We are sorry. Due to labor issues, Kinfolks was closed in 1957, with another cousin, Emerson Case, continuing production of the brand under Robeson Cutlery in Perry, New York, until 1965. Of course, the safety razor was soon to make the old cut-throats obsolete, and the Marbles fuller became more of a trademark than a design feature. If you have one of such knives, follow the guide above to narrow down the date or era as much as you can. In most of the places that Ive come across a Klein knife, it was either a military electricians knife or for another handyman. The knife is 14 5/8" in overall length, with the instantly recognizable 9 " clip point Bowie blade. $200.00 $10.20 shipping 12 watching Antique 1925-1948 Knife Kinfolks Fixed Blade With Original Leather Sheath Rare $195.00 $9.85 shipping or Best Offer WW2 Kinfolks USA Mk 1 Commando Combat Bowie Knife $129.99 The Case has two variations which are the details in the casting of the pommel. Certainly the Camillus and the Westerns are just finished bright, I've never seen any examples that were plated, (only referring to the 5in knives here). I have noticed over the past two or so years that the prices of decent WW2 knives on ebay have more than doubled what I was paying back in 2016 and earlier. THX SKIP. How yours ended up in navy hands is anyone's guess. It is knives like these that make some people on the outside question why Case knives are so expensive when they are just a great value for their money. 4 bids. CASE has one other variation only prevalent at end of the pommel. A German himself, and having spent enough time in the U.S.A. to know the market landscape, this business venture was not difficult for him. Thank you for your interesting post. Also note the top two with brass guards are with and without brass spacers. No encontramos nenhuma resenha nos lugares comuns. There are variations within each manufacturer. I know my knives - maybe not as well as my mother - but enough to write helpful guides for you. But there are clever reproductions that can fool you into thinking its the real thing. Klein knives are clear vintages, and theyre one of those knives that went to the war. Danny. Search our products for it! If you happen to have, Read More How to Date A Case Kodiak Knife by Yourself (Expert Advice)Continue, Do you have a knife that you want to have sold? Re: Kinfolks identification Post by Leo7504 Thu Oct 27, 2022 1:15 am I obtained access to that Kinfolks book and the 1939 Catalog describes a Model 925 with a 5 in blood groove blade,heavy back and keen edge, double non-slip guard and extra long indestructible handle, length overall to 9 1/2 inches. and do not appear to have been used! Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. However, that should not deter you from knowing when your knife was probably made. Marble almost singlehandedly turned the hunting knife into a must-have piece of outdoor gear for the well-turned-out sportsman. Just $1 per month , The history of Marbles knives and their impact on outdoor cutlery for the last 120 years, By KINFOLKS USA 1925- 40's RARE PERFECT BONE VINTAGE KNIFE $104.99 $5.55 shipping Vintage Kinfolks 330 And 333 double knife set with Sheath . I know that Case was plating some of their knives as early as the 1930's and marketing them as corrosion resistant. A beautiful little village in a largely agricultural area. It came from the estate of a Navy aircraft mechanic on a carrier, but no other information about it. No matter which it is, there are a series of reasons why you might, Read More How to Determine the Value of a Knife (Vintage, Antiques & Collectibles)Continue, Your email address will not be published. The book does not just contain biographies of the companies founders but also comes with up to four catalogs to aid your dating. I believe youre more interested in dating the vintage ones, though, so the other era guides on that list are best suited to your needs. The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. From then until 1965, Robeson produced Kinfolks brand knives in addition to its regular line, using many of the same features and handle material. He spent the past 20 years as a woodworker and fishing guide in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Tennessee. This was a straight-backed, sheath knife with a slight clip-on, flat ground blade that swept to the point at the very end. The table below shows you different tang stamp designs and when they were circulated.Tang StampDescriptionYear/ Era3-line arch stamp1902-19154-line straight stamp with yearFeatures year of manufacture3-line straight stamp1916 the 1930s4-line straight stampThe 1930s mid-19453-line; non-italic fonts; short underline1946 19503-line; non-italic, full underline; no dots (USA., not U.S.A.)1960 the 1970s3-line stamp; full underline; dotted U.S.A.; italicsThe 1970s 1980s3-line stamp; dotted U.S.A.; mixed caps1989 2007Camillus Knife Tang Stamps and their Eras. Didn't know they were filled that way. Marbles next gift to the sporting cutlery world was the Expert sheath knife (5- and 6-inch blade lengths), introduced in 1906. To see this page as it is meant to appear, please enable your Javascript! Robeson continued to make knives until 1965, the year that Emerson Case . Does the one you mention have the colored spacers at each end of the grip like the ones you illustrate? Most period cutlery companies also produced close copies of the Ideal for use as survival knives in the various branches of the armed forces. In the years after the Civil War, hunting knives tended to follow one of three patternsheavy-duty folders, traditional Bowie knives, and small utilitarian butchering type blades. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well as biographies of Kinfolks founders: Russ Case, Tint Champlin, and Dean Case. This was a straight-backed, sheath knife with a slight . Gary I wonder if your knife is a transitional example were the fullered blade transforms into the saber grind variety more like the Mark1. The Expert. They also sometimes referred to the blade or overall knife material which is equally helpful in narrowing down the years. US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY Before WWII, the Woodcraft saw the most attention from competitors. After more than two decades (1897) in this business, importation costs for the knives were getting higher and wiping out Adolphs profits. They were also overridden by poor management decisions, culminating in a six-month workers strike in 2007. by knifeaholic Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:39 pm. The company closed shop in the 1950s and they have since been resurrected in other capacities. However, that beauty does come with some challenges in telling the exact era that the knife is from. One of the most interesting things about this company is that they were founded in Little Valley, New York. March 26, 2014 in EDGED WEAPONS. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identication and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well as biographies of Kinfolks founders: Russ Case, Tint Champlin, and Dean Case. Kinfolks Knives - Dean Elliott Case 2010-09 Kinfolks Knives oers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Still,, Read More How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods)Continue. We work hard to protect your security and privacy. H. Clay Aalders is a lifelong edged tool user. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As usual Dustin, a fine writeup on a field often overlooked by collectors. Thank you for sharing. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well as biographies of Kinfolks founders: Russ Case, Tint Champlin, and Dean Case. The Story Behind America's First Hunting Knife | Field & Stream ${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}. . Interesting,educational,and nice knives too. Fortunately, we dont have that with Kinfolks, but there is a unique issue. I have written different guides on how to date different knives to a specific era but this one is different. It maybe that some knives with the chrome plating were used to fill orders, but I just don't know. Camillus was on contract to make Buck knives from 1968 after Schrade stopped making them. Overall very cool ID'd item, The sheaths were indeed a sub-contracted item manufactured by Mosser Leather , however made to AAF specifications. Kinfolks Knives : A History of Cutlery and Cousins - Google Books The Camillus knives went to the war (WWI & WWII), was handcrafted for some presidents, and lived more than 100 years before the company shut down. You just think these companies would be in cities. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well as biographies of Kinfolks founders: Russ Case, Tint Champlin, and Dean Case. Id rather give up now than give you a piece of misleading information anyway. Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. With decades of experience under his belt, Adolph spearheaded the growth and expansion of the Camillus knife company into what we know it as today. Some say it was the millions of knives produced by other companies for the war effort that doomed Marbles in the long run. The sheath has been stamped U S N but again I don't know by who or when. Kinfolks used to mark their knife blades, and those markings helped tell what era the knives came from. Of course, they were sharp and most of them are older than us, but that doesnt mean we lost interest. Marble's next gift to the sporting cutlery world was the Expert sheath knife (5- and 6-inch blade lengths), introduced in 1906. Marbles actually made very few knives during the war as they were given contracts for other needed equipment. If you do, that might be the last time you see that fine blade. Pictured are the 5 principle pattern types and manufacturers for the USAAF. While guiding in Idaho, Clay worked part-time writing for a local newspaper, and upon moving to Tennessee began writing for the blog The Truth About Knives - spending his last 5 years there as Managing Editor. His background is in fixed-blade hunting and bushcraft knives, but has jumped into the world of vintage slipjoint collecting with both feet since coming to work at Knife Magazine. WOW! But that changed at the start of the war with the adoption of the legendary USMC Fighting/Utilitya knife that was basically a militarized version of a Marbles Ideal. I know Camillus had the one style sheath for 5"knives that seems to be unique to them, but I kind of wonder if sheaths weren't generally a sub-contracted item and often shared between different manufactures. It's easy! Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications. They show only very minor age/handling related wear, surface scratches, etc. My guesstimate would be about 1925(IIRC the founding year for Kinfolks, but I could be wrong) up to WWII. To add the following enhancements to your purchase, choose a different seller. KINFOLKS DOUBLE SET KNIFE BUTTERSCOTCH AMBER PLUS UNMARKED BIRD AND TROUT. Otherwise, have someone who does. Unfortunately I was unable to obtain any other items related to his service as they had been bought by an antiques dealer and sold prior to my getting the knife. Certainly Western didn't have facilities to make sheaths in factory before the 50's. Where neither is possible, its best to stay away. by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:39 pm, Post In that case, this book is also a good investment. The CASE 322-5 are suppose to have plated finished blades. He felt the proper grip when field dressing was to choke up on the handle with the base of the blade between your fingers. Dustin, thanks for the information about my third pattern knife. excellent! $6.30 shipping. I have no idea how it ended up in the hands of an aircraft mechanic on an aircraft carrier. These fakes are even made with materials that age fast, tricking you into thinking that the knife has indeed seen a lot of years. The knife you have is the third pattern manufactured under amendment 5679 L36A eliminating the aluminum pommel replacing it with a Resinox plastic type and eliminating the spacers to reduce cost making this model a late war expedited lower costing knife. The knife was obtained from his family and they stated to the best of their knowledge it had been stored with his memorabilia since he returned in 1946. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well as biographies of . They're not like the other vintage war knives I've dated because they're not fighting knives. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. These RARE KINFOLKS Y330 & Y333 Fixed Blade Sabre Ground Hunter Knives w/Original Tooled Leather Sheath are in EXCELLENT overall vintage condition! This American heritage contributes to the high-value craftsmanship and quality control that ships with these knives. View cart for details. SKIP. One of the most common models today has the 568 TC USA marking on its blade. Suggestions, Questions, Comments, Concerns, Alerts, Etc Member Store Tips, Tricks & Instructions, https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/btrwtr. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. is intended to be the most accurate history of the cutlery compiled to date. 5" Air Corps Knives - EDGED WEAPONS - U.S. Militaria Forum Although a part of the Case knives family, Kinfolks knives didnt have a long run in the market. In 1962, the design was shortened to 5-inches to make it easier to carry inside aircraft cockpits. The mystery of the Jean Case Cutlery Company is at last explained, and many family photographs and recipes are included. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . Literally founded by kin cousins Dean and Russ Case, and Tint Champlin the venture was to help W.R. Case & Sons and Cattaraugus Cutlery meet production demands for fixed-blade knives. Knife Dating Archives - Cuts & Carves The brand started using tang stamps early enough, making it easy to tell the age of a Camillus knife. That must not have been a very good marketing strategy as the cautions against hard use were soon dropped from their advertising. Then came Webster Marble. Total Production: 2,469,956. It's easy! Kinfolks Founded by Dean Case, Russ Case and Tint Champlin Little Valley, New York 1925-1957 Literally founded by kin - cousins Dean and Russ Case, and Tint Champlin - the venture was to help W.R. Case & Sons and Cattaraugus Cutlery meet production demands for fixed-blade knives. After decades of feuding and parting ways to start yet another Case-related cutlery, Kinfolks saw three cousins come together to help one another. This is an interesting if somewhat fragmented collection of recollections from people who have a direct family connection to the Case Knife company and the companies that came and went before it. Kinfolks Knives: A History of Cutlery and Cousins - amazon.com However, the Case dating system also adds to the appeal and collectibility because the knives can be easily identified and dated. The originals stopped being made such a long time ago that the catalogs and materials to identify them might have all gotten lost, or might be unreliable. The company got a short reprieve in 1957 when its survival knife design was selected for use by all Air Force and Navy pilots. Way cool! Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Required fields are marked *. by XX Case XX Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:38 pm, Post Some shady knife enthusiasts might want to get the knife from you at a steal price or in a swap deal for something else. An area I have not as yet delved into. $9.85 shipping. Adolph Kastor immigrated to the U.S.A. when he was 14 and worked in his uncles hardware company. If you are a Case Knife collector this is more the backstory on the people who built the companies that made the products and less about the specifics on any era of knives. Buying via the links on CutsandCarves could earn us a commission on the sale. The Expert would also seem to be perfect for the needs of modern bushcrafters. Also pictured is the AAC procured pattern 5665 with stag and rosewood handles. In 1958, Robeson purchased Kinfolks Inc of Little Valley, New York, which just happened to be Emerson Cases former employer. If you, Read More How to Date a Kissing Crane Knife (Both Old and New)Continue, Klein knives are clear vintages, and theyre one of those knives that went to the war. Correct Kinfolks marked sheath, lightly sharpened condition, guard and leather washers very tight. Thanks for showing, once again learned something. Kinfolks Knives: A History of Cutlery and Cousins Its now rare to find a Marbles pattern hunter in any of the major cutlery lines. If you happen to have, Read More How to Date A Case Kodiak Knife by Yourself (Expert Advice)Continue, Do you have a knife that you want to have sold? Marbles pattern sheath knives ruled the market for decades, but the introduction of the Buck 110 lockback design in 1965 was a turning point. Originally, the deep fuller was intended to allow the blade to be laid flat on a hone and sharpened something like a straight razor. I posted the lower knife on another thread from Gary recently. Kinfolk Collectible Vintage Fixed Blade Knives. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. They, along with many other companies, also suffered when men in the company joined the war effort by enlisting even when they were deferred with required jobs at a cutlery as a specialized skill. I presume the stamp USN was added by the individual as personal enhancement. Save big on firearms, accessories, tactical gear, clothing, and ammunition from now until March 29. They also made some pocket knives but most were belt knives. I think the album link, vs a picture link . Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. My guesstimate would be about 1925 (IIRC the founding year for Kinfolks, but I could be wrong) up to WWII. #1 Check the Tang Stamps This is usually where I first look at when dating knives. Part of the great thing about knives is the variety and variation. At the end of the war, the decision to ramp up capacity paid off as Camillus could now make its knives and still churn others out under contract. The wide, upswept, 4--inch, flat-ground blade was his version of the perfect big game and trapping knife. And a final rant about the place we all love to hate. The only known production number from . All that can contribute to making it harder to know when these knives came from. by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:59 pm, Post Imperial Knife Company: 917,894 Kinfolks, Inc: 119,702 Pal Blade Company: 268,000 Utica Cutlery Company: 515,000. Marble tended to know his customers well, and if he thought a double guard would sell better than a single, then that was the way it was going to be. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/200448-questions-on-a-bright-blade-camillus-mark-1/. Information and photo provided by Brad Lockwood and Dean E. Case. Blades: CLIP, SPEY AND SHEEPFOOT Length Closed: 4 1/4 MFG List: $102.70 Our Price: $69.99 Limited . Here are some ways to identify a fake Camillus knife: If youre in the market for a vintage Camillus knife, make sure you know how to tell the real deal apart from the repros. This guide to dating Camillus knives is focused on the Camillus-stamped knives only. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . If you have already guessed from the name, this company was founded by entrepreneurs who were related to one another. I purchased 2 books to give as a gift to some of the men in my family. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Although I don't seriously collect knives I do have a small collection of Camillus sheath knives. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . Your email address will not be published. Great information on a very overlooked fighting knife. $49.99. This article appears in the July 2021 issue of KNIFE Magazine. Early Ideals all came with a small, practical single handguard on the edge side of the blade, but for some reason, a less useful double guard replaced this in a few years. The two with fullers or blood grooves are the known AAF procured types. If you can find old knife catalogs, theyre one of the best ways to date and identify your Camillus knives. The model 380 was one of the most popular. Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2011. or Best Offer. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well.