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- Oct 23, 2006
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I recently got an old Ulster Knife Co. teardrop jack in rough shape, but I'm very impressed with the quality. What are some other good old brands that aren't well known?
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Some of the very well known names coming up as "less known" is maybe a sign of our times. I suppose all old knives are less known now. A book like Levine's Guide to Knives and Their Values 4th Edition would answer most questions.
When buying old knives, condition is definitely going to be the most important factor. Lots of old knives have been used up. There are also lots of fakes and reworks. And a large majority of them have been buffed until they look like half melted ice cubes. Look at lots of good examples (there are far more bad examples than good examples) so that you know how to differentiate legitimate old knives from fakes and reworks and buffed knives. Learn to identify crocus and glaze finishes. Look at old catalogs. And ask specific questions in Levine's ID forum or here in the Traditionals section.
Some WELL KNOWN high quality manufacturers of old knives that come to mind are Winchester/EC Simmons, Miller Bros, etc. Generalizations can be misleading. Looking only at brand name would be a mistake. One of the many reasons that it is a mistake is that names changed hands. As one example, New York Knife Company's Hammer Brand is completely different than Imperial's Hammer Brand. The biggest reason to look further than the brand is that there are a LOT of fakes and reworks. Also, even a well made old knife can become a junker after 60-100 years of use. Probably the simplest thing to do is to look for old knives that are in good condition. That will narrow things down a LOT!
Here's another nice old Ulster.
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That is the same search I have been on lately... [My opinion] We are really down to Case and GEC in the U.S. Buck does still have a handful but folks are not crazy about the 420HC these days. Ulster, Queen, and Bear have what I would call economy class knives today. With the dwindling away of traditional makers over the last 15 years, it has forced me (as a dealer) to look hard for that niche of nice traditional patterns made by a country friendly to the U.S.
That is the same search I have been on lately... [My opinion] We are really down to Case and GEC in the U.S. Buck does still have a handful but folks are not crazy about the 420HC these days. Ulster, Queen, and Bear have what I would call economy class knives today. With the dwindling away of traditional makers over the last 15 years, it has forced me (as a dealer) to look hard for that niche of nice traditional patterns made by a country friendly to the U.S.
greetings, not trying to stir the nest but you mentioned case, is their stainless not the equivalent to buck's 420 except where heat treating is concerned.
simply asking
Troy
An interesting pair of comments.
Case Tru-Sharp is 420HC, though it is not hardened to as high a Rockwell as Buck hardens theirs. But Case also offers CV. And there is a large contingent of traditional pocket knife folk who crave non-stainless.
My own opinion on the lesser focus on Buck traditional pocket knives is that Buck has only a few patterns they make in the US. IMO they best working knives available today due to their heat treat, unique blade profile, and overall robust design. But with only four patterns, stainless only, and limited choice of covers, they have limited appeal to collectors and knife knuts.
That is the same search I have been on lately... [My opinion] We are really down to Case and GEC in the U.S. Buck does still have a handful but folks are not crazy about the 420HC these days. Ulster, Queen, and Bear have what I would call economy class knives today. With the dwindling away of traditional makers over the last 15 years, it has forced me (as a dealer) to look hard for that niche of nice traditional patterns made by a country friendly to the U.S.
greetings, not trying to stir the nest but you mentioned case, is their stainless not the equivalent to buck's 420 except where heat treating is concerned.
simply asking
Troy
Do you mind sharing which models those are?
Buck makes the 301, 303, 305, 309 and the limited 310 in the USA. Those are all stock knives and pen knives. They also make the 110 and 112 folding hunters in the USA... there may be more models of the folding hunters but I don't know them all off the top of my head. If I recall correctly, they list the country of origin for each knife on their website.
Mike, I thought Ulster was long gone. Did you mean Utica/Kutmaster?
pholder, I can't speak for Mike but my impression is that he meant that folks (especially enthusiasts) don't get as excited about TruSharp or 420HC as other stainless steels.
Mike, have you looked at the Tuna Valley knives? I believe they are sold by the Daniels exclusively, I'm not sure how much of a return you would get on them, but for personal collection, they are pretty well made. Nicest scout knife I have seen.
I would 2nd this. I've got a few different Tuna Valley's and they are all very high quality. Although they are not old, the name was only revived since 2009. I would say they are equivalent quality to the Case/Bose collaborations.