Ever See A Thompson Center Arms Hawken Knife ?

WillB

WillB

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Feb 3, 2007
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Ever see one? A bit of a mystery here. Thompson Center Arms, makers of black powder rifles, produced some knives. One was called the "Hawken Knife." Not sure how many were produced, but the few I saw for sale didn't seem to fetch much. Anyway, I came into possession of one that I can find no info at all on, damascus steel with staghorn handle. Perhaps a custom job done for someone? Any advice where I can get a lead on this guy? If nothing else, I will contact Thompson Center Arms.
Hawkin Knife.jpg




 
Case made a damascus bladed folder for TC around that same time frame. I'd bet they also produced this one. Check with them if you strike out with TC.
 
These were made around 1993 for them. It's the #3 Hawken (Hawk N) Knife. If they won't say who made it, I'd look at Case, Parker Edwards, or Bear MGC (Bear and Sons now). TC sources good quality stuff, and they've used Gerber, Queen(and Queen family brands), Case, and Puma before.

This one was made in the US, and around that time, Jim Parker might have had a hand in getting it built. He owned Case for a while during the late 80's, early 90's, and sourced damascus from Fain Edwards. Edwards was a custom maker, who supplied a lot of the American made damascus during that time, and also had the Parker - Edwards brand with Jim Parker. Fain Edwards would sell the factory to three of his workers, and that would become Bear MGC (MGC are the first intials of the last names of the men who bought it).

That last paragraph meanders a little, but I just wanted to show the interlocking nature of much of the cutlery industry, especially back then.
 
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tltt said:
These were made around 1993 for them. It's the #3 Hawken Knife. If they won't say who made it, I'd look at Case, Parker Edwards, or Bear MGC (Bear and Sons now). TC sources good quality stuff, and they've used Gerber, Queen(and Queen family brands), Case, and Puma before.

This one was made in the US, and around that time, Jim Parker might have had a hand in getting it built. He owned Case for a while during the late 80's, early 90's, and sourced damascus from Fain Edwards. Edwards was a custom maker, who supplied a lot of the American made damascus during that time, and also had the Parker - Edwards brand with Jim Parker. Fain Edwards would sell the factory to three of his workers, and that would become Bear MCG (MGC are the first intials of the last names of the men who bought it).

That last paragraph meanders a little, but I just wanted to show the interlocking nature of much of the cutlery industry, especially back then.
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Great info, thanx! I'd gather those are somewhat rare and possibly of some value? I will probably sell it if I have a sense of value.
 
WillB said:
Great info, thanx! I'd gather those are somewhat rare and possibly of some value? I will probably sell it if I have a sense of value.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've only seen this model once or twice before. It's one of those cases where its rareness works against it, because there isn't a base of comparable models. The damascus folders usually go in the $150 - 200 range, but there are a decent bit more of those, and folders vs fixed is an apples and oranges thing.
 
tltt said:
Yeah, I've only seen this model once or twice before. It's one of those cases where its rareness works against it, because there isn't a base of comparable models. The damascus folders usually go in the $150 - 200 range, but there are a decent bit more of those, and folders vs fixed is an apples and oranges thing.
Click to expand...

I sent TC and Case an email in attempts to get some idea of how many were made and what ever info they can give. From what you're saying, I'd think it's worth at least what the folders are, perhaps a bit more. As you say, something can be so rare there's nothing to compare it to, reducing value. That's one of those things someone who wants something that specific for what ever reason, the history, collector of all things TC, etc. It was part of a large collection I have recently come into.
 
tltt said:
These were made around 1993 for them. It's the #3 Hawken (Hawk N) Knife. If they won't say who made it, I'd look at Case, Parker Edwards, or Bear MGC (Bear and Sons now). TC sources good quality stuff, and they've used Gerber, Queen(and Queen family brands), Case, and Puma before.

This one was made in the US, and around that time, Jim Parker might have had a hand in getting it built. He owned Case for a while during the late 80's, early 90's, and sourced damascus from Fain Edwards. Edwards was a custom maker, who supplied a lot of the American made damascus during that time, and also had the Parker - Edwards brand with Jim Parker. Fain Edwards would sell the factory to three of his workers, and that would become Bear MGC (MGC are the first intials of the last names of the men who bought it).

That last paragraph meanders a little, but I just wanted to show the interlocking nature of much of the cutlery industry, especially back then.
Click to expand...

Case at least says it's not one of there's. TC has yet to respond to my inquiries. The mystery continues!
 
Follow up. My trip to Blade Show was to get answer to this and other knives, and I found who the makers were: Bear & Sons.

According to the gent at the booth, they are rare and they probably made less than 200 of them. He said they were a real PITA to produce, to paraphrase him. :cool:
 
Interesting piece you have there! When I was 12, I saved up mowing yards all summer to buy a T/C .50 Hawken kit, and still have it to this day. I like how the handle resembles the stock, and even has the little brass patch box in the handle.
 
Inspiribomb said:
Interesting piece you have there! When I was 12, I saved up mowing yards all summer to buy a T/C .50 Hawken kit, and still have it to this day. I like how the handle resembles the stock, and even has the little brass patch box in the handle.
Click to expand...

Yes, that part was the part he said had been a real PITA to do in fact. I will probably put it up for sale now that I know the details, if interested.
 
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