KEEN-KUTTER (Schrade or earlier?) Hawk-Bill Pocketknife, Very Vintage VGC

Description: KEEN-KUTTER (Schrade or earlier?) Hawk-Bill Pocketknife, Very Vintage VGC: The name was first used in middle 19th century by a hardware co-operate buying group. Eventually the company was purchased as a unit by the early TrueValue corporatiion. The knives had been manufactured by several small cutlers and stamped with the Keen-Kutter name. Manufacturing was done in the 1960s-1980s by Schrade company but I don't know if the owner of the brand changed. The karambit/ hawkbill is used for gathering grains, threshing, raking roots, planting rice, cutting mushrooms, vines and twine work in the fields. Electricians also find the pattern useful for stripping wire, cutting out difficult locations for junctions or connections, cutting plasterboard or wood for new installations. Also general cutting jobs like opening boxes, splicing tape, and even tough jobs like rope. It's odd looking but useful for many jobs. The curved, sharp edge is good for slashing work. I estimate that this Keen-Kutter knife was built in the 1930s or 40s. By the 1950s civilian knives were in the process of switching to plastic handles and industrial knives were getting phenolic handles. These genuine wood handles show exposed grain subjected to years of use and both sides have small cracks. The tight grain has kept them from spreading; they are only patina; see photos. Cavity is clean; spring gives good walk and talk. Frame is steel, not brass; square and solid to nickel-steel bolsters. Carbon steel blade shows patina on both sides but no pits or discoloration. Former owner tried once to sharpen it on a grinder; after bruising the back side he gave up and went back to a sharpening stone or fine, round file. See pictures. These knives were not trailer-queens but Clydesdales. There's a lot of work left in this old horse.

Price: 57 USD

Location: Cary, Illinois

End Time: 2025-01-18T04:02:03.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4 USD