Western pocket knives,I 'm really suprised

O

olddogdakota

Joined
Mar 10, 2006
Messages
52
not to see more people collecting westerns,
they were such a good pocket knives (pre coleman)and had
alot of models,If any body would like to know history of
the cutlery business find the book
(knife makers that went west) by harvey platts
it gives ya alot of history about knife companys
great book,lots of pictures
thanks jim chambers
arizonie@msn.com
 
Well, I think the problem, or at least part of it. They were never very popular in the east. Aside form the fact that they were about the same quality as schrade and other brands making the same patterns, etc. Ive owned some over the years and they are decent knives, but nothing to write home about. When camillus bought them out, it certainly did nothing to improve their popularity (or lack of). I did own some of the coleman made ones also, and they were okay, but not "memorable". Now the older ones you are talking about, I do know. They were good knives, but they had to compete with all the already established cutleries. I do know though, they were popular out west (where they were made in colorado).
 
Western's fixed blades and their Boy Scout fixed blades are collected by some people as well as Western advertisments. I've seen for sale at more than a few knife shows. There is at least one book out on their history, maybe more. There is no interest in the Camm/Coleman Western knives other than as users.

I have a fixed blade boy scout, with carbon steel blade and leather washer handle that I bought when I was 12 and have heavily abused. It's still in great shape, even after an attack of mold. The flat grind and thin edge make it an excellent camp knife. Being full tang, with the half washer construction, it'll also take the punishment of being thrown.
 
Westerns were well built knives, but they didn't have a real claim to fame other than plentiful polishing that tended to smear stamps. Most of the fixed blades I've encountered used stacked leather washers or oddly squared off stag or celluloid handles. They seemed to resist the change to stainless, although that probably made sense with some of the problems of the early stainless alloys.

Good, solid specimens but nothing to inspire passion.
 
I have a couple of older Boulder knives (I'm also a poet---not!) and i think they are great, nicely made and fitted, fancy etching on the blades. But the newer ones I've seen, are pretty ordinary, not interesting at all, to me anyway.
 
The fixd blades are real popular here in w Pa. Or should say were. Just about any gunshow, fleamarket, etc ya go you you will find one or 2. I have prolly 15-20 . Problem is, finding the onsthat haven't'been drug across a bench grinder.
The folders are another story. I believe they weren't sold east of the Mississippi till the fifties. I'd have to double-check the book. Which, btw, is a good read. bruce
 
Here's a picture of a Western, Boulder Colo. Harness Jack. Hope you can see the etch!
 

Attachments

  • WESTERN STATES CATTLE.jpg
    WESTERN STATES CATTLE.jpg
    24.6 KB · Views: 52
Right now I've got a medium Stockman (Boulder CO), in about 90+ condition, would date the knife as probably 70's. Real sharp carbon steel blades, I like it right well. I gave my valued neighbor one just like it, too.

Also have a Western ("large") boot knife that I bought in the early 80's, a "W77" IIRC. Camillus continues to produce this pattern today, although now they are finished in black rather than bright/rosewood? like I have. I had lost the knife's leather sheath years ago, but obtained a kydex sheath from Camillus that works great.

I recently bought a Remington/Camillus bootknife which is essentially a "baby" version of my Western btw. Other than the tangstamp, it's truly a perfect miniaturized version of my Western.

Both of the bootknives make a "cute" pair!!

I may well inherit my dad's well used Western hunting knife, it's not real large, rather roughly the size of my Buck Personal. Has an interesting black/silver handle. That knife has dressed pickup loads of game over the years. As I say, it's been well-used, but also well cared for. Both Dad & I are Knife Knuts of sorts...

-FNR.
 
Late 70's/early 80's Western had a real nice line of lockbacks. I have a couple and they some of my favorites. Something like this:

View attachment 54430

Two sizes, some drop point, some clip. There was a whole series with different etchings on the blades.
 
Rockshund, that black/silver hunter also was produced in red/silver. I've only seen one of them, tho.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top