Modern hunters will automatically question the length of the 3--inch handle, but this was intentional on the part of Brooks. 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. Buying via the links on CutsandCarves could earn us a commission on the sale. Adolph Kastor immigrated to the U.S.A. when he was 14 and worked in his uncles hardware company. However it looks like your knife has a nickel silver guard which may indicate pre-Kinfolks made by Case. Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, it's a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. dustin, all I can say is the guard is not magnetic. Information and photo provided by Brad Lockwood and Dean E. Case. 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. Location: Central Massachusetts. Did you recently find a Camillus knife, and youd like to know what era it came from? The model 380 was one of the most popular. This isn't just a book for knife collectors. The Camillus Cutlery company also produced: Their production capacity was expanded during the second world war when they had to manufacture a lot of high-quality knives to meet the needs of the soldiers shipping off to war. by XX Case XX Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:38 pm, Post Blades: CLIP, SPEY AND SHEEPFOOT Length Closed: 4 1/4 MFG List: $102.70 Our Price: $69.99 Limited . US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY The middle one is the other variant with oval shaped liked filler. The middle knife has the chrome plating on the blade that Case was known to do. $9.90 shipping. Fortunately for us, Camillus changed their stamps enough to map each one to different periods. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. During the time which they made knives, the company created a long line of hunting and fishing knives. of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism. Ending Saturday at 5:06PM PST 3d 20h. The top two you have are right as rain for war time production AAF knives. . No matter the reason for wanting to date that blade, these methods will get you an accurate year or an era, at worst. Of course, they were sharp and most of them are older than us, but that doesnt mean we lost interest. (7,566) $89.99. 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. In 1958, Robeson purchased Kinfolks Inc of Little Valley, New York, which just happened to be Emerson Cases former employer. This was a straight-backed, sheath knife with a slight clip-on, flat ground blade that swept to the point at the very end. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. 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 . The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. During the 1950s, there were huge numbers of sheath knives available for next-to-nothing in every military surplus store. While stag slabs were available at extra cost, most were handled in a feature pioneered by Marblestacked leather washers. or Best Offer. Where neither is possible, its best to stay away. This is usually where I first look at when dating knives. 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. In most of the places that I've come across a Klein knife, it was either a military electrician's knife or for another handyman. If find myself picking up the book time to time to just reread a chapter or two. Please try again. (159) 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. I posted the lower knife on another thread from Gary recently. In most of the places that Ive come across a Klein knife, it was either a military electricians knife or for another handyman. 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. Enjoy! by knifeaholic Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:39 pm, Post Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt. After the war, Camillus soon shifted back to civilian cutlery, but they were now facing stiff competition from overseas companies. View cart for details. 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. Camillus was so successful a knife brand that other knifemakers contracted them to manufacture their blades. Picked this up at a nearby antique festival in NC. All of these make the recipe for a truly great knife that deserves our attention. With these prices it will be hard for a new collector (with limited funds) to acquire nice knives in the future. Little has been written about Kinfolks Incorporated and even less has been written about their contribution to the war effort during World War II. 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. Stockman knives have two backsprings, which support at least three blades. How yours ended up in navy hands is anyone's guess. 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. 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. 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. 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. Show me your knife, and I'll tell you who you are. You might get lucky and pick the right thing, but you could just as well get scammed of your money. 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 . Starting in 1918, the English cutlery company, Wade and Butcher, began offering pretty much exact copies of Marbles Ideal pattern. I put on a pot of coffee and let myself get lost in the twist and turns of the Case family. Next is the Camillus family. 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. You just think these companies would be in cities. The author, Dean Case, makes reading easy, while inviting you to visit with the next character. The mystery of the Jean Case Cutlery Company is at last explained, and many family photographs and recipes are included. is intended to be the most accurate history of the cutlery compiled to date. 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. One of the most common models today has the "568 TC USA" marking on its blade. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. 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. Some extremely valid points! 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. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . 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. There are also extensive catalogs on the knife brand, making my work easier. Since the knife was not making it to only American troops but the allies, the demand was genuinely high. 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. 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. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. ANTIQUE KINFOLKS U.S.A. MY65 Knife & Hatchet Combo Ax Axe Butterscotch Amber. They're not like the other vintage war knives I've dated because they're not fighting knives. 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. Read Next: Five Best Hunting Knives Ever Made. Fortunately, we dont have that with Kinfolks, but there is a unique issue. Thanks. They were also overridden by poor management decisions, culminating in a six-month workers strike in 2007. The M3 trench knife or M3 fighting knife was an American military combat knife first issued in March 1943. With Western being so far off in the hinterland, maybe their sheaths tend to be more unique to them. This was where he first got a taste for cutlery, which would later shape the man he became and the company he launched. Although a part of the Case knives family, Kinfolks knives didnt have a long run in the market. Kinfolks used to mark their knife blades, and those markings helped tell what era the knives came from. I did have to do a little searching for the right picture link from tou album post. 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. One of the biggest challenges with dating any kind of knife at all is the change of ownership that might have occurred along the line. 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. This does not impact the price of the item youre buying and it supports me to keep creating the content that you love. One strange side note to its history is that it was once the official sheath knife of the American Boy Scouts, from 1933 to 1940. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. 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. This is so ridiculous, it's laughableyet, assinine. As usual Dustin, a fine writeup on a field often overlooked by collectors. . 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. For all that good, though, some bad actors have learned how to make fake Camillus knives and pass them off as vintage. Of all the knives that I have ever tried to date, the Kinfolks remain one of the most beautiful. 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. Picked this up at a nearby antique festival in NC. However, that beauty does come with some challenges in telling the exact era that the knife is from. Many hunters and fisherman carried them. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Then came Webster Marble. 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. 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. Vintage Kinfolks Knife Bakelite Pommel with Sheath. Sign up for a new account in our community. March 26, 2014 in EDGED WEAPONS. Looking for a particular book or back issue? Kinfolk Collectible Vintage Fixed Blade Knives. 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. If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. While Marble never gave him credit, a hunting writer named George W. Brooks claimed to have designed the first Woodcraft in 1914. 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. dustin, here are 3 similar Case knives. Without new collectors, this hobby will slowly atrophy until there are just a few of us left (until we age out). You can jump to the following sections if youre in a hurry, but I would advise that you dont skip this part. 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? The Expert is a great all-around outdoor knife, but the handle on the Sports Knife is just too short. One of the most interesting things about this company is that they were founded in Little Valley, New York. Slowly at first, but with increasing momentum, the folding hunter once again became the favorite field knife of most hunters, and the Marbles patterns were considered old fashioned. By 1992, Buck had produced 11,000,000 Model 110s and was adding more at the rate of 400,000 a year. Is it a genuine vintage or merely a reproduction? 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. The company got a short reprieve in 1957 when its survival knife design was selected for use by all Air Force and Navy pilots. The consensus is that the Kinfolks knife company was established around 1924 from when they made these really fine knives till the 1950s. The only known production number from . Or do you just want to know the value of your knife? Turner Manufacturing, Imperial Knife Company, Conetta Tool and Die, and Bren-Dan Inc. received the contracts for this run of M4 bayonets which finally ended in 1970. CASE has one other variation only prevalent at end of the pommel. By Just $1 per month , The history of Marbles knives and their impact on outdoor cutlery for the last 120 years, By The brand name has since been resurrected. 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. Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. All of these make the recipe for a truly great knife that deserves our attention. The third production not pictured has a black plastic pommel. This is one of the 6-inch knives that the US Army purchased in 1942, before they went to the M3. 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. One of the most common models today has the 568 TC USA marking on its blade. 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. by TexasRed Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:56 pm, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. To see this page as it is meant to appear, please enable your Javascript! The knife is 14 5/8" in overall length, with the instantly recognizable 9 " clip point Bowie blade. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. The specific one you asked about is the one on the top or the left. However, that should not deter you from knowing when your knife was probably made. For the time that they spent here, though, they came up with some pretty great knives that collectors are after today. Really nice knife, and to each his own, but I would not date that knife. If you have already guessed from the name, this company was founded by entrepreneurs who were related to one another. So question: does it have brass spacers in handle? Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this American cutlery dynasty are included, as well . Save big on firearms, accessories, tactical gear, clothing, and ammunition from now until March 29. This was a straight-backed, sheath knife with a slight . Pictured are the 5 principle pattern types and manufacturers for the USAAF. I know of examples of the fullered Camillus 5" knife missing the thin brass spacers too. Steven Dick Klein knives are clear vintages, and theyre one of those knives that went to the war. Amazon has encountered an error. Total Production: 2,469,956. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. by johnburrell Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:49 am, Post Your email address will not be published. There are variations within each manufacturer. THX SKIP. 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 . Knives made by top companies were featured in catalogs that were either internally maintained or sent out to dealers and collectors. 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. The good news is that I found multiple ways to determine how old your Camillus knife is. My thought was A- at some point the two were mated or B-CASE acquired the sheaths from the same supplier as Camillus, I lean towards A. Published Oct 28, 2019 6:08 PM EDT. Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. The CASE sheath is not pictured as I do not know what it looks like so if anyone does please share. Dustin, thanks for the information about my third pattern knife. Klein knives are clear vintages, and they're one of those knives that went to the war. Although I don't seriously collect knives I do have a small collection of Camillus sheath knives. When WWI and WWII came along, Adolph shifted the focus of the company to cater to U.S. soldiers and the Allied Forces. This does not impact the price of the item youre buying and it supports me to keep creating the content that you love. The CASE 322-5 are suppose to have plated finished blades. In any case, Marbles Woodcraft and Ideals are still easy to find on eBay. 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. and do not appear to have been used! 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. TreasuresbyMoStore. 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. Likewise, everyone simply assumes that these knives only come from between the 1920s 1930s era, which is not the case. LARGE STOCKMAN - JADE BONE KINFOLK JIG. If you have one of such knives, follow the guide above to narrow down the date or era as much as you can. Instead, it was supposed to be reserved for professional hunters, trappers, and guides with the experience to use a light, sharp blade in the field. They also sometimes referred to the blade or overall knife material which is equally helpful in narrowing down the years. 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. 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 Camillus Cutlery company closed shop in 2007, only to be resurrected in 2009 by Acme United Corporation, which acquired the naming rights. Maybe you want to buy a knife and you want to be sure its worth the price too? 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. My guesstimate would be about 1925 (IIRC the founding year for Kinfolks, but I could be wrong) up to WWII. I am immediately ordering even more books to pass on. Originally, the deep fuller was intended to allow the blade to be laid flat on a hone and sharpened something like a straight razor. This American heritage contributes to the high-value craftsmanship and quality control that ships with these knives. Find out more below. I think the album link, vs a picture link . By 1876, after his uncles company had to close shop due to poor sales figures, Adolph charted out a new path for himself. 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. Premium Online Members can read the whole thing by clicking the blue button below. If I am honest, theyre not the only ones to make this mistake. This forum is for discussing and sharing pictures of anything that relates to fixed blade knives. This guide to dating Camillus knives is focused on the Camillus-stamped knives only. 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. Required fields are marked *. I wish I could help more but this is as far as my limited knowledge can take me. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. 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). Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Danny. Your email address will not be published. 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. They also made some pocket knives but most were belt knives. The Marbles Expert (top) and its little brother, the Sports Knife (bottom). of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism. I have a 1970 Ontario marked JPSK I got from a reconnaissance pilot I was stationed with in Texas in 1976. In any case, the knife continued in the line until 1960 when the handle was lengthened, and the model renamed the Campcraft.. $12.00. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. And a final rant about the place we all love to hate. Picked up this Kinfolks the other day with its original sheath, tang reads Kinfolks Incorporated, anyone have a date range for this knife. 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. Part of the great thing about knives is the variety and variation. Thank you Steve, did not realize it could be that old, the type of bone and the hammered pins did make me wonder.. Procure a maior eBookstore do mundo e comece a ler hoje na web, no tablet, no telefone ou eReader. Be prepared to take clear pictures of the knife, but never send the knife to anyone to have it dated for you. Still, Read More Knife Dating 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. It consisted of a black horn handle secured to the tang via the use of three brass rivets. The Expert. The Case has two variations which are the details in the casting of the pommel. Kinfolks were granted the patent to use tungsten carbide on their knives in 1955, and the knives went into production afterward. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well as biographies of . Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. 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. these are the typical sheaths for the knives in post #1. An area I have not as yet delved into. The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. $9.85 shipping. He felt the proper grip when field dressing was to choke up on the handle with the base of the blade between your fingers. There are variations within each manufacturer. Some shady knife enthusiasts might want to get the knife from you at a steal price or in a swap deal for something else. I presume the stamp USN was added by the individual as personal enhancement. In 1962, the design was shortened to 5-inches to make it easier to carry inside aircraft cockpits. The sheath has been stamped U S N but again I don't know by who or when. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. Besides Kinfolks knives, there are a series of other well-made knives that you may have and want to date. CustomizedGiftStore. Ending Jan 29 at 8:05AM PST 1d 10h. Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, its a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. Marbles next gift to the sporting cutlery world was the Expert sheath knife (5- and 6-inch blade lengths), introduced in 1906. Still,, Read More How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods)Continue. 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.