Although a part of the Case knives family, Kinfolks knives didnt have a long run in the market. It came from the estate of a Navy aircraft mechanic on a carrier, but no other information about it. There were six manufacturers: Kinfolks, Queen, Williams, Case, Ka-bar, and PAL. 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. $274.99. The CASE sheath is not pictured as I do not know what it looks like so if anyone does please share. 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. The CASE 322-5 are suppose to have plated finished blades. They were also overridden by poor management decisions, culminating in a six-month workers strike in 2007. Sign up for a new account in our community. 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. 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. Others give only a very vague date when the original Kinfolks company was making its knives and nothing more. CASE has one other variation only prevalent at end of the pommel. That must not have been a very good marketing strategy as the cautions against hard use were soon dropped from their advertising. 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. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. by knifeaholic Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:39 pm. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Ending Jan 29 at 8:05AM PST 1d 10h. This does not impact the price of the item youre buying and it supports me to keep creating the content that you love. His background is in fixed-blade hunting and bushcraft knives, but has jumped into the world of vintage slipjoint collecting with both feet since coming to work at Knife Magazine. Dept. Interesting,educational,and nice knives too. My FIL's knife definitely isn't plated. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . Fortunately, we dont have that with Kinfolks, but there is a unique issue. I agree that he probably was the person who hand stamped the USN mark on the sheath. Something went wrong. 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). There are many flavors to be had and with me it is edged implements more directly associated with aeronautical. Do you think your Camillus is older than your friends, but neither is sure? Marble's hunting knife. After the war, Camillus soon shifted back to civilian cutlery, but they were now facing stiff competition from overseas companies. However it looks like your knife has a nickel silver guard which may indicate pre-Kinfolks made by Case. Same for middle knife? Published Oct 28, 2019 6:08 PM EDT. 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). by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:39 pm, Post Im not sure who made that decision as it seems like the Expert or even the Ideal would have been better for camping chores. 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. When WWI and WWII came along, Adolph shifted the focus of the company to cater to U.S. soldiers and the Allied Forces. 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. If you are a Case Knife collector this is more the backstory on the people who built the companies that made the products and less about the specifics on any era of knives. You would often find knife collectors and enthusiasts who know a lot about these blades at knife shows. 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? Still,, Read More How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods)Continue. 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. The design of the knife was very imposing. 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. $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 Read Next: The Total Outdoorsmans Guide to Knives. Thanks for showing, once again learned something. Thanks! It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. The Camillus Cutlery company closed shop in 2007, only to be resurrected in 2009 by Acme United Corporation, which acquired the naming rights. 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. Saunders knives; and a few more knives under contract. So question: does it have brass spacers in handle? 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. We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Location: Central Massachusetts. 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 model 380 was one of the most popular. They're not like the other vintage war knives I've dated because they're not fighting knives. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. How yours ended up in navy hands is anyone's guess. Then came Webster Marble. I know my knives - maybe not as well as my mother - but enough to write helpful guides for you. offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. They also sometimes referred to the blade or overall knife material which is equally helpful in narrowing down the years. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No matter the reason for wanting to date that blade, these methods will get you an accurate year or an era, at worst. Sactroop, I saw yours in a previous post and it does indeed have the unique sheath supplied with Camillus AAC knives. I know my knives - maybe not as well as my mother - but enough to write helpful guides for you. Great information on a very overlooked fighting knife. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Marble almost singlehandedly turned the hunting knife into a must-have piece of outdoor gear for the well-turned-out sportsman. In 1958, Robeson purchased Kinfolks Inc of Little Valley, New York, which just happened to be Emerson Cases former employer. 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. 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. Likewise, everyone simply assumes that these knives only come from between the 1920s 1930s era, which is not the case. The Expert would also seem to be perfect for the needs of modern bushcrafters. Marbles next gift to the sporting cutlery world was the Expert sheath knife (5- and 6-inch blade lengths), introduced in 1906. Information and photo provided by Brad Lockwood and Dean E. Case. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this American cutlery dynasty are included, as well . If you dont have both the repro and original side by side, you might not be able to tell the difference sometimes. 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. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. 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. Dustin- Nice collection!! Unfortunately for Marbles, they were quickly underbid by Camillus Cutlery on future purchases. Required fields are marked *. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Ending Saturday at 5:06PM PST 3d 20h. March 26, 2014 in EDGED WEAPONS. 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. 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. It is the aluminum guards that define Kinfolks made Case fixed blades. Klein knives are clear vintages, and theyre one of those knives that went to the war. But there are clever reproductions that can fool you into thinking its the real thing. While none are stamped Marbles, the knife remains in wide use even today. I wish I could help more but this is as far as my limited knowledge can take me. It appears both types of finishes were used , plated and polished. This is one of the 6-inch knives that the US Army purchased in 1942, before they went to the M3. by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:59 pm, Post A 4-inch blade would seem to be a very practical length for hunters, but the 3--inch leather-washer handle made it a little difficult to grip for many field tasks. dustin, Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well. 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. Id rather give up now than give you a piece of misleading information anyway. While they may not be sparkly new, they still have a lot of hunting seasons still left in them. It's easy! by TexasRed Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:56 pm, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. Knives made by top companies were featured in catalogs that were either internally maintained or sent out to dealers and collectors. 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. $6.30 shipping. 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. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. If you dont go to knife shows, you might also have some luck with veteran knife collectors in your locale. I put on a pot of coffee and let myself get lost in the twist and turns of the Case family. When Vietnam heated up, the Camillus Pilot Survival Knife became a standard-issue item for a wide range of units, including Ranger Companies. The wide, upswept, 4--inch, flat-ground blade was his version of the perfect big game and trapping knife. 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. 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 . Camillus was also notorious for sometimes mixing up the tang stamps. The Western procured knife by the USAAF was only known to have the brown bakelight guard and pommel but there are two variations in the sheath with a low and high throat retaining strap. This does not impact the price of the item youre buying and it supports me to keep creating the content that you love. This site is maintained by the Cattaraugus County Historical Advisory Committee and the Dept. Although I don't seriously collect knives I do have a small collection of Camillus sheath knives. An area I have not as yet delved into. Originally, the deep fuller was intended to allow the blade to be laid flat on a hone and sharpened something like a straight razor. You can also check much larger forums such as BladeForums, AllAboutPocketKnives, or such other relevant picks. A beautiful little village in a largely agricultural area. i>Kinfolks Knives" offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Some shady knife enthusiasts might want to get the knife from you at a steal price or in a swap deal for something else. It's easy! 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 offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. By All About Pocket Knives is a knife related resource center for buying, selling, researching, and discussing all things knives, Post In most of the places that Ive come across a Klein knife, it was either a military electricians knife or for another handyman. #3 Speak with Knife Collectors and Dealers. 1 bid. Enjoy! The company closed shop in the 1950s and they have since been resurrected in other capacities. They show only very minor age/handling related wear, surface scratches, etc. Amazon has encountered an error. However, if you got the knife from an older person (your father, grandfather, uncle, etc), you might not need the book. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . Stockman knives are said to have originated from the Cattleman's knife, since they are similar in character, but less bulky. 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. 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. 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. This article appears in the July 2021 issue of KNIFE Magazine. FREE shipping. I think the album link, vs a picture link . He felt the proper grip when field dressing was to choke up on the handle with the base of the blade between your fingers. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. All had clip-point blades and a deeply-fullered edge grind (not a blood groove). Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2011. The middle knife has the chrome plating on the blade that Case was known to do. After decades of feuding and parting ways to start yet another Case-related cutlery, Kinfolks saw three cousins come together to help one another. The book does not just contain biographies of the companies founders but also comes with up to four catalogs to aid your dating. We are sorry. While this may sound fairly conventional, no one else was making a similar hunting knife at the time. Premium Online Members can read the whole thing by clicking the blue button below. All that can contribute to making it harder to know when these knives came from. and do not appear to have been used! Kinfolks Knives - Dean Elliott Case 2010-09 Kinfolks Knives oers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. The Expert pattern is just a strong as any other knife in its general weight class when used for reasonable field tasks. 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. The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. 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. Picked this up at a nearby antique festival in NC. 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. Search our products for it! Part of the great thing about knives is the variety and variation. Did Camillus Make Other Brands Knives on Contract? If find myself picking up the book time to time to just reread a chapter or two. It maybe that some knives with the chrome plating were used to fill orders, but I just don't know. by btrwtr Tue Dec 27, 2016 2:19 pm, Post (159) Pictured are the 5 principle pattern types and manufacturers for the USAAF. 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. View cart for details. Okay, maybe not fakes. Show me your knife, and I'll tell you who you are. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. 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. 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. 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. of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. I love to read a book that sticks with me even after I have put it down. The sheath looks like the one you show from Camillus. 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. Looking for a particular book or back issue? It is believed that some of these tactical knives made it to WWII but there is no concrete proof of that anywhere. Is it a genuine vintage or merely a reproduction? 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. Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, it's a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. these are the typical sheaths for the knives in post #1. $9.85 shipping. Suggestions, Questions, Comments, Concerns, Alerts, Etc Member Store Tips, Tricks & Instructions, https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/btrwtr.