$14.59. Imperial Knife Company: 917,894 Kinfolks, Inc: 119,702 Pal Blade Company: 268,000 Utica Cutlery Company: 515,000. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Camillus Cutlery company closed shop in 2007, only to be resurrected in 2009 by Acme United Corporation, which acquired the naming rights. September 30, 2018 in EDGED WEAPONS. by XX Case XX Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:38 pm, Post As stated, I presume mine is a rebuild but find your comment interesting. (159) Others give only a very vague date when the original Kinfolks company was making its knives and nothing more. Interesting,educational,and nice knives too. The Western "V-44" offered here is in about FINE condition. By 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. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns. However, that beauty does come with some challenges in telling the exact era that the knife is from. WOW! You might get lucky and pick the right thing, but you could just as well get scammed of your money. Information and photo provided by Brad Lockwood and Dean E. Case. It appears both types of finishes were used , plated and polished. Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. I have covered some of them here for you: Those guides expose you to some insider tips and strategies to get the exact date of these knives, narrow down their era or simply confirm if you have the original thing. 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 knife is 14 5/8" in overall length, with the instantly recognizable 9 " clip point Bowie blade. Camillus was so successful a knife brand that other knifemakers contracted them to manufacture their blades. Outdoor writers of the period all ridiculed the Bowies as being strictly, Billy the Kid, dime-novel fantasies. As for the butcher knives and the folders, they got the job done, but they didnt have much flash. To add the following enhancements to your purchase, choose a different seller. They also made some pocket knives but most were belt knives. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. Enjoy! Great information on a very overlooked fighting knife. How yours ended up in navy hands is anyone's guess. Picked this up at a nearby antique festival in NC. 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. These fakes are even made with materials that age fast, tricking you into thinking that the knife has indeed seen a lot of years. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well. Marble's next gift to the sporting cutlery world was the Expert sheath knife (5- and 6-inch blade lengths), introduced in 1906. Camillus was also notorious for sometimes mixing up the tang stamps. There was a problem loading your book clubs. All of these make the recipe for a truly great knife that deserves our attention. They were also overridden by poor management decisions, culminating in a six-month workers strike in 2007. Now, we know already that this, Read More How to Tell If A 1918 Trench Knife Is Real (5+ Unique Methods)Continue, The Case Kodiak is one of the most interesting exports from the company and continues to command a high price today. 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. Buying via the links on CutsandCarves could earn us a commission on the sale. US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. I work hard so my Dog can have a better life AAPK Tips and Tricks -- An Illustrated FAQ Forum on Steriods, Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days, Canal Street Cutlery Collector's Forum, Cattaraugus Cutlery Collector's Forum, Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) Collector's Forum, Robeson Cutlery Company Collector's Forum, Schatt & Morgan Knife Collector's Forum, Knife Related Creation, Modification, And Restoration Forums. 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. He started importing and selling German-made knives to his U.S. audience. After looking at the lead filler on the pommels of yours it is even tough to say that they could make those variations. $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 During WW2 I believe Kinfolks was in Little Valley in Western NY. This is one of the 6-inch knives that the US Army purchased in 1942, before they went to the M3. 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. The blade has a 4 " false edge, and a pair of very narrow, 3 5/8" long fullers, near the spine on each side of the . 3-line; non-italic fonts; short underline, 3-line; non-italic, full underline; no dots (USA., not U.S.A.), 3-line stamp; full underline; dotted U.S.A.; italics. There seems to be a problem serving the request at this time, Hunting Collectible Vintage Factory Manufactured Fixed Blade Knives, Bowie Collectible Vintage Factory Manufactured Fixed Blade Knives, Hunting Collectible Vintage Fixed Blade Knives, Camillus Collectible Vintage Fixed Blade Knives, Stainless Steel Handle Collectible Vintage Fixed Blade Knives, Stainless Steel Handle Collectible Vintage Factory Manufactured Fixed Blade Knives. The middle one is the other variant with oval shaped liked filler. Otherwise, have someone who does. 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. Also pictured is the AAC procured pattern 5665 with stag and rosewood handles. Besides Kinfolks knives, there are a series of other well-made knives that you may have and want to date. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. by edge213 Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:50 pm, Post The only known production number from . Originally, the deep fuller was intended to allow the blade to be laid flat on a hone and sharpened something like a straight razor. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . I put on a pot of coffee and let myself get lost in the twist and turns of the Case family. 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. In 1965, Robeson ended production of Kinfolks knives. Your email address will not be published. Vintage Kinfolks Knife Bakelite Pommel with Sheath. The M3 trench knife or M3 fighting knife was an American military combat knife first issued in March 1943. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! 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. Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, its a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. While stag slabs were available at extra cost, most were handled in a feature pioneered by Marblestacked leather washers. 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. i>Kinfolks Knives" offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. A similar issue occurs when dating the Kinfolks knife, but the chances of that error are slim. by btrwtr Tue Dec 27, 2016 2:19 pm, Post Please try again. 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. thorin6, Sactroop, I saw yours in a previous post and it does indeed have the unique sheath supplied with Camillus AAC knives. Just $1 per month , The history of Marbles knives and their impact on outdoor cutlery for the last 120 years, By He spent the past 20 years as a woodworker and fishing guide in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Tennessee. The company got a short reprieve in 1957 when its survival knife design was selected for use by all Air Force and Navy pilots. Kinfolks Inc. and World War II by Frank Trzaska. The original building was blown away by wind, yet Dean Case was able to buy-out his related partners through product by the 1930s, supplying fighting knives and the M4 bayonet during World War II, refocusing on hunting and household knives afterward. However, that should not deter you from knowing when your knife was probably made. The M3 was originally designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet. $274.99. The third production not pictured has a black plastic pommel. This refers to the Flame Edge Super Hunter model which was made in the USA. Im not sure who made that decision as it seems like the Expert or even the Ideal would have been better for camping chores. The sheath has been stamped U S N but again I don't know by who or when. They also sometimes referred to the blade or overall knife material which is equally helpful in narrowing down the years. Read Next: Five Best Hunting Knives Ever Made. Correct Kinfolks marked sheath, lightly sharpened condition, guard and leather washers very tight. #3 Speak with Knife Collectors and Dealers. offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. 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. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. 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). Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this American cutlery dynasty are included, as well as a foreword by Brad Lockwood. Dustin- Nice collection!! $9.85 shipping. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. $12.00. The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. He felt the proper grip when field dressing was to choke up on the handle with the base of the blade between your fingers. 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. Great knife. Basically, this was the Ideal with a 6-inch sawback blade, fully sharpened false edge, steel crossguard, and a heavy steel nut as a pommel. 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. Little has been written about Kinfolks Incorporated and even less has been written about their contribution to the war effort during World War II. Marble's hunting knife. KINFOLKS DOUBLE SET KNIFE BUTTERSCOTCH AMBER PLUS UNMARKED BIRD AND TROUT. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. Blades: CLIP, SPEY AND SHEEPFOOT Length Closed: 4 1/4 MFG List: $102.70 Our Price: $69.99 Limited . There are variations within each manufacturer. Just look at it and you would see the same thing. We are all connected through Job Case, all kin, and this book may be the history of only one of thirty-two different cutleries our family has started over our 140+ year history in the industry, but it is much more. The consensus is that the Kinfolks knife company was established around 1924 from when they made these really fine knives till the 1950s. Modern hunters will automatically question the length of the 3--inch handle, but this was intentional on the part of Brooks. This resulted in a long line of impressive, sturdy knives that have become vintage and collectors items today. As long as the treatment passed the series of tests that were required of it it would been accepted. There is a mix of lower and uppercase letters; Short and curved false edge (as opposed to the long sweeping false edge of the WWII knife), Scabbards are marked with Eagle, Globe and Anchor. I think the album link, vs a picture link . While none are stamped Marbles, the knife remains in wide use even today. The Expert. $6.30 shipping. No encontramos nenhuma resenha nos lugares comuns. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. 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. Klein knives are clear vintages, and theyre one of those knives that went to the war. The sheath also offered a stone pouch and extra holes for tying it down to a flight uniform. My guesstimate would be about 1925(IIRC the founding year for Kinfolks, but I could be wrong) up to WWII. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. When WWI and WWII came along, Adolph shifted the focus of the company to cater to U.S. soldiers and the Allied Forces. Ending Saturday at 5:06PM PST 3d 20h. 2023 Cuts & Carves - Designed by O. Christopher, How to Date A Kinfolks Knife to A Specific Era, How to Tell If A 1918 Trench Knife Is Real (5+ Unique Methods), How to Date a Kissing Crane Knife (Both Old and New), How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods), How to Date a Camillus Knife Effectively (1902 2007), How to Date A Case Kodiak Knife by Yourself (Expert Advice), How to Determine the Value of a Knife (Vintage, Antiques & Collectibles). One of the most interesting things about this company is that they were founded in Little Valley, New York. I have a 1970 Ontario marked JPSK I got from a reconnaissance pilot I was stationed with in Texas in 1976. The sheath with this knife was marked Camillus on the back. 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. Clays primary role is as Digital Editor, curating and creating new content for our website and blog, as well as maintaining the Knife Magazine social media accounts (FB/IG: @theknifemag, Twitter: @knifemagazine). Suggestions, Questions, Comments, Concerns, Alerts, Etc Member Store Tips, Tricks & Instructions, https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/btrwtr. Premium Online Members can read the whole thing by clicking the blue button below. Great read, with very helpful information. The Marbles Expert (top) and its little brother, the Sports Knife (bottom). 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"}]. 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. Top is pre-war procured knife blade tang stamped Kinfolks INC. followed by the two war time procured knives illustrating the use of alternate materials first switching to a plastic guard with aluminum pommel then plastic guard and plastic pommel tang stamped Kinfolks USA. The mystery of the Jean Case Cutlery Company is at last explained, and many family photographs and recipes are included. If you do, that might be the last time you see that fine blade. by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:39 pm, Post I can never really be sure where or when a blade gets it's cover unless I open the box from the factory that the knife came in. For all that good, though, some bad actors have learned how to make fake Camillus knives and pass them off as vintage. You can also check much larger forums such as BladeForums, AllAboutPocketKnives, or such other relevant picks. Most period cutlery companies also produced close copies of the Ideal for use as survival knives in the various branches of the armed forces. If you dont have both the repro and original side by side, you might not be able to tell the difference sometimes. 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. The Expert is a great all-around outdoor knife, but the handle on the Sports Knife is just too short. Show me your knife, and I'll tell you who you are. To see this page as it is meant to appear, please enable your Javascript! The Case has two variations which are the details in the casting of the pommel. 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. However, the Case dating system also adds to the appeal and collectibility because the knives can be easily identified and dated. Steven Dick I purchased 2 books to give as a gift to some of the men in my family. Still,, Read More How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods)Continue. 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. Marble almost singlehandedly turned the hunting knife into a must-have piece of outdoor gear for the well-turned-out sportsman. THX SKIP. I paid a reasonable price on this knife given it's condition. After more than two decades (1897) in this business, importation costs for the knives were getting higher and wiping out Adolphs profits. This is the Kinfolks family. Alternately, you can look for Facebook groups or other social media gatherings where you can find such knife experts. All that can contribute to making it harder to know when these knives came from. Correct Kinfolks marked sheath, lightly sharpened condition, guard and leather washers very tight. ${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}. A timeline of the family and related cutleries is included for quick reference, as well as answers to the most common questions about the company from www.KinfolksInc.com. | This article appears in the July 2021 issue of KNIFE Magazine. Does the one you mention have the colored spacers at each end of the grip like the ones you illustrate? Part of the great thing about knives is the variety and variation. Yep, more nice eye candy and good story thrown in for free. 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. It is believed that some of these tactical knives made it to WWII but there is no concrete proof of that anywhere. Fortunately for us, Camillus changed their stamps enough to map each one to different periods. Be prepared to take clear pictures of the knife, but never send the knife to anyone to have it dated for you. After decades of feuding and parting ways to start yet another Case-related cutlery, Kinfolks saw three cousins come together to help one another. In most of the places that Ive come across a Klein knife, it was either a military electricians knife or for another handyman. However, when I went on to see what prices were being asked for Kinfolks in this condition, I saw the prices in the $125 range (over twice what I paid). It is not a particularly rare blade (but in very good to excellent condition); there are several like this for sale on ebay most times I look (which is about 3-4 times a week). excellent! Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications. This American heritage contributes to the high-value craftsmanship and quality control that ships with these knives. While they may not be sparkly new, they still have a lot of hunting seasons still left in them. Your email address will not be published. During the 1950s, there were huge numbers of sheath knives available for next-to-nothing in every military surplus store. I did have to do a little searching for the right picture link from tou album post. In 1958, Robeson purchased Kinfolks Inc of Little Valley, New York, which just happened to be Emerson Cases former employer. Back to one of your earlier posts. The only way to stay in the knife business and keep running a profit was to start making and selling them domestically. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Also, for the rst time, the For the time that they spent here, though, they came up with some pretty great knives that collectors are after today. If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. 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. Some extremely valid points! 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. Where neither is possible, its best to stay away. 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. Required fields are marked *. It came from the estate of a Navy aircraft mechanic on a carrier, but no other information about it. (7,566) $89.99. They're not like the other vintage war knives I've dated because they're not fighting knives. ${cardName} not available for the seller you chose. these are the typical sheaths for the knives in post #1. However, if you got the knife from an older person (your father, grandfather, uncle, etc), you might not need the book. 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 . This is so ridiculous, it's laughableyet, assinine. Required fields are marked *. So, whats unique about the history of the Camillus knives? Also note the top two with brass guards are with and without brass spacers. This was a straight-backed, sheath knife with a slight . 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. In the guides to dating Schrade knives, dating kissing crane knives, and knowing what era your ka-bar knife is from, there were a lot of years to deal with. dustin, here are 3 similar Case knives. With these prices it will be hard for a new collector (with limited funds) to acquire nice knives in the future. When Vietnam heated up, the Camillus Pilot Survival Knife became a standard-issue item for a wide range of units, including Ranger Companies. When I received the package, I, out of more curiosity than anything began to read the forward and introduction and was immediately drawn in by the colourful characters and the 140 years of american history. The book does not just contain biographies of the companies founders but also comes with up to four catalogs to aid your dating. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. This is a book for anyone who would like to spend some time with a family who pursued the "American Dream". Camillus knives are one of my most favorites knives to date. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . We are all connected through Job Case, all kin, and this book may be the history of only one of thirty-two different cutleries our family has started over our 140+ year history in the industry, but it is much more. by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:09 pm, Post With Western being so far off in the hinterland, maybe their sheaths tend to be more unique to them. I note that you say that there is a third variation of the #5679 L 36 that has the black plastic pommel (presumably of the Mark 1 style). This may be evolution, but where will this hobby go? 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. You could simply want to know if several Kinfolks knives in your possession are originals before you list them for sale too. The brand started using tang stamps early enough, making it easy to tell the age of a Camillus knife. Some shady knife enthusiasts might want to get the knife from you at a steal price or in a swap deal for something else. Enjoy! by knifeaholic Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:39 pm, Post A beautiful little village in a largely agricultural area. On my variant note the filler in the shape of a cross, on the other variant it is in the shape of an oval. 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. The top two you have are right as rain for war time production AAF knives. Really nice knife, and to each his own, but I would not date that knife. 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. It is the aluminum guards that define Kinfolks made Case fixed blades. CASE has one other variation only prevalent at end of the pommel.