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. By 1876, after his uncles company had to close shop due to poor sales figures, Adolph charted out a new path for himself. 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. This guide to dating Camillus knives is focused on the Camillus-stamped knives only. 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. KinfolksFounded by Dean Case, Russ Case and Tint ChamplinLittle Valley, New York1925-1957. He started importing and selling German-made knives to his U.S. audience. The Expert pattern is just a strong as any other knife in its general weight class when used for reasonable field tasks. ANTIQUE W BINGHAM CO KINFOLKS FISH FISHING KNIFE Fixed Blade Hunting. thorin6, Be prepared to take clear pictures of the knife, but never send the knife to anyone to have it dated for you. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . $9.85 shipping. 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. Also, for the first time, the personal memories of multiple branches of this . I presume the stamp USN was added by the individual as personal enhancement. The mystery of the Jean Case Cutlery Company is at last explained, and many family photographs and recipes are included. After more than two decades (1897) in this business, importation costs for the knives were getting higher and wiping out Adolphs profits. Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. 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. Do you think your Camillus is older than your friends, but neither is sure? Why in the world would ANYONE pay $713.00 for this book? 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. Sign up for a new account in our community. Thanks for showing, peaked my interest. Without new collectors, this hobby will slowly atrophy until there are just a few of us left (until we age out). 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. Many hunters and fisherman carried them. If you can find old knife catalogs, theyre one of the best ways to date and identify your Camillus knives. 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). 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. 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. While stag slabs were available at extra cost, most were handled in a feature pioneered by Marblestacked leather washers. 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. Knife collectors and dealers should still have those catalogs if you can find them. Yep, more nice eye candy and good story thrown in for free. Please use a different way to share. As usual Dustin, a fine writeup on a field often overlooked by collectors. 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. Some say it was the millions of knives produced by other companies for the war effort that doomed Marbles in the long run. . Still factory sharp! 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. The two with fullers or blood grooves are the known AAF procured types. This site is maintained by the Cattaraugus County Historical Advisory Committee and the Dept. Also, for the rst time, the Fortunately for us, Camillus changed their stamps enough to map each one to different periods. 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. by btrwtr Tue Dec 27, 2016 2:19 pm, Post I wish I could help more but this is as far as my limited knowledge can take me. 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. If you are vastly interested in the story of how three cousins came together to found a knife company that we still know today, check the book out on Amazon today. 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. Blades: CLIP, SPEY AND SHEEPFOOT Length Closed: 4 1/4 MFG List: $102.70 Our Price: $69.99 Limited . Information and photo provided by Brad Lockwood and Dean E. Case. Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, it's a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. Gary I wonder if your knife is a transitional example were the fullered blade transforms into the saber grind variety more like the Mark1. TreasuresbyMoStore. As long as the treatment passed the series of tests that were required of it it would been accepted. The only way to stay in the knife business and keep running a profit was to start making and selling them domestically. The model 380 was one of the most popular. $49.99. The consensus is that the Kinfolks knife company was established around 1924 from when they made these really fine knives till the 1950s. The mystery of the Jean Case Cutlery Company is at last explained, and many family photographs and recipes are included. Alternately, you can look for Facebook groups or other social media gatherings where you can find such knife experts. 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. You could simply want to know if several Kinfolks knives in your possession are originals before you list them for sale too. Your email address will not be published. Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, its a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. dustin, all I can say is the guard is not magnetic. Same for middle knife? This was where he first got a taste for cutlery, which would later shape the man he became and the company he launched. Okay, maybe not fakes. It is the aluminum guards that define Kinfolks made Case fixed blades. Really nice knife, and to each his own, but I would not date that knife. If you use the BB code in imgur it's a straight copy and paste. J. Elliott Case, son of Dean Case, who went on to become President of Kinfolks Inc. was one who joined the Navy and left the cutlery eventually to return when the war was over. 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. 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. He felt the proper grip when field dressing was to choke up on the handle with the base of the blade between your fingers. During the 1950s, there were huge numbers of sheath knives available for next-to-nothing in every military surplus store. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. Fortunately for us, Camillus changed their stamps enough to map each one to different periods. Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2011. 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. I'm not sure exactly but I would assume they requested some sort of corrosion resistance this would leave the door wide open. This does not impact the price of the item youre buying and it supports me to keep creating the content that you love. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. While they may not be sparkly new, they still have a lot of hunting seasons still left in them. 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. 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. H. Clay Aalders is a lifelong edged tool user. If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. Stockman knives are said to have originated from the Cattleman's knife, since they are similar in character, but less bulky. by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:09 pm, Post Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. 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. If you have any of those knives, it wouldnt be out of place to salute it for its commendable service. Case knife Engraved, Kinfolk Jig Jade Bone Mini Trapper Pocket Knife Personalized, Groomsmen Knife, Fathers day Gift. Thank you for your interesting post. 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. How yours ended up in navy hands is anyone's guess. #3 Speak with Knife Collectors and Dealers. Marble first marketed this model as not being up to the same kind of hard use his Ideal was. 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. 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. (159) A beautiful little village in a largely agricultural area. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . Im not sure who made that decision as it seems like the Expert or even the Ideal would have been better for camping chores. Kinfolks Knives offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. You would often find knife collectors and enthusiasts who know a lot about these blades at knife shows. Sign up for a new account in our community. Premium Online Members can read the whole thing by clicking the blue button below. Marbles halted most knife production in 1976, and the trademark was later sold to a company overseas. Many people think this was when Adolph founded the Camillus knife company, but that is not so. Please try again. After decades of feuding and parting ways to start yet another Case-related cutlery, Kinfolks saw three cousins come together to help one another. Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2013, This book is an excellent history of a family who lived the American Dream. A legacy that lives on today, Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2018. Some time back I picked up one of the curved marking version with the plastic pommel and no colored washers in the grip. Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. After decades of feuding and parting ways to start yet another Case-related cutlery, Kinfolks saw three cousins come together to help one another. Back to one of your earlier posts. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Some shady knife enthusiasts might want to get the knife from you at a steal price or in a swap deal for something else. No matter the reason for wanting to date that blade, these methods will get you an accurate year or an era, at worst. Gladstone, Mich USA with sheath. 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. In 1962, the design was shortened to 5-inches to make it easier to carry inside aircraft cockpits. Your email address will not be published. If you have already guessed from the name, this company was founded by entrepreneurs who were related to one another. (7,566) $89.99. Great information on a very overlooked fighting knife. Modern hunters will automatically question the length of the 3--inch handle, but this was intentional on the part of Brooks. Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt. Picked this up at a nearby antique festival in NC. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. Published Oct 28, 2019 6:08 PM EDT. Way cool! The Expert is a great all-around outdoor knife, but the handle on the Sports Knife is just too short. March 26, 2014 in EDGED WEAPONS. Camillus was on contract to make Buck knives from 1968 after Schrade stopped making them. This is so ridiculous, it's laughableyet, assinine. Unfortunately for Marbles, they were quickly underbid by Camillus Cutlery on future purchases. 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). 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. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. 2023 Cuts & Carves - Designed by O. Christopher, How to Date a Camillus Knife Effectively (1902 2007), How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods), How to Date A Kinfolks Knife to A Specific Era, How to Date a Cattaraugus Knife (5 Methods Explained), How to Tell If A 1918 Trench Knife Is Real (5+ Unique Methods), How to Date A Case Kodiak Knife by Yourself (Expert Advice), How to Determine the Value of a Knife (Vintage, Antiques & Collectibles). 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. 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. offers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism. If you dont have both the repro and original side by side, you might not be able to tell the difference sometimes. Vintage Kinfolks Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Stacked Leather Handle W/Sheath . FREE shipping. All of these make the recipe for a truly great knife that deserves our attention. 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. Picked this up at a nearby antique festival in NC. Besides Kinfolks knives, there are a series of other well-made knives that you may have and want to date. However, that should not deter you from knowing when your knife was probably made. 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. There is no definitive history of the Kinfolks knife around, but the little we know of them is as interesting. This is a pity, as the Woodcraft still remains one of the best big game processing knives ever designed. Originally, the deep fuller was intended to allow the blade to be laid flat on a hone and sharpened something like a straight razor. Included are four vintage catalogs to aid collectors in the identification and dating of Kinfolks knives, as well. 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. I am immediately ordering even more books to pass on. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. $9.90 shipping. 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. by johnburrell Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:49 am, Post For the time that they spent here, though, they came up with some pretty great knives that collectors are after today. by JohnR Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:39 pm, Post One of the most common models today has the "568 TC USA" marking on its blade. The Expert. 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. Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. 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. 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. Thanks! This article appears in the July 2021 issue of KNIFE Magazine. My FIL's knife definitely isn't plated. Thanks for showing, once again learned something. Some extremely valid points! It appears both types of finishes were used , plated and polished. 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. My guesstimate would be about 1925(IIRC the founding year for Kinfolks, but I could be wrong) up to WWII. From the top is the first production strait tang markings followed by the second production arced tang stamp. The company got a short reprieve in 1957 when its survival knife design was selected for use by all Air Force and Navy pilots. Or do you just want to know the value of your knife? 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. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The Expert would also seem to be perfect for the needs of modern bushcrafters. Klein knives are clear vintages, and theyre one of those knives that went to the war. However, the Case dating system also adds to the appeal and collectibility because the knives can be easily identified and dated. This is one of the 6-inch knives that the US Army purchased in 1942, before they went to the M3. The Marbles Expert (top) and its little brother, the Sports Knife (bottom). 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. In any case, Marbles Woodcraft and Ideals are still easy to find on eBay. 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. As popular as the Marbles line was with outdoorsmen, it was their impact on the rest of the cutlery industry that really made a lasting impression. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. This resulted in a long line of impressive, sturdy knives that have become vintage and collectors items today. Great Knife Collection. $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 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. 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 List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. 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. From then until 1965, Robeson produced Kinfolks brand knives in addition to its regular line, using many of the same features and handle material. The sheath with this knife was marked Camillus on the back. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. 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). At a time like this, when not all dealers can be trusted, you need to be on guard. by XX Case XX Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:38 pm, Post The sheath looks like the one you show from Camillus. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 . September 30, 2018 in EDGED WEAPONS. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. It is not known when these knives went out of production, but they made it as far as 1993. I put on a pot of coffee and let myself get lost in the twist and turns of the Case family. Kinfolks Knives - Dean Elliott Case 2010-09 Kinfolks Knives oers an accurate and factual history of Kinfolks Cutlery. This started in 1899 with the Ideal model, which was available in a variety of blade lengths from 4 to 8 inches. $12.00. 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? In that case, this book is also a good investment. I remember when I got the middle knife, him commenting that it looked just like the knives they had in the ETO except for the finish. I have a 1970 Ontario marked JPSK I got from a reconnaissance pilot I was stationed with in Texas in 1976. Certainly Western didn't have facilities to make sheaths in factory before the 50's. During WW2 I believe Kinfolks was in Little Valley in Western NY. 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. Camillus was also notorious for sometimes mixing up the tang stamps. While none are stamped Marbles, the knife remains in wide use even today. As avaliaes no so verificadas, mas o Google confere e remove contedo falso quando ele identificado, John Brown Francis Tint Champlin 18661938, Robeson Catalog 1960 Kinfolks New Era Catalog, Cutlery College and Other Kinfolks SpinOffs, Identification and Dating of Kinfolks Knives, Frequently Asked Questions About Kinfolks Knives, Anomalies and Unsolved Mysteries of Kinfolks, Kinfolks Knives: A History of Cutlery and Cousins.