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Tuna Valley

Seems that the USA Knife world is a small community with some deep roots in the Pennsylvania area. There are a few collectors that seek out and find the many unique tang stamps that over the past few hundred years called that great state home. Here on IKC I know of two collectors that specialize in that. David Anthony and Knifegirl888. Both of them have impressive collections but even more impressive is their knowledge of the area and its ties to the knife manufacturing industry.

We have seen companies buy the rights to some of the names from that area and revive them, a few have achieved success in making them household names among knife collectors.

A few years ago an old friend, Perry Miller, purchased the name Tuna Valley Knife Company. That name is tied to a rare PA tang stamp that few folks had ever heard of. David Anthony wrote a spellbinding article about the original company in Knife World Magazine. I would love to get a copy of it to place in here but need David’s permission to copy it. I will work on that for us. While Perry did not own a knife manufacturing plant he wanted the name to be revived and synonymous with quality. He connected with a company that held that same belief when they revived the names Tidioute, Northfield and Great Eastern Knives. The knife below is one created from that collaboration.

So tying this back to the small world conversation is some exciting news. The Great Eastern Cutlery company is opening 2012 with Bill Howard (one of the two original owners) having acquired the ownership stocks from Ken Daniels. The three names associated with Great Eastern will remain with that exceptional company and we look forward to seeing same great quality and new spins on old patterns. That is after all Bill Howard’s Specialty as a knifemaker.

The name Tuna Valley Cutlery company will now be owned by the Daniels family. Ken and Ryan are “oldstock” in the knife world, well respected for their commitment to USA made knives. I look forward to seeing what will come next with Tuna Valley and the Daniels family. So show me some of the Tuna Valleys that you have in your collection, regardless of what era they are from.

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Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on January 2, 2012 at 2:00pm

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Jan, thats a beauty.

I love the write up and the constant news and info you are sharing. I really think that people like you, collectors who truly care, make things like this seem smooth. I really was afraid of bad blood, but it's so great to read and hear that all is good. Knowing that the Daniels family is still involved in knives is also good to know, they can truly make are knife world a better place.

If more people cared about the quality and country of where their knives were manufactured, we'd be better off. Ken and Ryan will make some great knives under the Tuna Valley brand, I look forward to it.

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Permalink Reply by Mel Jones on January 2, 2012 at 2:28pm

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What a way to start the new year with more American made knives. That's what made this country great, manufacturing. We need to bring manfacturing back to the US.

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Permalink Reply by Steve"Hog"Hanner on January 2, 2012 at 4:08pm

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Thanks for the update, wow this will be interesting to see what happens. No matter what, it sure to be exciting.

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on January 2, 2012 at 9:46pm

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Well, I hate to hear about the split. Hopefully it will bring us another great line of knives to collect. I really need something to spend more money on. Just kidding about the money thing, but we need more USA built knives.

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Permalink Reply by Ron Dumeah on January 2, 2012 at 10:02pm

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Well you have me looking for them now Jan.

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Permalink Reply by David L. Anthony on January 3, 2012 at 7:11am

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Here is a pic of Original TUNA VALLEY tang stamps Hens teeth are easier to find.

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Permalink Reply by David L. Anthony on January 3, 2012 at 7:36am

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I am watching this situation with GREAT interest. I hope someone will keep me informed. If I can find the digital version of the article I wrote, I will post it. It someone else can scan a copy that would be better as it has some GREAT pictures in it.

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Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on January 3, 2012 at 7:59am

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I think this is it, right David?

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Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on January 3, 2012 at 8:00am

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Permalink Reply by Mel Jones on January 3, 2012 at 8:12am

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Very cool article. Thanks for sharing. Good education, Johnny.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 3, 2012 at 6:16pm

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Excellent work Johnny, thanks. David, Thanks for allowing us to share that article!!! I will go online tonight and see if I can find some pics of the other Perry Miller era knife from Tuna Valley

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Permalink Reply by tom white on January 3, 2012 at 6:52pm: Delete; good looking knife and the article,,,thanks

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 12, 2012 at 19:50

Brought this over from the Tuna Valley Section in a Box full of knives

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 16, 2012 at 17:30

Thanks Miss Jan, a little history of the knife company that a person is buying a knife from goes a long way for me any way.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 19, 2012 at 18:59

For me also Robert. I not only want to know about who I am buying from but what the vision of the company is. I like to know that USA product is being used to prosduce USA knives whenever possible. Dont have anything against other countries or knives just like to know we are preserving some of our own knife heritage also.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 24, 2012 at 9:55

Please keep us informed on any and all progress of this Tuna Valley knife poject. I am sure that any info, also would be of great interest to our members.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 24, 2012 at 17:45

Will do Robert...I will try to have a chance to speak with Ryan this weekend. Has anyone seen he and Ken at a show in 2012 yet? I know they are still doing them

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 24, 2012 at 17:49

No, but I may try to make a knife show this spring, some where thats not too far but thats a great show. Ya'll be thinking of one I could go to. Thanks...

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Leopold Lacrimosa on January 26, 2012 at 23:35