Union Cutlery/Ka-Bar knife hatchet combo pics

[tiamat]

Just recently inherited a Union Cutlery/Ka-Bar knife and hatchet combo and thought I'd share some pics.









For the majority of my life, this lived in a kitchen drawer in my parent's house after being handed down from my Grandfather to my Father. It was in pristine condition then, literally unused. At some point it made its way into my Father's camping trailer. He must have been bored (or drunk) one day and decided to start bashing rocks with the back of the hatchet, as it's now heavily dinged and dented along the back of the head and spine.

After my Father's passing in March, it is now mine.

 

[hso]

Regardless of the dings, that is a collectors dream right there! While you may not get unused price for it you would make a collector very very happy to get their hands on it!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I only seen one of those at a gun and knife show years ago. That is a really cool set up.

 

[oldbear]

I've never seen one of those before,what a handy combo. That's something worth hanging onto.

 

[rcmodel]

Beautiful & rare set!!
Especially in such fine condition.

I think I would do a little 'restoring' on the head though.

It can be brought back to 'unnoticeable' condition by a knife maker that knows what they are doing.

rc

 

[tiamat]

Thanks for the comments.

Yeah, honestly, I was more than a little saddened when I pulled it out of its sheath and saw the carnage, particularly since I remember it being in such perfect shape as a kid.

I really wouldn't know who I could trust with a restoration of it though. Not that it really matters - I have no children or heirs to pass it on to anyway, so it will most likely get oiled and live the remainder of my life in the safe. Then some lucky SOB will get the 'garage sale find of the century' when my wife sells it for $5 or something silly after I'm dead and gone.

 

[jr_watkins]

In that case, get that fine piece of engineering out of the safe and put it to work on any task suitable. Think of your father and his every time you grip the handle.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

In that case, get that fine piece of engineering out of the safe and put it to work on any task suitable. Think of your father and his every time you grip the handle.

This or go over to the Blade Forum or contact Sam or another Mod someone will pay good money from it.

 

[Hard Tail]

Tiamat hatchet knife combo

just joined this site when I saw your pics. July 27 2014. I have one that marked as yours , only difference I could see was in the placement holes and divots . And mines not as nice as yours. just looking for any info. When were they made how long anything at all. I really like mine! Kind of new to this inter net thing, thanks for patience and info.

 

[rcmodel]

They were made in the 1920's -30''s.
Probably in limited numbers because people couldn't afford them.

Production creased due to WWII production needs, and never resumed afterward.

Union Cutlery Co, Oleander NY started in 1921.
They started using the KA-BAR name sometime afterward when they received a letter from an old trapper who said his life had been saved by a Union Cutlery Co. Knife when he Kilt a Bar with it.

That was then shortened to KA-BAR.
Soon after, the WWII military KA-BAR became one of the most famous knifes ever made in history.

rc

 

[Hard Tail]

Thanks for the info! I've heard the story about the trapper, very cool. Most likely not any other knife named for such an intense situation. Those guys were the definition of hard men. Last night i found 3 of rigs on e-bay. Big range in price. Since it looks like they all had the same markings wouldn't be a way to pin point a year. Guy I got this one from tossed out 1905 as the as the production year. But then he said a few things that didn't mesh. Heading down coast highway 1 early march. One of my rides! Should work great for camping off my bike. Thanks again!

 

[TomADC]

Bottom one (yellow scales)here is stamped Union Cutlery Oleander NY pretty well used but a combo knife/hatchett.. Wish it was in the same condition as the OP's!!

 

[Hard Tail]

Tom ACD: Have never seen one like that. How old do you figure it is? Would it work well? Mine is like Tia Mats. Put a new edge on mine, and it works great very solid. Don't know why they wouldn't bring them back. A little heavy for back packing ( at my age pounds mean pain ) But off my motor cycle, rigs or a horse it would be handy. Thanks for the pic's always fascinated by what our Fathers and Grand Fathers used! Hard Tail

 

[TomADC]

Hard Tail I'm told late 20's early 30's makes it at least 10 years older than I am!
Its not a tiny thing and did belong to my grandfather he was a user/abuser of tools. You can see where the hatchet portion had been hammered on.

 

[Hard Tail]

Tom ACD- looks like you got me by a few years. I'll be 63 tomorrow . Its cool you have your Grand Fathers rig. Better yet he used it! My guess it kept him warm by hundreds of camp fires. The stories it could tell. Seems like these hatchet knife combos were well used and relied on back then. Why wouldn't they still be making them to be used in our camps and handed down the line, stories and all ? Hard Tail

Tact is the ability to describe just as they think they are. Regards

 

[Hard Tail]

Combo knife hatchet Tom A D C

Tom: I have been looking over E-Bay for knife hatchet combos. Have found many like mine but only one like yours. Under collectable knife hatchet combinations . Different handles and pretty good shape. Listed for $1000 ? Just thought you might like to know. Marlan State of Jefferson

 

[TomADC]

Hard Tail, I had to go look, all I can say is wow!1 I did add it to my watch list
I'm betting he doesn't get a bid. Thats seems way to pricey to me.

 

[TomADC]

Its been realist a $100 drop now its $900.