Tell me about this

[Don Robinson]

This is an old folding weapon that was purchased in France during the late 40's or early 50's by the father of a customer of mine.

It's marked "Hugo Koller, Solingen".

Anyway, at his request, I'm making another like it so that my customer can pass the original on to his son. He'll keep the one I'm making.

I vaguely remember seeing a picture of one of these knives when I was much younger, but I don't remember antyhing about it.

I have a suspicion that it may have been a German officer's dress knife during the war. ???

[Don Robinson]

This is the same knife in it's sheath.

The sheath has a slit in the back loop to fit over a belt stud.

Kind of neat, huh?


Now somebody tell me all about it.

[hammerdownnow]

What a neat project. Aside from sentimental value, the German renditions of this pattern, altho well made are not all that valuable at this time. I don't know much about the Koller name, but, maybe you could squeeze 300 for a real cherry one. The Sheffields in this pattern and even the Americans(PAL) go for about three times that.(ballpark figures) If I was the kid, I would take the one you make, and let Dad keep the original. Hope we get to to see your finished product. Some in progress pics would be nice and some thoughts on any problems you had to solve making it. I don't ask for much, ehh?

[Don Robinson]

I'll do that, HDN.

I'll do just that. I have the knife about 2/3rds. ready to put together and finish.

Now tell me how to find an American version. And a French.

And, could this be a war souvenir?

[hammerdownnow]

I am not aware of a French version but I will keep an eye out for a pic of one for you. Some of the fancy looking ones are from Toledo Spain like the pic below.


The Sheffields that I have seen are a little less rakish but have their own embelishments like the checked handles. The guy is trying to get $1,500 for the one below. You can see the swing guard is missing in the pic. It is called "The Hunters Pal" Not to be confused with the ones made By the PAL cutlery company who took over knifemaking from Remington.


Camillus made one with a bolo style blade for the military during WW2.


Mike Silvey would be the best one to ask about the chances that those style knives were carried by German officers. If you want those pics you should save them as the are up temporarily on Ebay. I'll snoop around some more.

[Don Robinson]

Great, HDN.

I don't see a latch on the others like the one I posted. The blade is locked both open and closed with the swing latch.

So far I like mine the best.

[hammerdownnow]

Yes I noticed that latch. Most of the ones I have seen have a lever lock on them like the German stag one below. I just read that they were made in about every country that made knives and that the practice of stealing patterns and making cheap copies was going on as far back as the 1800's


Edit to say , this one had a "buy it now" of $349

[Don Robinson]

HDN, here's what I have so far. I'm working on the locking lever now, as you can see. It will have a small hardened wheel on the forward end that applies pressure to the back spring as you swing the lock closed.

It's not intended to be an exact relica. I hate square corners, so all corners are radiused.

The guard/bolsters are made of 416 stainless, the liners are brass. The blade is S30V.

I had to get the stag from the far east.

Whatcha thinkaboutit, guys???

[BMiller]

Don,

What a blast from the past! I bought one like the one Hammerdownow showed back in 1973. Got caught with it on the Army post I was going to school at and had to engrave my last four on the blade to keep it in the armory. It was from Germany I think, maybe Hoffritz?

Anyway, looks cool!

Bill

[hammerdownnow]

I just noticed we are posting between two threads. I thought for a minute a post of mine was missing...lol

[Don Robinson]

Originally Posted by hammerdownnow

I just noticed we are posting between two threads. I thought for a minute a post of mine was missing...lol

Yep, something's changed around here.

The other day I saw two posts in the middle of another thread on the knife school.

Attachments without a post, and no post number, date, location, nada.

[Don Robinson]

I forgot to mention that I copied the thread into the folding knife forum because I thought building something like this might be of interest to the folder makers.

How'd you figure that out, HDN?? threw you for a loop!

For those who are confused by this mess I made, the original thread is on the "This old knife" forum.

[hammerdownnow]

Well this is the folding knife forum. The first time I posted I thought we were in "This Old Knife" Went there and checked and all the posts are there including repeats that are here. Funny....??????

[hammerdownnow]

Oh, I see. that was a good idea. I thought of suggesting that. This project is too good not to share. I was also wondering if plans for the knife would be a good seller.

[Don Robinson]

I'm so old I sometimes forget what I'm doing and make something new happen!!

Problem is, sometimes the something new ain't too cool.