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I used to fish with a fellow who was in the combat engineers in WW2 and he carried a 5 in. Marbles Ideal. Never heard him mention a pocketknife but I'm sure he carried one.
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WWI & WWII pocket knives also what did these great gentlemen carried after the wars..
- Thread starter mudguard
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The "old guys" I knew as a child were largely WWI vets. Many of them--a drinking club of sorts--carried "spoon knives" or "Red Cross" knives (Camillus #9511 or similar from other makers). One of them had even fought for the Kaiser, but his buddies got him one somewhere. Most of the other WWI vets I knew tended to carry E-Os or "gimme knives"; the E-Os because even with arthritis they could open them, the "gimme knives" because they were cheap and met their needs.
A lot of the WWII vets I knew/know now carried/carry E-Os when they can find them. Stockman and pen knives are also common, and there are a few well-worn TL-29s. A couple of them carry modern "one-handed" knives due to their arthritis. One fell in love with a small Case sodbuster I'd re-worked to suit myself, so he has that now.
A lot of the WWII vets I knew/know now carried/carry E-Os when they can find them. Stockman and pen knives are also common, and there are a few well-worn TL-29s. A couple of them carry modern "one-handed" knives due to their arthritis. One fell in love with a small Case sodbuster I'd re-worked to suit myself, so he has that now.
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And kudos to you for that. Awesome.
No big thing, the knife was just an experiment on my part. I'd already converted it to E-O. When I wondered how ivory was to checker, it was handy so I re-scaled it just to have something to checker. I'd have worn it out in a few years at most; instead, it will make a friend happy for his remaining years, and has already been promised to his great-grandson.
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To my knowledge, I have no WWI veterans in my family tree.
My dad and both his brothers served in the U. S. Navy during WWII.
Dad was an electrician's mate on a transport that circum-navigated the globe more than once. They continued to move troops from Europe after war's end and he didn't get out until January, 1946.
He worked as an electrician for the rest of his life, firstly in business for himself (which failed), then with a large fabricating company.
I'm reasonably sure he had a wood handled TL-29 he brought home from the war, but it's long gone. I have the last work knife he used though, a black plastic handled Camillus with a two line stamp. It's in great condition, too.
Uncle Gordon was a baker in the Navy and did that for the rest of his working life.
Uncle Lloyd's military specialty is not known to me. He was the youngest of the three.
Mom's younger brother, Ray, was injured in a non-combat related incident in north Africa that severely damaged his right hand and he was medically discharged.
My dad and both his brothers served in the U. S. Navy during WWII.
Dad was an electrician's mate on a transport that circum-navigated the globe more than once. They continued to move troops from Europe after war's end and he didn't get out until January, 1946.
He worked as an electrician for the rest of his life, firstly in business for himself (which failed), then with a large fabricating company.
I'm reasonably sure he had a wood handled TL-29 he brought home from the war, but it's long gone. I have the last work knife he used though, a black plastic handled Camillus with a two line stamp. It's in great condition, too.
Uncle Gordon was a baker in the Navy and did that for the rest of his working life.
Uncle Lloyd's military specialty is not known to me. He was the youngest of the three.
Mom's younger brother, Ray, was injured in a non-combat related incident in north Africa that severely damaged his right hand and he was medically discharged.
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When I was growing up in the 50,/60s I knew no one who had an interest in knives and just about as many who would talk about the war. I think times then were so grim they just wanted to forget it all. So it's great to read this thread and learn about the folks who would talk about it.
My Mom's father served in the USN 1915-1922. Dad's father served in the U.S. Army 1916/7-1919. Dad served in the USN 1942-1967. They all carried pocket knives but nothing fancy. This was my Mom's father's last knife.
A couple of mementos of both world wars from the same grandfather. USN during the First World War. Civilian engineer at Oak Ridge during the Second World War. Mom worked admin at Oak Ridge toward the end of the war too but didn't receive a lapel pin.
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Well - I will jump in here.
My dad was US Army Air Corp during WWII. Non-com aircraft mechanic. What little he divulged he distantly spoke of later in life. As if he finally wanted to share some of his experiences with his family after so much time. All I know is his group moved up through Africa to Italy supporting the allied invasion.
The knife I remember, which is now lost to time and youthful indifference, was a smallish two bladed peanut like knife - a clip and pen blade. I have no idea how he came about owning it or it's history. As I recall - it had beautiful light chestnut jigged bone scales and very patinated blades. The knife seemed to be in excellent condition but he never carried it that I saw. I always imagined that he had it through his tour in the service. He kept it in a box in a drawer with his old uniform chevrons, pins, ribbons and pictures from the war. Beautiful old b&w images of aircraft and the men who kept them flying.
My dad was US Army Air Corp during WWII. Non-com aircraft mechanic. What little he divulged he distantly spoke of later in life. As if he finally wanted to share some of his experiences with his family after so much time. All I know is his group moved up through Africa to Italy supporting the allied invasion.
The knife I remember, which is now lost to time and youthful indifference, was a smallish two bladed peanut like knife - a clip and pen blade. I have no idea how he came about owning it or it's history. As I recall - it had beautiful light chestnut jigged bone scales and very patinated blades. The knife seemed to be in excellent condition but he never carried it that I saw. I always imagined that he had it through his tour in the service. He kept it in a box in a drawer with his old uniform chevrons, pins, ribbons and pictures from the war. Beautiful old b&w images of aircraft and the men who kept them flying.
Old Hunter
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Reading this thread is very interesting; I know some history about my uncles and their military service, I even know what firearms they hunted with after the war and some of that history (I own two of their shotguns) but I know nothing of their knives - what a shame. OH
Mom's side;
Uncle Rich - WW-I US Army truck driver in the USA, WW-II US Army Infantry in North Africa.
Uncle Charles - Naval Aviator - WW-II.
Dad's side;
Uncle Charles - WW-II, USA, Third Army, Europe.
Uncle Roscoe - WW-II, USA, Fort Bragg.
Uncle Bill - WW-II, 15th AAF, North Africa & Italy (bombing missions over Romania/Bulgaria/Italy areas).
Uncle Jesse, Banana Wars, USMC - late 1920's & early 1930's.
Cousin Mac, Korea, USA Field Artillery, 24th INF DIV - (I have his GO pistol from far later in his career).
My Dad's US Army service was in Japan right after the Korean War (I was born while he was gone) - I do have a M-4 Imperial bayonet he brought home. I carried the M-4 in OIF and I have my own Kabar Stockman that I carried there in 2003. I wish I had more of them or at least knew what they carried; sadly all but my Dad and Cousin Mac are gone now.
Ps My Dad had two TL-29 pocketknives that he kept in his tool box when I was a boy, I remember using them. One had smooth black handles, the other smooth brown handles - I asked him about them a few years ago - he said they are long gone.
Mom's side;
Uncle Rich - WW-I US Army truck driver in the USA, WW-II US Army Infantry in North Africa.
Uncle Charles - Naval Aviator - WW-II.
Dad's side;
Uncle Charles - WW-II, USA, Third Army, Europe.
Uncle Roscoe - WW-II, USA, Fort Bragg.
Uncle Bill - WW-II, 15th AAF, North Africa & Italy (bombing missions over Romania/Bulgaria/Italy areas).
Uncle Jesse, Banana Wars, USMC - late 1920's & early 1930's.
Cousin Mac, Korea, USA Field Artillery, 24th INF DIV - (I have his GO pistol from far later in his career).
My Dad's US Army service was in Japan right after the Korean War (I was born while he was gone) - I do have a M-4 Imperial bayonet he brought home. I carried the M-4 in OIF and I have my own Kabar Stockman that I carried there in 2003. I wish I had more of them or at least knew what they carried; sadly all but my Dad and Cousin Mac are gone now.
Ps My Dad had two TL-29 pocketknives that he kept in his tool box when I was a boy, I remember using them. One had smooth black handles, the other smooth brown handles - I asked him about them a few years ago - he said they are long gone.
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I have no personal story to go with these knives but they are WWI Canadian GI issue. The first was made by Thomas Turner & the second by George Wosteholm. I hope they are of interest.
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Grandfather Caldwell served in the Army during WW I. Afterwards was a teacher then Rural Route carrier for the Post Office. Grew up in Arkansas, loved the outdoors, especially fishing. Here's the knives I most associate with him. Remember him coating the Western with oil before and after every trip, Will Rogers didn't fare as well.
Dad served as a butcher in the Navy in WW II. He was 6' 3", lied about his age to get in a few months before the war ended. The fixed blade didn't come with this handle, he broke off the original probably using it as a hammer, same fate he bestowed on the Case during his years on the Rock Island.
Dad served as a butcher in the Navy in WW II. He was 6' 3", lied about his age to get in a few months before the war ended. The fixed blade didn't come with this handle, he broke off the original probably using it as a hammer, same fate he bestowed on the Case during his years on the Rock Island.
My Mom's father served in the USN 1915-1922. Dad's father served in the U.S. Army 1916/7-1919. Dad served in the USN 1942-1967. They all carried pocket knives but nothing fancy. This was my Mom's father's last knife.
That is sooo typical of the men of that generation. They went through a depression, fought WW2, and went on to be the greatest generation in accomplishment. But they carried on with very modest cutlery in their pockets, that was as modest as the men themselves. They often did the impossible, but later in life you could not get them to even talk about it.
We will never see their like again!
Will Power
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Really fine knife that meako, those tip bolsters are excellent on the frame. Wish you could get a new Traditional like that!:thumbup:
I'm sure it is typical of a useful small slim Pen Knife that would've been carried by large numbers of soldiers of many armies. Sticking with this theme, the WW1 issue knives that smiling-knife showed are well known amongst British troops and those of the Empire, also made for the US Army. From photographs I've seen, it's clear that in addition to these practical issue knives, Word War One troops carried their own personal pocket knives in all shapes and sizes but I suspect that meako's example would be typical of a handy small Pen Knife used for light tasks, pipes,cigars, post etc. You can imagine French soldiers carrying the equivalent Laguiole style and German/Austrians their own bone or horn handled knives or Mercators.
I'm sure it is typical of a useful small slim Pen Knife that would've been carried by large numbers of soldiers of many armies. Sticking with this theme, the WW1 issue knives that smiling-knife showed are well known amongst British troops and those of the Empire, also made for the US Army. From photographs I've seen, it's clear that in addition to these practical issue knives, Word War One troops carried their own personal pocket knives in all shapes and sizes but I suspect that meako's example would be typical of a handy small Pen Knife used for light tasks, pipes,cigars, post etc. You can imagine French soldiers carrying the equivalent Laguiole style and German/Austrians their own bone or horn handled knives or Mercators.