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New York Knife Co Equal Ended Pen Knife

Hi John, finally found my around the forum to this discussion..

I know you have seen this knife before, but we got sidetracked before you could give me any further info on it's origins. At this point, thanks to you, I know it has to be a pre 1931 knife, but that's all I know about it. I did research on NYK on all of the forums, found lots of info, but haven't found a photo or reference to this pattern anywhere, and it is the only NYK I've seen photos of without a shield. I've read the company history, and know that they weren't in production for a few years before they folded in 1931, but that doesn't help me date the knife. I also scanned through 700 pages of old knife advertisements, and didn't find this knife.

Any info you can give me regards the knife's age, type of bone, etc, etc, would be much appreciated.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 20, 2015 at 14:14

Syd-Don't know how much more I can tell you- Your knife, based on the tang stamps dates your knife to circa 1882-1931. That hammer brand stamp was first used in 1882 and New York Knife Co. went out of business in 1931. If I had to make an educated guess, I would say yours is at the early end of that time frame--- Unfortunately, in this era of knives, you are not going to narrow down the time frame beyond that. Your equal ended pen knife is also called a Senator pattern. The handle material is cow leg bone, as is the norm for bone handled knives.I know you had asked if this was Rogers bone from Rogers Mfg. Co.--Possibly, but pretty much impossible to prove-- Rogers Mfg. Co. started supplying bone handles around 1900, but they did have competitors. Also, although Rogers made several different jigged bone patterns, they were usually more random in the jigging than your knife is. Still have not found another example like your knife, so I imagine it is a pretty rare pattern. These New York Knife Co. Walden/Hammer Brand knives have a high collector value and I would say yours is at the very least a $100+ knife, although I have seen other patterns from this Co. run as high as $450.

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Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on May 20, 2015 at 14:33

Thanks so much John, at least I know it is a "Senator" pattern, and that it is likely not Rogers bone. I have been carrying the knife wrapped in a handkerchief in my pocket, but I think I'll retire it to preserve it. I have searched and searched photos online in various forums looking for another one of these, but like you I find no other similar knife out there. That could be good, or that could be VERY good for it's relative collector value. In my case it will be documented, then kept safe to be handed down to my grandson. Maybe I'll get some more info down the road, but thanks to you I have enough info to know it needs to be preserved....thank you!

John McCain said:

Syd-Don't know how much more I can tell you- Your knife, based on the tang stamps dates your knife to circa 1882-1931. That hammer brand stamp was first used in 1882 and New York Knife Co. went out of business in 1931. If I had to make an educated guess, I would say yours is at the early end of that time frame--- Unfortunately, in this era of knives, you are not going to narrow down the time frame beyond that. Your equal ended pen knife is also called a Senator pattern. The handle material is cow leg bone, as is the norm for bone handled knives.I know you had asked if this was Rogers bone from Rogers Mfg. Co.--Possibly, but pretty much impossible to prove-- Rogers Mfg. Co. started supplying bone handles around 1900, but they did have competitors. Also, although Rogers made several different jigged bone patterns, they were usually more random in the jigging than your knife is. Still have not found another example like your knife, so I imagine it is a pretty rare pattern. These New York Knife Co. Walden/Hammer Brand knives have a high collector value and I would say yours is at the very least a $100+ knife, although I have seen other patterns from this Co. run as high as $450.