1978. So yours is approximately a 1984. It might be the same knife Steve shows.
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks. My dad must've found it right around the time when it was new, around 1986. It was given to me about 1996. I haven't really used it much, but my dad gutted a few deer with it before he gifted it to me.
 
tongueriver said:
Here is an ittybitty. Maybe six inches overall. There is a little blade loss, but not as much as you might think. If my memory serves me, when one takes the handles off these Westerns, the tang is split like a bbq or carving fork.

Westerns002.jpg
[/IMG]
Click to expand...

AKA bifurcated tang
3014670599_ce9a0dc23e_o.jpg
 
Orion's Belt said:
I've had this knife for a long time. My dad found it in the middle of the Allegheny National Forest in Northern Pa a while ago. When I was younger I asked if I could have it ans he said yes.

The only thing I know about it is that it's made by Western Cutlery and the sheath is horrendous.

SAM_0067.jpg


SAM_0068.jpg


SAM_0072.jpg


SAM_0076.jpg


SAM_0078.jpg


Thanks for any info!
Click to expand...

That was my Boy Scout knife when I live outside of Pittsburgh 39 years ago. They were sold locally and most of us owned one.

- David
 
tongueriver said:
Here is an ittybitty. Maybe six inches overall. There is a little blade loss, but not as much as you might think. If my memory serves me, when one takes the handles off these Westerns, the tang is split like a bbq or carving fork.

Westerns002.jpg
[/IMG]
Click to expand...

I have one of those, but mine has no blade loss other than touching up the edge.
They are small, but its one of my favorite knives

Tongue, thats a great looking hunter :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top