Any Knife Experts/Collectors Here?

[ToddsPoint]

A friend bought this knife for $45 at some military show. He was told it was a Kinfolks WW2 fighting knife. The knife *looks* like a Kinfolks knife, except it is double edged. The blade has no markings at all, which I thought was unusual. I can't find a double edge Kinfolks anywhere. The sheath is no doubt a Kinfolks sheath for a double edge knife but this knife doesn't fit right. It lacks 1/2" of going all the way in the sheath, and it's also too thick and wide for the sheath and has ripped it on one side. To me, the knife doesn't go with this sheath, but what do I know? Any help here would be appreciated. Thanks, Gary

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Does NOT appear to be an M3 Kinfolks Incorporated - Knives of Quality and Distinction

 

[Bruce R]

Obviously a home made knife.

 

[ARC]

 

[gunsil]

Sheath is not for a double edge knife, Kinfolks never made one. Sheath is for a "bowie hunter" type of knife. Knife itself looks like some of those made here in the USA for troops by small home shops or possibly made in theater during WW2 by soldiers or sailors. It is quite short for a true "fighting" knife.

 

[ARC]

Guard on yours has been changed... and blade seems odd.

 

[ToddsPoint]

View attachment 1692324

Where did that pic come from AARC? Is that a Kinsfolk knife? The knob on the end is identical and it looks like it is also double edged. Gary

 

[ARC]

No... WW2 fighting knife.

 

[ARC]

That pommel is it though... is it not ?

 

[gunsil]

It is NOT. Similar but not identical. The knife AARC shows is a well known WW2 knife but nobody knows who made it, I have a couple of them. OP knife is by a different maker I think, there were many guys making knives for soldiers in the early war days. All Kinfolks knives will have a maker's mark on the blade. Besides knives marked with the Kinfolks logo, Kinfolks made knives for Case, Cattaraugus, Shapleigh Hardware, Marion Tool Co, LL Bean, and many other retailers and wholesalers and these contract knives will be marked with the contract company's name rather than the Kinfolks name. There are some Kinfolks M3 knives with KI for Kinfolks on the guard rather than the blade, but this is only on later M3 knives.

 

[Terry Soloman]

It is NOT. Similar but not identical. The knife AARC shows is a well known WW2 knife but nobody knows who made it, I have a couple of them. OP knife is by a different maker I think, there were many guys making knives for soldiers in the early war days. All Kinfolks knives will have a maker's mark on the blade. Besides knives marked with the Kinfolks logo, Kinfolks made knives for Case, Cattaraugus, Shapleigh Hardware, Marion Tool Co, LL Bean, and many other retailers and wholesalers and these contract knives will be marked with the contract company's name rather than the Kinfolks name.

Gene knows his stuff - Great Info!

 

[ToddsPoint]

Thanks for all the great info. I was skeptical as soon as I tried to put it in the sheath. It was obvious it didn't fit right, plus no marking on the blade. I think my friend was a victim of wishful thinking. Thanks for the help. Gary