I find that knowing the story behind a knife makes collecting and ownership more enjoyable. Sometimes we luck out and get the personal story of first purchase and ownership from the original buyer, but most often not. Then it takes a bit of sleuthing to get the full story, particularly with privately branded knives (SFO’s or “Special Factory Orders”
. Who made the knife and for whom? When did they make it and what were they trying to achieve during the market that prevailed at the time?
I recently bought such a knife. The stamping is currently not very popular among those who know, or don’t know it’s origins, much like the Sears Craftsman knives were a few years ago. The marking is KENT - N.Y. CITY - U.S.A.
As you can see, this is a fixed blade hunting or "Sportsman's" pattern knife, far less common than the Kent pocket knives.
Now, most of us know that few, if any knives were actually manufactured in New York City, though there did exist a section of one street known as “Cutler’s Row” where many importers, jobbers, and manufacturers had their offices located.
When we look up the mark in Goins Encyclopedia Of Cutlery Markings (1998), we see that he attributes the mark to A. Kastor & Brothers (Camillus) as used on knives manufactured circa 1931-1955 for F. W. Woolworth.
Until today, I couldn't be certain that this particular Kent Sportsman hunting knife was made by Camillus. Today, Tom Williams confirmed that it is a "#5665 pattern that was introduced in 1939".
Michael