New'ish to collecting... ? about Utica Cutlery

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
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Okay, first off... much thanks to you all... I have been visiting this site as a guest, and you folks have helped me sooo much already! :-) Now for a little background... My name is Jimmy and I am 47 yrs old. Though I, like most of you, owned many a pocket knives as a kid, it is only within the past year that I have begun collecting them as a hobby. My intention is to collect current production American made pocket knives, and maybe in the future collect some vintage specimens. I currently own some examples from Utica, Queen, Buck, Case (in both ss and cv), and Canal Street. I will, as money becomes available, be getting into some GEC models as well. My question is concerning the current Utica Cutlery/Kutmaster Catskill series knives. I have read good and bad reviews on these knives. Truth is, I was able to hand pick mine, they being available from a local sporting goods store. I can certainly see why they get mixed reviews, since I myself did see how one would be nice, another not so much. Again, mine were hand picked, so I did well, and I am happy with the six specimens I own. My question is on Utica and their manufacturing of these knives. It seems like they (Kutmaster) were pretty much out of the game of making such knives... importing much of their stuff, and maybe a little making of some tools and knives here in the US. That said, are these latest traditional pocket knife offerings really being made in house, or are they contracted out to another firm. I do know the packaging specifically says USA made... and under a Union labor force. But, whether they are made in Utica NY.. or made by another firm under contract, I don't know. Anyone here have the full story on these?
 
Hi, Rick... and yes, I knew that, but thanks. I understand they still exist as a company, but also know much of what they offer is imported. I am not too convinced that they still operate traditional pocket knife prodiction out of their Utica factory. Again, I do know that the Kutmaster and Utica names are still operative, but am wondering as to these current offerings being in house production, or maybe something made for them, maybe like made by Bear & Sons, or something other company like that. Maybe I get lucky and get someone that is involved in manufacturing them to give me the inside scoop.
 
If you go to their website they'll tell you which are USA made. It used to be that "Kutmaster" was reserved for the ones made on Noyes St, but I don't think that's still the case.
 
Nice knife, Rick :-) As for the current Utica Catskill and their other traditional knife series, there is no doubt that they are US made... but we all know that stamping them on the blade with 'Utica', does not make them a definite made in Utica NY... They being branded Utica only guarantees them being products branded Utica, and though they are US made, it could be they are done by one of the other remaining American knife firms under contract. I do wish I knew someone working at Kutmaster/Utica Cutlery... I'd surely pick their brain a little ;-)
 
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I recall a discussion of this last year maybe. I don't recall any evidence that Kutmaster was actually manufacturing any pocketknives themselves in the Utica factory.

Some clues are found in the Google maps street view and satellite images. The building is massive. On the front side are maybe twenty vehicles, and stacks of pallets are visible. The main parking lot, in the rear, appears empty in satellite pictures but in Street View has about twenty cars. A UPS semi truck is even visible from certain views.

So perhaps there are more employees than one would expect simply at a distribution and administration facility?
 
Hmmm... very interesting, Bob... thanks :-) So one is left to wonder, are they having things still being made there, or is it just a location that once was a manufacturing plant. One wonders if all they now do is bring in and ship out things that are made for them, here and abroad, like the Browning company does...having things made to their specs, then just shiping stuff out. I actually read somewhere on this forum that a person living near the Kutmaster/Utica factory had read that in recent years the production had seemingly been stopped there... but I do not know for sure one way or the other... hence my question here today :-)
 
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Btw.. I live only a few miles from the old Camillus Factory (now pretty much leveled). I gave Camillus knives out as gifts, and never kept one for myself.... could kick myself now, UGH!!!! LOL! ;-)
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
Btw.. I live only a few miles from the old Camillus Factory (now pretty much leveled). I gave Camillus knives out as gifts, and never kept one for myself.... could kick myself now, UGH!!!! LOL! ;-)
Click to expand...

I kept waiting for the big Camillus closeout sales, like with Schrade's bankrupcy. But it seems Camillus was so far behind on production there wasn't much surplus or overstock. Even before they closed I recall shortages of their popular lines, like the Beckers. I bought a couple anyway, but ended up paying at least regular retail prices.
 
Yeah... It is amazing how America had so many factories that produced pocket knives... all but a few are now gone. That's one of the reasons I got started in this new hobby.. my noticing how the traditional Amrican pocket knife has almost went the way of the DoDo bird. No guarantee the remaining firms will stay in business in the years to come, but I for one will try to help them out :-)
 
Fortunately, we do have some good choices remaining. Great Eastern, Canal Street, and Queen make very good pocketknives. Better than the average Camillus, that's for sure. And many modern specimens are just as good as the great vintage brands. :thumbup:
 
I have a set of Utica trappers that are marked usa made.I always thought they were Bear contract knives.
 
From the website:

Today, Utica's KUTMASTER division manufactures and imports a wide range of pocket, lockback, fixed blade, and liner lock knives. KUTMASTER holds patents on several multi purpose tools which are manufactured in Utica, New York. In addition to folding knives a wide array of cutlery and picnic sets are offered in both set and kit configurations. The KUTMASTER division services the Sporting Goods marketplace, as well as Hardware, and Advertising Specialty industry. A number of products are manufactured in Upstate N.Y. under private label arrangements for a wide range of customers.

So, some knives are manufactured at the Utica factory, and some are contracted, but still made in NY state? I wonder if you called the phone number listed on the site, you could get more info about the Catskill, Big Pine, and Adirondack lines of pocketknives? If you do, let us know.

I have one small stockman from them and I like it a lot. Fit and finish isn't perfect, but for a user, it's pretty good quality. Reminds me of the old Camillus.
 
I would just call and ask... but they (Kutmaster/Utica) have already left me frustrated with them not responding to questions before. I was interested in buying one of their wooden display cases they show on their website. I called them various times, each time leaving my contact info and what I was needing info on. They never responded. So, I tried contacting them, multiple times via email... again no response. It actually bothered me so much that their customer service was so lacking, that I stopped buying their knives. I had already purchased 7 knives (6 that I kept and 1 given to someone as a gift) when that decision was made. Toobad, I liked them enough to have wanted to get some of their green boned series... but nah... Customer service needs to be shown, or I fade away my business towards them. Again, my 6 current Utica specimens are very nice indeed. That said, these are definitely ones you want to handle in carefully inspect prior to purchasing. Not doing so, my guess is that you have a 50/50 chance of not being happy. When they get it right, they get it pretty darned right... but.. well, you know! ;-)
 
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