Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. 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. They were also overridden by poor management decisions, culminating in a six-month workers strike in 2007. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. Your email address will not be published. In my cousin Dean Elliott Cases book, Kinfolks Knives A History of Cutlery and Cousins, he shows this brand being used from 1928-1933. How yours ended up in navy hands is anyone's guess. Challenges with Dating the Kinfolks Knife. Read Next: The Total Outdoorsmans Guide to Knives. Some extremely valid points! Or do you just want to know the value of your knife? They show only very minor age/handling related wear, surface scratches, etc. It maybe that some knives with the chrome plating were used to fill orders, but I just don't know. It is the aluminum guards that define Kinfolks made Case fixed blades. Brain fart I suppose. 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 think the album link, vs a picture link . Also, for the rst time, the 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. Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, its a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. I did have to do a little searching for the right picture link from tou album post. 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. 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. If you have a Kinfolks knife of your own to date, you probably know that already too. The crossguard consists of two equal length arms that extend to the left and right and are terminated with circular ends. Im not sure who made that decision as it seems like the Expert or even the Ideal would have been better for camping chores. 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. Marbles pattern sheath knives ruled the market for decades, but the introduction of the Buck 110 lockback design in 1965 was a turning point. 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. An area I have not as yet delved into. 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. #3 Speak with Knife Collectors and Dealers. This is a pity, as the Woodcraft still remains one of the best big game processing knives ever designed. He started importing and selling German-made knives to his U.S. audience. 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. If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. After decades of feuding and parting ways to start yet another Case-related cutlery, Kinfolks saw three cousins come together to help one another. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Ending Jan 29 at 8:05AM PST 1d 10h. Didn't know they were filled that way. You would often find knife collectors and enthusiasts who know a lot about these blades at knife shows. 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. 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. There are many flavors to be had and with me it is edged implements more directly associated with aeronautical. 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. 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. They also sometimes referred to the blade or overall knife material which is equally helpful in narrowing down the years. No matter the reason for wanting to date that blade, these methods will get you an accurate year or an era, at worst. I agree that he probably was the person who hand stamped the USN mark on the 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. 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. 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. However, that should not deter you from knowing when your knife was probably made. Correct Kinfolks marked sheath, lightly sharpened condition, guard and leather washers very tight. Your email address will not be published. The two with fullers or blood grooves are the known AAF procured types. 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. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. 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. Show me your knife, and I'll tell you who you are. 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. 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. Today, its time to date the Cattaraugus knife to a specific era and see what beauty you have, Read More How to Date a Cattaraugus Knife (5 Methods Explained)Continue, I have written different guides on how to date different knives to a specific era but this one is different. While stag slabs were available at extra cost, most were handled in a feature pioneered by Marblestacked leather washers. The third production not pictured has a black plastic pommel. dustin, here are 3 similar Case knives. The Case has two variations which are the details in the casting of the pommel. With Western being so far off in the hinterland, maybe their sheaths tend to be more unique to them. To add the following enhancements to your purchase, choose a different seller. Alternately, you can look for Facebook groups or other social media gatherings where you can find such knife experts. Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications. With these prices it will be hard for a new collector (with limited funds) to acquire nice knives in the future. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . I have presumed that it was a 5679 L 36 that some one had replaced the grip and pommel with those from a USN Mark 1. Great information on a very overlooked fighting knife. Knives made by top companies were featured in catalogs that were either internally maintained or sent out to dealers and collectors. All of these make the recipe for a truly great knife that deserves our attention. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. by johnburrell Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:49 am, Post However, the Case dating system also adds to the appeal and collectibility because the knives can be easily identified and dated. Why in the world would ANYONE pay $713.00 for this book? Marbles halted most knife production in 1976, and the trademark was later sold to a company overseas. I have written different guides on how to date different knives to a specific era but this one is different. The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. The only way to stay in the knife business and keep running a profit was to start making and selling them domestically. So question: does it have brass spacers in handle? 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. I wish I could help more but this is as far as my limited knowledge can take me. 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. Then again, I prefer dating women in general. Marble's hunting knife. I paid a reasonable price on this knife given it's condition. I presume the stamp USN was added by the individual as personal enhancement. by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:39 pm, Post Some say it was the millions of knives produced by other companies for the war effort that doomed Marbles in the long run. Originally, the deep fuller was intended to allow the blade to be laid flat on a hone and sharpened something like a straight razor. One of the most common models today has the "568 TC USA" marking on its blade. I appreciate you writing this post and the rest of the site is very good. 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. 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. Thank you for sharing. 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. Thank you for your interesting post. Camillus knives are one of my most favorites knives to date. This is one of the 6-inch knives that the US Army purchased in 1942, before they went to the M3. Just look at it and you would see the same thing. 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 note the top two with brass guards are with and without brass spacers. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The CASE sheath is not pictured as I do not know what it looks like so if anyone does please share. 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. dustin, all I can say is the guard is not magnetic. The middle one is the other variant with oval shaped liked filler. or Best Offer. Save big on firearms, accessories, tactical gear, clothing, and ammunition from now until March 29. If find myself picking up the book time to time to just reread a chapter or two. $9.85 shipping. These RARE KINFOLKS Y330 & Y333 Fixed Blade Sabre Ground Hunter Knives w/Original Tooled Leather Sheath are in EXCELLENT overall vintage condition! Most period cutlery companies also produced close copies of the Ideal for use as survival knives in the various branches of the armed forces. Klein knives are clear vintages, and they're one of those knives that went to the war. Read Next: Five Best Hunting Knives Ever Made. There were six manufacturers: Kinfolks, Queen, Williams, Case, Ka-bar, and PAL. Steven Dick i>Kinfolks Knives" offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. One of the most common models today has the 568 TC USA marking on its blade. Unfortunately for Marbles, they were quickly underbid by Camillus Cutlery on future purchases. 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). He is also a contributor and Associate Editor of the print magazine. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! 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). http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/200448-questions-on-a-bright-blade-camillus-mark-1/. 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. 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. This is the Kinfolks family. 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. The CASE 322-5 are suppose to have plated finished blades. This site is maintained by the Cattaraugus County Historical Advisory Committee and the Dept. Something went wrong. 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. Did your Camillus knife go to the war? These fakes are even made with materials that age fast, tricking you into thinking that the knife has indeed seen a lot of years. Marble first marketed this model as not being up to the same kind of hard use his Ideal was. But there are clever reproductions that can fool you into thinking its the real thing. By Still factory sharp! September 30, 2018 in EDGED WEAPONS. KINFOLKS DOUBLE SET KNIFE BUTTERSCOTCH AMBER PLUS UNMARKED BIRD AND TROUT. I put on a pot of coffee and let myself get lost in the twist and turns of the Case family. Although a part of the Case knives family, Kinfolks knives didnt have a long run in the market. View cart for details. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. During the 1950s, there were huge numbers of sheath knives available for next-to-nothing in every military surplus store. It is believed that some of these tactical knives made it to WWII but there is no concrete proof of that anywhere. 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). Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . Okay, maybe not fakes. My father-in-laws Case knife he brought back from the ETO. Still, Read More Knife Dating Also pictured is the AAC procured pattern 5665 with stag and rosewood handles. 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. 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. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. The wide, upswept, 4--inch, flat-ground blade was his version of the perfect big game and trapping knife. Saunders knives; and a few more knives under contract. There is no definitive history of the Kinfolks knife around, but the little we know of them is as interesting. The mystery of the Jean Case Cutlery Company is at last explained, and many family photographs and recipes are included. 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. Required fields are marked *. Where neither is possible, its best to stay away. 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. Yep, more nice eye candy and good story thrown in for free. This is a book for anyone who would like to spend some time with a family who pursued the "American Dream". Around 1915, Marble made what some consider his greatest contribution to outdoor cutlery, the Woodcraft sheath knife. Little has been written about Kinfolks Incorporated and even less has been written about their contribution to the war effort during World War II. 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. The specific one you asked about is the one on the top or the left. 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. 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. The Expert is a great all-around outdoor knife, but the handle on the Sports Knife is just too short. All About Pocket Knives is a knife related resource center for buying, selling, researching, and discussing all things knives, Post Camillus was on contract to make Buck knives from 1968 after Schrade stopped making them. 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 . 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). CustomizedGiftStore. Modern hunters will automatically question the length of the 3--inch handle, but this was intentional on the part of Brooks. Likewise, everyone simply assumes that these knives only come from between the 1920s 1930s era, which is not the case. On my variant note the filler in the shape of a cross, on the other variant it is in the shape of an oval. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. However, if you got the knife from an older person (your father, grandfather, uncle, etc), you might not need the book. The author, Dean Case, makes reading easy, while inviting you to visit with the next character. Did you recently find a Camillus knife, and youd like to know what era it came from? My FIL's knife definitely isn't plated. In any case, Marbles Woodcraft and Ideals are still easy to find on eBay. LARGE STOCKMAN - JADE BONE KINFOLK JIG. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. From then until 1965, Robeson produced Kinfolks brand knives in addition to its regular line, using many of the same features and handle material. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. Instead, he sought out a smaller cutlery brand in Camillus and joined the management team. The Marbles Expert (top) and its little brother, the Sports Knife (bottom). As usual Dustin, a fine writeup on a field often overlooked by collectors. or Best Offer. Overall very cool ID'd item, The sheaths were indeed a sub-contracted item manufactured by Mosser Leather , however made to AAF specifications. 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. Adolph Kastor immigrated to the U.S.A. when he was 14 and worked in his uncles hardware company. $14.59. 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. 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. Kinfolks Knives - Dean Elliott Case 2010-09 Kinfolks Knives oers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. The only known production number from . However, that beauty does come with some challenges in telling the exact era that the knife is from. Sign up for a new account in our community. US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt. 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. I purchased 2 books to give as a gift to some of the men in my family. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Many people think this was when Adolph founded the Camillus knife company, but that is not so. 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. Correct Kinfolks marked sheath, lightly sharpened condition, guard and leather washers very tight. So, whats unique about the history of the Camillus 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. Otherwise, have someone who does. 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. 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. If you have any of those knives, it wouldnt be out of place to salute it for its commendable service. 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. dustin, $49.99. One of the most interesting things about this company is that they were founded in Little Valley, New York. Today, you and I are going to go through a journey that should, hopefully, help us estimate the founding date of your Kinfolks knife or what era it came from at the least.