Why are these Western Cutlery Knives Vin. 1980 so pricey?

I think just cause USA made and I don't think they are made anymore. Classic patterns too. I have often wondered the same thing about Rigid brand knives. I remember owning a fixed blade years ago and I gotta tell ya the knife was not that great at all. Not by a long shot. But whatever people are willing to pay is what they are willing to pay. keepem sharp
 
I just sold off all my Rigids in favor of carbon steel blades that held an edge longer.
 
They were made by Camillus before it closed. Anything remotely connected to Camillus has skyrocketed in "value" over the last couple of years. For no good reason to be honest. Yes, they were one of the great american cultery companies, but they did so much OEM work (really the backbone of their business) that they really didn't focus on their brand enough to make it collectible. Their stuff was decent quality, but not close to a premium quality knife, IMO.

Take the Becker Knife and Tool line. The Camillus produced ones command a SERIOUS premium now. I can kind of see it on a couple of models that aren't in production now and were very limited production, but it's still crazy.

The current Kabar produced knives are so superior in every way that it isn't fair to compare them.
 
cramsey3006 said:
They were made by Camillus before it closed. Anything remotely connected to Camillus has skyrocketed in "value" over the last couple of years. For no good reason to be honest. Yes, they were one of the great american cultery companies, but they did so much OEM work (really the backbone of their business) that they really didn't focus on their brand enough to make it collectible. Their stuff was decent quality, but not close to a premium quality knife, IMO.

Take the Becker Knife and Tool line. The Camillus produced ones command a SERIOUS premium now. I can kind of see it on a couple of models that aren't in production now and were very limited production, but it's still crazy.

The current Kabar produced knives are so superior in every way that it isn't fair to compare them.
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So would you say that a 70's-80's Schrades has better steel than 80's Westerns? A custom knife is way out of my price range before anyone asks. :rolleyes:
I have been out looking for used Schrade Fixed blades as we speak for hunting only. I'm not a collector.
 
This what I would like to replace it with. SCHRADE/U.S.A. 171UH

XX171UH1973.jpg
 
I have a western cutlery bowie and the fit and finish are really amazing. The western blade in the link is a rare knife in perfect condition and becoming hard to find. If you collect classic cutlery due to both nostalgia and rarity these blades are highly sought after. Its like American muscle cars not quite up to par with the technology and quality of today's motor vehicles from say Italy or Germany but still highly sought after and valuable. Someday in the future you may feel the same way about current model knives when light sabers are available. LOL!
 
They actually would have the same steel. Schrade and Camillus both used 440A in their stainless knives, unless otherwise marked. Both companies used 1095 high carbon in their non-stainless knives.

I've take any of the Schrade's from that era in a heart beat, over any 80's era Western in stainless. I'm not a big stainless fan.

I think that 70's/80's Schrades overall quality is better than the 80's Western knives by far. They were pretty bullet proof.

That 171 is a sweet blade, but a little big for my tastes in a hunting knife. It would be a good camp/survival knife.

I'd go with the Old Timer Woodsman 165OT, the Mountain Lion 160OT, or the Golden Spike UH153. The old standby Sharpfinger 152OT is also a good one, along with the Deerhunter 150OT.
 
cramsey3006 said:
They actually would have the same steel. Schrade and Camillus both used 440A in their stainless knives, unless otherwise marked. Both companies used 1095 high carbon in their non-stainless knives.

I've take any of the Schrade's from that era in a heart beat, over any 80's era Western in stainless. I'm not a big stainless fan.

I think that 70's/80's Schrades overall quality is better than the 80's Western knives by far. They were pretty bullet proof.

That 171 is a sweet blade, but a little big for my tastes in a hunting knife. It would be a good camp/survival knife.

I'd go with the Old Timer Woodsman 165OT, the Mountain Lion 160OT, or the Golden Spike UH153. The old standby Sharpfinger 152OT is also a good one, along with the Deerhunter 150OT.
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Yea your right. My Western is high carbon steel. It's a tad on the big side for hunting hence it's never has been used.
 
audiboy711 said:
I have a western cutlery bowie and the fit and finish are really amazing. The western blade in the link is a rare knife in perfect condition and becoming hard to find. If you collect classic cutlery due to both nostalgia and rarity these blades are highly sought after. Its like American muscle cars not quite up to par with the technology and quality of today's motor vehicles from say Italy or Germany but still highly sought after and valuable. Someday in the future you may feel the same way about current model knives when light sabers are available. LOL!
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I don't consider a knife from the 80's as a "vintage" knife. My dad has the exact same knife as the one in the link, except he carried his in Vietnam in the late 60's/early 70's.. I consider that one vintage. :thumbup:
 
cramsey3006 said:
I don't consider a knife from the 80's as a "vintage" knife. My dad has the exact same knife as the one in the link, except he carried his in Vietnam in the late 60's/early 70's.. I consider that one vintage. :thumbup:
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See what you mean. I still get my senior discount though right? lol
 
The one like mine just closed at $270.00. Holy Smokes. My sheath don't look that good a shape though after being in the vault for umpteen years.
 
I have one of those, no box though. Bought it out of the display case, lady had to cut the wires holding it in place. Still has the dents in the sheath. Don't plan on selling it any time soon.
 
Western was sold to Coleman in 1984 and then to Camillus in 1991. I think any Western knife made in the early 1980's and before will command a higher price from collectors.
 
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Who was making the knives for Coleman? I don't think they ever produced knives. I'm betting it was Camillus, and when Coleman wanted to sell, Camillus bought the brand name.
 
cramsey3006 said:
Who was making the knives for Coleman? I don't think they ever produced knives. I'm betting it was Camillus, and when Coleman wanted to sell, Camillus bought the brand name.
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I think the same facilities were used while Coleman owned them and alot of the same knives/patterns were continued along with some new knives like this.
516smalllockblade.jpg
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