Who made the knife??

waynorth

waynorth

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Nov 19, 2005
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To all you collectors of old knives, you probably know that many knives were contracted back and forth between cutleries. And knives were also made for various hardware companies and other wholesalers and retailers. Do you have any good examples in your collection that you can compare to show the "DNA" of a knife??
Here is a picture of a Schrade and a Keen Kutter side by side, that shows a pretty close resemblance. The KK is worn, but I think the original blade shape is strongly suggested by its Schrade brother! Please post your comments, and some picures too, if you can!!
SchrKeenPair.jpg
 
One more pair. These two Harness Jacks were probably made by Robeson, even though one is stamped Globe Cut Co. This is an even more obvious match than the previous one IMO :D
whomade1.jpg
 
waynorth,It is such a coincidence,this thread.I just got off the phone,a half hour ago,with a good knife buddy.We were looking at oldies,on the "Bay",and I commented on "How do you know,who made what?" Definately a science of it's own,these old knives.Very cool thread,I may also add!Nice knives ,too!
 
I don't have any pairs like that, but I know what you are talking about. I see many examples of contracted knives, obvious because of construction or jigging pattern. For example, sometimes you will see a contract brand that has the very distinct NYKC jigging, or a patented tool (punches being the most common). Of course, it is possible that another manufacturer made the contract brand with a licensed punch from someone else, but I think a patented punch in a contract brand usually indicates who made it. Sometimes I will see a knife on ebay that looks like an identical twin to one that I have, and it has a different tang stamp.
 
I am a big fan of old contract knives. I have about a dozen or so. Waynorth, Since you are showing off harness jacks I would love to see your Buhl Sons one, since it fits right in with this subject. I picked up a Buhl stockman last week but can't figure out who made it. It just doesn't look like a New York Knife product like the other Buhl's I have.
 
waynorth,

~ ><> ~ Harness Jacks... right?!:eek:

~ ><> ~ Damn son, I haven't seen one of these beauty's in like forever!:thumbup:

~ ><> ~ VERY Nice Photography.

~ ><> ~ Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
 
Here you go Rivit. The punch is typical of Napanoch, and their Winchester successors. I wish I had a Napanoch to compare.
buhlsonsco.jpg

buhlsonscotang.jpg
 
More HJs for you sunnyd, and comparos for lambertiana et. al. Here are some more, not side by side, but some of you will see the comparisons. A Keen Kutter, which may be a Schrade, and an OVB, which most agree is a New York Knife.
Advertisingpays.jpg
 
Got some Harness Jacks (and others ;) ) by Klaas Company (Kissing Cranes), Solingen, Germany.
Some stamps show the Kissing Cranes and Solingen, some for export show the Kissing Cranes and Germany, some have Robert Klaas, Solingen on the blades and some are unmarked.
I was told by a Klaas employee that the unmarked knives were made by order of other companies!
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2309&d=1145038746
 
Here are two interesting brands, Hudson's Bay, and W.D.Herbert. These knives are virtually identical, and are NOT marked Germany like some of the W.D.Herberts are (maybe 50% of them). If anyone knows who made them, I'd sure like to know. Please share your knowledge with me. Sorry I can't find the full pic of the W.D.Herbert.
HUDSONSBAYHJCOMPOSITE.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e56/wunorth/HBCWDHCOMPARO2.jpg
Both pics won't post at the same time, so click above here for the tang stamp comparison.
 
Charlie,
These are really great knives. I remember that it was just this very pattern that I traded my best friend for, many, many moons ago back in Virginia in the late 1960's. I traded him a small stockman and I was the recepient of what he called a Farmers Jack also known as a Harness Jack. I was very happy to have recieved it because I was working on a leather holster at the time and very much needed the awl tool to punch holes on the seams for leather lace stitching in..(sigh) ..much simpler times.:yawn: :thumbup:

I'm sorry I don't have any information about them,, I wish I did!
 
I just unpacked my scanner so I figure I will put up some contract knives. Here are some I believe are NYKC made. Top on is W.M. Enders (Oak Leaf)
the other 2 are Buhl Sonshttp://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a66/danmcclain/?action=view&current=contract.jpg . I am not really sure about the stockman bein NYKC. These two are a bit newer, The Primble I believe is by Schrade and the Clauss is an obvious Case product.http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a66/danmcclain/?action=view&current=contract2.jpg .I added a bunch of new knife pics today and while they are not near the quality of the ones Waynorth is posting, everyone should feel free to browse through and let me know what you think.
- Dan
 
You are right mp510. New York Knife Company used that punch quite often. The OVB was made by NYK.
 
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