I presume the stamp USN was added by the individual as personal enhancement. The sheath has been stamped U S N but again I don't know by who or when. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. In short order, virtually every major cutlery company in the U.S., England, Germany, and Sweden began offering their own versions of Marbles most popular knives. If you do, that might be the last time you see that fine blade. Certainly Western didn't have facilities to make sheaths in factory before the 50's. Little has been written about Kinfolks Incorporated and even less has been written about their contribution to the war effort during World War II. For all that good, though, some bad actors have learned how to make fake Camillus knives and pass them off as vintage. Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2011. CASE has one other variation only prevalent at end of the pommel. Great read, with very helpful information. Also note the top two with brass guards are with and without brass spacers. Does the one you mention have the colored spacers at each end of the grip like the ones you illustrate? Then came Webster Marble. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. I know of examples of the fullered Camillus 5" knife missing the thin brass spacers too. This refers to the Flame Edge Super Hunter model which was made in the USA. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. Unfortunately for Marbles, they were quickly underbid by Camillus Cutlery on future purchases. 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. I've pretty much assumed that it is likely not a War production piece, but whether it's pre or post war I have no idea as Case used the chrome plating for a long time. He is also a contributor and Associate Editor of the print magazine. Still factory sharp! Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, its a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. I know my knives - maybe not as well as my mother - but enough to write helpful guides for you. 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. The crossguard consists of two equal length arms that extend to the left and right and are terminated with circular ends. Procure a maior eBookstore do mundo e comece a ler hoje na web, no tablet, no telefone ou eReader. Steven Dick ${cardName} not available for the seller you chose. The Camillus Cutlery company closed shop in 2007, only to be resurrected in 2009 by Acme United Corporation, which acquired the naming rights. 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. As long as the treatment passed the series of tests that were required of it it would been accepted. We dont share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. It is believed that some of these tactical knives made it to WWII but there is no concrete proof of that anywhere. Can you post a picture of the end of the pommel? Buying via the links on CutsandCarves could earn us a commission on the sale. Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2023, I like it I use it to verify the age of my knives, Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2022. Saunders knives; and a few more knives under contract. Your email address will not be published. offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. The third (bottom) one is interesting as it seems to have a fuller but barely and steel guard, Always assumed the pommels were secured like the MK1s. Dustin, thanks for the information about my third pattern knife. Thanks for showing, peaked my interest. That must not have been a very good marketing strategy as the cautions against hard use were soon dropped from their advertising. The only known production number from . Required fields are marked *. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/200448-questions-on-a-bright-blade-camillus-mark-1/. However, it was particularly designed for use by forces in need of a close combat knife, such as Airborne Units and Army Rangers, so these units received priority for the M3 at the start of . Try these methods to determine whether your Kinfolks knife is an original, or to know when it was made: One of the most comprehensive dating instructions for Kinfolks knives has been put together by Dean Elliot Case. He felt the proper grip when field dressing was to choke up on the handle with the base of the blade between your fingers. Many hunters and fisherman carried them. Your email address will not be published. $6.30 shipping. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY No matter the reason for wanting to date that blade, these methods will get you an accurate year or an era, at worst. Great information on a very overlooked fighting knife. Im not sure who made that decision as it seems like the Expert or even the Ideal would have been better for camping chores. Great knife. 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. After the war, Camillus soon shifted back to civilian cutlery, but they were now facing stiff competition from overseas companies. thorin6, We work hard to protect your security and privacy. As stated, I presume mine is a rebuild but find your comment interesting. As avaliaes no so verificadas, mas o Google confere e remove contedo falso quando ele identificado, John Brown Francis Tint Champlin 18661938, Robeson Catalog 1960 Kinfolks New Era Catalog, Cutlery College and Other Kinfolks SpinOffs, Identification and Dating of Kinfolks Knives, Frequently Asked Questions About Kinfolks Knives, Anomalies and Unsolved Mysteries of Kinfolks, Kinfolks Knives: A History of Cutlery and Cousins. Do you think that the Government would have specifically requested the chrome plating, or that the manufactures supplied them from their existing stock to fill orders? If using the mobile app, it's a lot trickier I think but then you just need to copy the link and put it into the cell when clicking the upload picture icon. I have written different guides on how to date different knives to a specific era but this one is different. 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. $49.99. This guide to dating Camillus knives is focused on the Camillus-stamped knives only. Providing rare insight into Kinfolks and the families involved in its creation and development. Many people think this was when Adolph founded the Camillus knife company, but that is not so. $274.99. Modern hunters will automatically question the length of the 3--inch handle, but this was intentional on the part of Brooks. Find out more below. As popular as the Marbles line was with outdoorsmen, it was their impact on the rest of the cutlery industry that really made a lasting impression. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2021, Kinfolks Knives: A History of Cutlery and Cousins, Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2010. From the top is the first production strait tang markings followed by the second production arced tang stamp. Tang Stamps Case has become the undisputed favorite of knife collectors for a variety of reasons including the rich heritage, quality and variety of knives. Read More How to Date a Camillus Knife Effectively (1902 2007)Continue, The Case Kodiak is one of the most interesting exports from the company and continues to command a high price today. In that case, this book is also a good investment. 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. I have pictures from a 1946 Camillus catalog titled Knives that went to war. Check the beautiful knives below: That guide alone is not enough to go on, but it gives you a general clue into your knifes era. Some say it was the millions of knives produced by other companies for the war effort that doomed Marbles in the long run. With Western being so far off in the hinterland, maybe their sheaths tend to be more unique to them. Today, they have become a favorite of collectors, so much that we are interested in dating them to know whether we have the real deal or a fake. 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. Camillus was also notorious for sometimes mixing up the tang stamps. Thank you for sharing. Picked this up at a nearby antique festival in NC. 1 bid. The Case has two variations which are the details in the casting of the pommel. Dustin- Nice collection!! Marbles actually made very few knives during the war as they were given contracts for other needed equipment. They also sometimes referred to the blade or overall knife material which is equally helpful in narrowing down the years. It maybe that some knives with the chrome plating were used to fill orders, but I just don't know. It consisted of a black horn handle secured to the tang via the use of three brass rivets. 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. Fortunately, we dont have that with Kinfolks, but there is a unique issue. 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. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. They also made some pocket knives but most were belt knives. Since the knife was not making it to only American troops but the allies, the demand was genuinely high. is intended to be the most accurate history of the cutlery compiled to date. An area I have not as yet delved into. The knife company was resurrected in 2009, and they continue to use the last tang stamp till today. However, the Case dating system also adds to the appeal and collectibility because the knives can be easily identified and dated. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. Summary of article content: Articles about Kinfolks Knives The original Kinfolks Company was a Little Valley, NY based cutlery company that was closed in 1957. Premium Online Members can read the whole thing by clicking the blue button below. Why in the world would ANYONE pay $713.00 for this book? The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Id rather give up now than give you a piece of misleading information anyway. Thanks! With these prices it will be hard for a new collector (with limited funds) to acquire nice knives in the future. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. I am immediately ordering even more books to pass on. Did Camillus Make Other Brands Knives on Contract? I purchased 2 books to give as a gift to some of the men in my family. Amazon has encountered an error. When WWI and WWII came along, Adolph shifted the focus of the company to cater to U.S. soldiers and the Allied Forces. If you can find old knife catalogs, theyre one of the best ways to date and identify your Camillus knives. There are variations within each manufacturer. Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Danny. Fortunately for us, Camillus changed their stamps enough to map each one to different periods. One thing you might not have guessed is that two of the founding members J. Russell Case and Dean Case also found the Case Knife company. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Of course, they were sharp and most of them are older than us, but that doesnt mean we lost interest. And a final rant about the place we all love to hate. Camillus was on contract to make Buck knives from 1968 after Schrade stopped making them. 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. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this American cutlery dynasty are included, as well . Thank you for your interesting post. Your email address will not be published. by btrwtr Tue Dec 27, 2016 2:19 pm, Post Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. 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 author, Dean Case, makes reading easy, while inviting you to visit with the next character. 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. My guesstimate would be about 1925 (IIRC the founding year for Kinfolks, but I could be wrong) up to WWII. The M3 was originally designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet. SKIP. Besides showing you how to date a Camillus knife properly, I also give some tips to avoid falling into the fake vintage Camillus knife scam. The mystery of the Jean Case Cutlery Company is at last explained, and many family photographs and recipes are included. Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. If you dont go to knife shows, you might also have some luck with veteran knife collectors in your locale. Its now rare to find a Marbles pattern hunter in any of the major cutlery lines. This is usually where I first look at when dating knives. Maybe you want to buy a knife and you want to be sure its worth the price too? You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. 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. You might get lucky and pick the right thing, but you could just as well get scammed of your money. If find myself picking up the book time to time to just reread a chapter or two. Maybe it was the Woodcraft name that sold them. #3 Speak with Knife Collectors and Dealers. or Best Offer. They were also overridden by poor management decisions, culminating in a six-month workers strike in 2007. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, [{"displayPrice":"$24.06","priceAmount":24.06,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"24","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"06","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"%2BQyZ7lxqPrKytmlgbPMUyI1zR9P%2FwI2wzZMEcSH%2FSdjv%2FKwN3AnQ%2FmFqQCKgS1lHxRqZVXeMDodNS9MrsTriWgMqK%2FYEXCrMgipm8K5uGvOE%2BB7SyNmsDR6SFlK0hlLI7JOAj6S6f1KPtBiUbtNavoP6JXZ2C5krQ5lvV%2F3lIlS4sT7Lwzs8cA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"}]. This was a straight-backed, sheath knife with a slight clip-on, flat ground blade that swept to the point at the very end. However, that should not deter you from knowing when your knife was probably made. As usual Dustin, a fine writeup on a field often overlooked by collectors. In any case, the knife continued in the line until 1960 when the handle was lengthened, and the model renamed the Campcraft.. This isn't just a book for knife collectors. Dept. The good news is that I found multiple ways to determine how old your Camillus knife is. Starting in 1918, the English cutlery company, Wade and Butcher, began offering pretty much exact copies of Marbles Ideal pattern. The third production not pictured has a black plastic pommel. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . They also sometimes referred to the blade or overall knife material which is equally helpful in narrowing down the years. Alternately, you can look for Facebook groups or other social media gatherings where you can find such knife experts. For the time that they spent here, though, they came up with some pretty great knives that collectors are after today. The sheath looks like the one you show from Camillus. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Really nice knife, and to each his own, but I would not date that knife. This forum is for discussing and sharing pictures of anything that relates to fixed blade knives. There has always been a certain amount of fad over function involved in the way outdoorsmen select their cutlery. Awarded many contracts during the period from 1939 to 1945, Kinfolks produced a significant number of knives in several different patterns which helped our men in the field and in the air with a quality tool when needed. Gary I wonder if your knife is a transitional example were the fullered blade transforms into the saber grind variety more like the Mark1. Kinfolk Collectible Vintage Fixed Blade Knives. Kinfolks WWIIvar option_df_159643 = {"outline":[],"forceFit":"true","autoEnableOutline":"false","autoEnableThumbnail":"false","overwritePDFOutline":"false","direction":"1","pageMode":"0","source":"https:\/\/www.knifemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogpost\/KM-July-2021-Kinfolk.pdf","wpOptions":"true"}; if(window.DFLIP && DFLIP.parseBooks){DFLIP.parseBooks();}, HistoryKinfolks Inc.Knife Magazine ArchivesKNIFE Magazine July 2021WWIIWWII Knives. I agree that he probably was the person who hand stamped the USN mark on the sheath. There is also no proof that Case made any fixed blades before 1923, and by 1926 and up to 1932-33 all their fixed blades were made by Kinfolks. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. J. Elliott Case, son of Dean Case, who went on to become President of Kinfolks Inc. was one who joined the Navy and left the cutlery eventually to return when the war was over. On my variant note the filler in the shape of a cross, on the other variant it is in the shape of an oval. The only way to stay in the knife business and keep running a profit was to start making and selling them domestically. This does not impact the price of the item youre buying and it supports me to keep creating the content that you love. I remember when I got the middle knife, him commenting that it looked just like the knives they had in the ETO except for the finish. During WW2 I believe Kinfolks was in Little Valley in Western NY. While they may not be sparkly new, they still have a lot of hunting seasons still left in them. In any case, buyers must have questioned the length of the handle too, as, over the years, Marbles steadily increased its length. This was where he first got a taste for cutlery, which would later shape the man he became and the company he launched. From mine and your two they are all slightly different which would suggest the milling process was not precise, however it is distinctive one uses brass spacers and the other does not. 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? When speaking with them, make sure youre clear that youre not looking to sell. It is the aluminum guards that define Kinfolks made Case fixed blades. Imperial Knife Company: 917,894 Kinfolks, Inc: 119,702 Pal Blade Company: 268,000 Utica Cutlery Company: 515,000. Didn't know they were filled that way. 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. Stockman knives have two backsprings, which support at least three blades. Unless you are fascinated by these things, as am I. Kinfolks used to mark their knife blades, and those markings helped tell what era the knives came from. or Best Offer. . Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. Some time back I picked up one of the curved marking version with the plastic pommel and no colored washers in the grip. Sactroop, I saw yours in a previous post and it does indeed have the unique sheath supplied with Camillus AAC knives. While stag slabs were available at extra cost, most were handled in a feature pioneered by Marblestacked leather washers. Marble's next gift to the sporting cutlery world was the Expert sheath knife (5- and 6-inch blade lengths), introduced in 1906. US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY by knifeaholic Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:39 pm. If you have a Kinfolks knife of, Read More How to Date A Kinfolks Knife to A Specific EraContinue, If you have spent some time here before, then we have dated some pretty amazing knives together. Just look at it and you would see the same thing. You could simply want to know if several Kinfolks knives in your possession are originals before you list them for sale too. The knife is 14 5/8" in overall length, with the instantly recognizable 9 " clip point Bowie blade. By 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. 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. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. Copyright 2004-2023 allaboutpocketknives.com, Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide, "If there are no Dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where. Is it a genuine vintage or merely a reproduction? 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. All of these make the recipe for a truly great knife that deserves our attention. To add the following enhancements to your purchase, choose a different seller. It came from the estate of a Navy aircraft mechanic on a carrier, but no other information about it. ANTIQUE KINFOLKS U.S.A. MY65 Knife & Hatchet Combo Ax Axe Butterscotch Amber. Around 1915, Marble made what some consider his greatest contribution to outdoor cutlery, the Woodcraft sheath knife. 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. dustin, Next is the Camillus family. There are also extensive catalogs on the knife brand, making my work easier. View cart for details. Kinfolk's knives were made by the Kinfolk company from about 1924 until the early 1950's. They are very hard to date the exact time they were produced. Correct Kinfolks marked sheath, lightly sharpened condition, guard and leather washers very tight. There are many flavors to be had and with me it is edged implements more directly associated with aeronautical. Knives made by top companies were featured in catalogs that were either internally maintained or sent out to dealers and collectors. While some other companies have taken over the design and started to make modern versions, there is simply nothing like the older units that first came out under the original Klaas company. 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. Providing rare insight into Kinfolks and the families involved in its creation and development, Kinfolks Knives is intended to be the most accurate history of the cutlery compiled to date. Then again, I prefer dating women in general. 4 bids. $12.00. In 1929, Marbles added a 4-inch-blade version of the Expert to its line called the Sports Knife. The Girl Scouts of America adopted it as their official sheath knife in 1930, and the Boy Scouts made it an alternative to the more expensive Woodcraft. During the 1950s, there were huge numbers of sheath knives available for next-to-nothing in every military surplus store. The Expert pattern is just a strong as any other knife in its general weight class when used for reasonable field tasks. Read Next: Five Best Hunting Knives Ever Made. 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. I put on a pot of coffee and let myself get lost in the twist and turns of the Case family. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . Kinfolks Knives - Dean Elliott Case 2010-09 Kinfolks Knives oers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. CustomizedGiftStore. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Knife collectors and dealers should still have those catalogs if you can find them. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price. Add that to some shady collectors taking advantage of this fact to fabricate the fakes of these knives, and we have another challenge on our hands.